Historical Preservation Tour at Armour-Stiner Octagon House in Irvington

Learn all about the restoration of this National Historic Landmark!

Recommended for ages 7+

This special one-hour guided tour tells the story of the last five decades of The Armour-Stiner Octagon House, during which it has been restored from near-ruin to its 1870s glory. Owner and preservation architect Joseph Lombardi once said that restoring The Octagon House was "like assembling a 500,000-piece jigsaw puzzle" – a task so overwhelming that many considered it impossible! While exploring the veranda and three primary floors, visitors will learn about the unbelievably detailed process of determining original interior and exterior paint colors, the magical moments of uncovering new puzzle pieces of the house’s history, and how the dome was saved from near collapse.

“Our task was not to remove all traces of age, but to hold together the fragile beauty of The Octagon House so as to keep our peace with the original builder” –Joseph Pell Lombardi, Preservation Architect and Owner

General Information

Our tours are conducted by highly trained docents and include both the exterior and interior of the home.

Tickets are required for all guests, including those under the age of 18. This experience is best suited for ages 12 and up - babies and toddlers (although delightful) are not appropriate to bring along for the tour.

Free parking is available on site, along our driveway or in the circle in front of The Octagon House, but it is limited. Please do not park on West Clinton Avenue.

We ask that you please arrive no more than 15 minutes before your tour time and depart within 15 minutes of the end of your tour. If possible, please carpool if coming as a group. This allows us to make sure all ticketed visitors have access to parking on the grounds.

The tour is not recommended for individuals who will have difficulty walking up and down three flights of stairs or those who cannot stand for extended periods of time. Unfortunately, it is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with limited mobility.

We have limited restroom facilities, so we recommend planning ahead and using the restroom before arriving at The Octagon House. Especially during busy times, our restroom may be unavailable prior to the start of your tour.

Please leave all large belongings at home or in a vehicle, including luggage, large bags, tripods, and other similar items.

Picnicking is not allowed on the grounds or the veranda, and food and drink are not allowed inside the house. Please make plans to enjoy your meal at another location, and leave these items in your vehicle while on the property.

Pets are also not allowed inside the house or on the grounds whatsoever.

Photography

Non-flash photography is allowed inside the house, and we encourage sharing your tour experience on social media. Tag us in your posts! The Armour-Stiner Octagon House can be found on Facebook and Instagram.

Please refrain from using selfie sticks, tripods, or any other photography equipment while on the tour. For more information regarding photo shoots or commercial photography, please reach out to us at info@armourstiner.com before making a reservation.

Private Home

The Octagon House is a private home. For this reason, we do not allow access to the gardens and grounds without a ticketed reservation, and certain areas of the home may not be available for viewing. We appreciate your cooperation in respecting these boundaries.

While touring, please stay with your guide and refrain from touching walls, finishes, furniture & objects. Please help us continue to preserve this magnificent home and its furnishings well into the future!

National Trust for Historic Preservation

A discount is available for members of The National Trust for Historic Preservation. For more information, please email info@armourstiner.com before making reservations.