Marilyn Monroe Slept Here

The drive from Nanny and Poppy’s house in Claverack to Grandma and Grandpa’s house in Hudson was about 5 miles. The route is filled with some of Columbia County’s most historic homes. It passes by the Cedar Park cemetary where all the Giffords are buried. My favorite site though, was the Marilyn Monroe house, just a few homes down the street from Nanny and Poppy’s.

The early Italianate mansion was built in 1848 as a wedding gift to Catherine Bushnell from her parents. The stately home has a colorful history of celebrated guests including Eleanor Roosevelt, Helen Hayes, and Marilyn Monroe. It was here that Marilyn was photographed hugging a tree in that iconic white dress. Whenever we passed the house I would be transported to Hollywood and images of the screen goddess would flood my mind and heart.