09/19/2025
Julia Brown, Chrissy McCurdy and Joyann King Michael take Basil and Bridget for a walk at Wethersfield Estate and Garden… Outtakes from yesterday’s QUEST OCTOBER 2025 SHOOT in Millbrook and Beford, NY!
First stop was The Thorne Center, being planned as a community hub and cultural center that will provide programs for film, technology, culinary arts, education and more. It is located in the historic Thorne Center, a landmark building gifted to the village in 1895.
We then made our way to Wethersfield Estate and Garden, which came to life in 1937 thanks to the vision of Chauncy Stillman (November 9, 1907 – January 24, 1989). The businessman, philanthropist, art collector and conservationist was also an avid equestrian who discovered the beauty of rural Dutchess County while riding through the Millbrook Hunt. He created Wethersfield by purchasing two farms in Amenia, New York, and naming them after his family’s first home in America from 1705, Wethersfield, Connecticut. In alignment with Chauncy Stillman’s original vision, Wethersfield still incorporates more than 20 miles of horse trails in and around its grounds for public enjoyment.
Next up we headed to Bedford, New York, where we visited Alex Hamer, a leading show jumper who owns and runs Buxton Farms and Show Stables. We joined Alex at his magnificent barn and stable for a walk with gentle George the horse, who could not have been sweeter. Like Alex, George is handsome and humble (and also hilarious). George’s pal, Blue, a white horse, peeked out of the barn to say, “Hello” and share a noze-nuzzle with George.
Our final destination was John Jay Homestead State Historic Site, once home to John Jay Homestead. With it’s rolling hills, majestic barns and remarkable gardens, as well as John Jay’s restored Federal-style house, the site was picturesque on a cloudless day, to say the least. We can see why—after 27 years of service to his state and nation—John Jay looked forward to the day when he would retire with his wife and family—as he said himself, to “the house on my farm in Westchester County.”