William "Bayard" Cutting, a prominent New York City lawyer and financier along with his younger brother Robert (previously mentioned) purchased over 900 acres in the village of Oakdale from George Lorillard in 1881.

[15] Boasting 19,000 square feet, the “summer home” of William and his wife at the heart of the park, Westbrook, is modeled on a Tudor-style English country house.

[16] The interior of the 60-room mansion features large pieces of oak furniture, stained-glass windows from Louis Comfort Tiffany, and imported fireplaces.

There is also a designated shower that was built specifically for the Cutting’s friend Nobel Prize Winner Dr. Albert Schweitzer who was not a fan of baths.

Bayard began developing the grounds of his home in 1887 with the assistance of Frederick Law Olmsted with a focus on the landscape's natural beauty.

[17]Charles Sprague Sargent, director of the Arnold Arboretum in Boston, advised Cutting in developing the extensive conifer collection north of the carriage house.

[19][6] Other trees in the park included: firs, spruces, pines, hemlock, cedar and yews originating from Europe, Spain, Greece, Japan, China and Africa.

Cutting who died November 15, 1949 [22] Alterations were made to the property including the addition of bathrooms and parking lots and adding a tearoom to the main house.

[24] In keeping with the purpose of the gift, the commission decided that there would be no picnicking, bathing, horseback riding or playgrounds allowed on the property.

The Bayard Cutting Arboretum Horticultural Society, founded in 1974, donates profits of its activities to help support the Westbrook Manor.

As part of its fundraising activities, the organization operates Granny's Attic located in the lower carriage house and hosts two plant sales a year.