From hidden roadside gems to quirky museums and unique natural attractions, Local Hidden Gems will highlight some of the remarkable and surprising treasures that make America special. We’ll focus on charm, surprise, and joy.

Did you know that octagonal, dome-topped Victorian homes still exist? Or that they ever existed at all?

Even the most passionate history enthusiasts will be astonished by the remarkable and distinctive The Armour-Stiner Octagon House, a privately owned residence in Irvington, New York, which is open to the public on select days.

This home provides a window into a different time when Westchester County was considered the countryside, attracting individuals from Manhattan seeking summer residences.

Dramatic in appearance, the house resembles something you’d find in Europe and is noted as the only fully-domed octagonal home globally. Its architecture includes intricately carved wooden scrollwork, ornate cast-iron details, and a palette featuring raspberry, blue, violet, gray, tan, and red tones.

Initially constructed in 1860 as a simpler octagonal home, it underwent a major transformation in 1872 by Joseph Stiner, a notable tea merchant from New York City, who designed it inspired by an ancient Roman temple. He introduced a dome resembling a cupcake, 56 columns, 280 brackets, 560 hand-carved leaves, and a porch lined with columns.

The house bears the names of Stiner and another previous owner, financier Paul J. Armour. Later owners were equally imaginative, including a Finnish explorer who reportedly shared the residence with a female pirate. There are even stories about a former tenant who is now said to haunt the premises.

As is often the case with historic homes, this one suffered neglect over the years before it was purchased in 1977 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The following year, architect and preservationist Joseph Pell Lombardi acquired the property, restored it with great care, and later penned a book on it.

What truly stands out, apart from its enchanting exterior and fascinating background, is the beautifully restored interior, with each room presenting its own unique charm. According to Michael Lombardi, who helped his father with restoration and now resides in the carriage house on the property, the 1870s furnishings embody the finest display of American neo-Roman style in existence.

The home’s interiors also feature intricate painted and stenciled ceilings, gold, silver, and bronze leaf trims, as well as eight-sided designs in the plaster, woodwork, and etched glass.

Among the most captivating spaces is the third floor’s Egyptian Revival Music Room, furnished with chairs adorned with pharaoh designs and a spinet piano detailed with hieroglyphics. Additionally, the expansive fourth-floor ballroom spans the entire width of the house and is accented by eight porthole windows that offer stunning views of the Hudson River.

With eight bedrooms and four bathrooms, this house is especially captivating during the holiday season when beautifully decorated for Halloween and Christmas.

Location: 45 West Clinton Ave., Irvington, N.Y.

For more details: Contact 914-817-5763 or visit the website at armourstiner.com.

Helpful information: Tours last one hour and cost $29, featuring options like “The Classic Tour” and “Decorative Arts.” Tours are available Thursday to Monday from April through December.

Jeanne Muchnick writes about food and dining. follow her culinary journeys on Instagram @jeannemuchnick or through the lohudfood newsletter.