Home Tours

Tour Glenholme, Victorian Home Featured in Movie Stepmom

Academy Award-winning actresses Susan Sarandon and Julia Roberts on set for scenes shot at Glenholme, a residence integral to plot of 1998 film

Stepmom is a masterful and uplifting weep-fest with Oscar-winning star power. The unexpected scene-stealer, however, is the lovely Victorian home owned by Jackie—the film’s divorced super-mom of two children played by Susan Sarandon. She won the Oscar for best actress in 1996 for her role in Dead Man Walking.

Named Glenholme, the home’s architecture and ambience provided what many consider an award-winning performance in a supporting role by a house.

Some of Stepmom’s most memorable scenes were shot on location at Glenholme’s magnificent gardens and wraparound porch.

The residence was built in 1854. Its cinematic three-sided wraparound porch and wonderland gardens, were featured on-location for Stepmom’s multiple exterior scenes with Jackie, her ex-husband, (Ed Harris in the role), and his new young fiancée, Isabel, played by Julia Roberts. She won the Best Actress Oscar three years later for Erin Brockovich. Stepmom’s pivotal scenes—the spurned ex-wife, the impact of divorce on children, jealousy on the part of both women, the reveal of a terrifying illness, and finally graceful reconciliation—played out largely with Glenholme as backdrop.

The patio, with built-in grill, is large enough to host a movie crew but more frequently used to entertain family and guests.

Glenholmelocated in Greater Manhattan’s charming hamlet of Nyack, New York, and an easy commute to The Big Apple—is a bucolic oasis commanding a hilltop on one-and-half acres of rolling lawns, mature hardwoods, a brook traversed by a quaint bridge and views of the Hudson River that stretch to the opposite shore and beyond.

The living room fireplace is one of six in the house; built in 1854, the rooms are still light-filled and breezy.

The home, since renovated while retaining its enduring charm, is introduced by a welcoming living room warmed by a fireplace, one of six hearths. Awash with natural light, the coffered white ceilings and multiple French doors add to the airy ambience. The adjoining dining room, with another fireplace, is further enhanced by a three-paned bay window framing the river vistas. A charming hidden passage leads to the updated country kitchen with its large center island, new appliances, and glass cabinets.

Hudson River views are on prominent display through the bank of windows in the dining room, which connects to the kitchen via a secret passage.
The country-style kitchen with top-of-the-line appliances and breakfast nook recently underwent a complete renovation.

A grand staircase leads to the second-floor landing’s intimate nook with another fireplace—fans of the movie will recognize this scene with a weakening Susan Sarandon handcrafting Christmas gifts for her children. Interior scenes from the movie were actually filmed on a set but the home is said to have inspired the design.

The staircase was the inspiration for the film’s multi-hanky finale when Jackie poignantly invites Isabel to join her family.
One can almost see Jackie curled up in front of the fire and making the Christmas presents for her two children in this cozy sitting room.

The master suite is located on this same level and includes another bay window with even more astounding water vistas from its higher vantage. Though again not filmed here, in your mind’s eye, you can see Jackie joyfully using a curling iron as her microphone to sing and dance with her two children in the bedroom and around the second-floor stair landing as “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” booms.

Interior scenes at the house were shot on a set, yet Glenholme inspired their design – the "Ain’t No Mountain High Enough" scene looks like it may have been shot here.

Glenholme’s master bathroom is now enormous, part of the renovation and nothing short of opulent with dual vanities, a generous dressing area, and a soaking tub overlooking the Hudson with complete privacy. There are five additional bedrooms in the three-story home.

The bathroom was also recently renovated as a luxury oasis with dual vanities and a soaking tub to soak in the river views.
The dressing room, another recent addition, is massive and includes multiple closets and walls of mirrors.

Going back to that bannister staircase. Who can forget Stepmom’s climatic finale? It is Christmas. Jackie is not well. Tensions between Jackie and Isabel have thawed. The newly extended family gathers to celebrate the holidays. Jackie’s ex-husband arrives with the children, drags a tree onto the porch and erects it in the living room. Isabel is there, too. The immediate family assembles on the home’s beautiful banister staircase. Isabel, a professional photographer, is at the ready behind the camera to capture the moment. Jackie stops her and invites Isabel to join in the photo at the same time, welcoming Isabel into her family. Isabel puts the camera on auto and jumps in.

The home’s architectural features add to its charm and include herringbone wood floors, coffered ceilings and artful window features.

This scene may not have been filmed on the home’s stairway, but it certainly looks like it had. This is Hollywood. Roll the credits. The home undeniably inspires movie magic.