Leisure Activities The Coe family divided their time among Planting Fields, a New York City Townhouse, and a ranch in Wyoming.  Although they were only here for a limited time each year (the spring and the fall), their activities and interests have left a long-lasting impression. W.R. Coe showed little interest in horticulture until he bought Planting Fields.  Inspired by his friend and architect A.R. Sargent, Coe developed the grounds, improved the collection of rhododendrons, azaleas, and camellias and kept fresh cut flowers in each room of his mansion.  Mr. Coe was very interested in new technologies of horticulture as well.  He also opened the grounds to the public once or twice each spring, attracting thousands of visitors. His second passion, next to horticulture, was his racehorses.  His interest probably began when he purchased fifty yearlings with fifty other Piping Rock Racing Association members for $1,000,000.  By 1919, he was racing personal horses.  Although these race horses were housed in Kentucky, they were raced at Belmont and Saratoga.  In 1923, he purchased “The Finn” for $110,000.  This was the record price at the time for a horse soley bought as a stud.  At that time, he also owned “Pompey,” a champion two year old, and the greatest money winner that year.  Next time you are in Coe Hall, take a look up at the colors of the light in the Bar off the Den…they match Mr. Coe’s colors for his racing horses: green and white! The family enjoyed the areas of the ground closest to Coe Hall as a park and garden area.  Other activities, such as horse riding, took place farther away.  Originally a changing house for the near-by tennis courts, the Tea House provided Mai Rogers Coe with a venue to entertain her society lady friends.  Under Mai, artist Everett Shinn designed the interior and exterior murals for this Tea House.