The Hitchcock Estate, located in the Hudson Valley 100 miles north of Manhattan, is currently listed for $65 million. Known for its history as an incubator of the counterculture movement of the 1960s, the property was once home to Timothy Leary, a key figure in the LSD-evangelizing era. Leary rented the estate from the owners starting in 1963 for $1 a year, turning it into an acid commune that attracted curiosity and mystique.
Rosemary Woodruff Leary, Timothy Leary’s third wife, initially refused his invitation to stay at the Hitchcock Estate but eventually joined him in the summer of 1965. Upon her arrival, she was struck by the grandeur of the estate and its unique atmosphere. The property was filled with carved woodwork, tapestries, and other ornate decorations, and was surrounded by gardens and woods. The estate’s communal living arrangements and experimentation with psychedelic drug use were groundbreaking for the time.
Under Leary’s guidance, Rosemary embraced the communal lifestyle at Millbrook. The residents engaged in communal child-rearing, vegetarianism, and gardening, while also studying the effects of ritualized psychedelic use. The estate became a hub for scientists, philosophers, and artists seeking to challenge the psyche and transform themselves. Visitors paid to stay at Millbrook for a weekend, engaging in chores and activities to break away from their social roles.
However, the experimental paradise at Millbrook began to unravel as tensions grew between the locals and the influx of hippies and counterculture figures. The community faced legal troubles, including Leary, Rosemary, and their children being arrested for marijuana possession at the Mexico border. The estate faced backlash from the local community, leading to pressure to shut down the commune.
After a series of raids and legal issues, the Hitchcock Estate was closed, and Timothy and Rosemary relocated to California. The once-utopian vision of psychedelic living had come to an end, marking the conclusion of an era. The estate has remained in the Hitchcock family for the past 60 years, attracting interest from potential buyers due to its rich history and significance in the counterculture movement of the 1960s.
The story of the Hitchcock Estate and its time as a psychedelic commune is detailed in Susannah Cahalan’s book “The Acid Queen.” Through the experiences of Rosemary Woodruff Leary and the other residents, the book captures the essence of a unique and transformative moment in history. As the property awaits a new owner willing to take on its history and legacy, the legacy of the Hitchcock Estate as a symbol of the counterculture movement continues to fascinate and intrigue.
