221 Surrey Circle

Description

A SPORTSMAN'S LEGACY - Built in 1937 by Dunbar Bostwick for his young family, SUNNY OAKS was one of the last of the winter estates to be constructed and was originally part of a huge complex covering 120 acres. Included was the Aiken Mile Track and the Bostwick polo field on Powderhouse which provided 6 stables with 89 stalls, training tracks for steeplechase and harness racing, a blacksmith shop, plus boarding facilities for support staff. A true Renaissance Man, Dunbar was a 1932 graduate of Yale where he distinguished himself as an accomplished ice hockey player. Also a private pilot, he later served on the Army Air Force's planning staff for the Normandy invasion, returning after the war as a Lt. Colonel with a Bronze Star. His love of breeding, training, and racing standard-bred trotters led him to create facilities promoting a variety of equine activities that could be enjoyed by all of the people in the community. This vision, paired with the generosity of other Winter Colony families, has proved to have a long lasting influence on the popularity and economy of Aiken. In contrast to the involvement in his varied interests, his home was designed to be a comfortable place to relax with his wife, Electra, their 4 daughters, his large extended family, and many friends & business associates. It's exterior design is a simplified Georgian style...traditional brick exterior featuring symmetrical windows, shutters, columns, and dormers. Classic proportions are seen throughout the interior spaces with high ceilings, a wide entry hall, a gracefully curved floating staircase, generously sized rooms with a total of 5 fireplaces, and extensive crown and other decorative molding. In addition to light from the many full length windows and doors, there are 4 large skylights and 7 barrel shaped dormers that provide light to the upper level throughout the day. Within the living space are 5 large suites: one on the main level for guests; upper level with a dressing room and seperate his & hers baths for the owner, plus 3 additional ones for family or guests. There are also 5 smaller rooms that could be utilized as a nanny's suite, a home office, an exercise room, or for seasonal storage. A second staircase leads from this area down to the kitchen/ laundry area. Other features include: a covered patio off the LR that overlooks the expansive back yard; a covered side porch off the kitchen; a concrete partial basement/workshop/wine cellar/storage area with interior and exterior access; a simple 14' X18' greenhouse structure; and a 2 room playhouse/studio with a fireplace and water.service. (Both need some work). Dunbar sold the property in 1965 to Burt Poston, a young local attorney, and for the past 57 years, 3 more generations have been nurtured within it's strong walls. With the exception of the kitchen, which was renovated and enlarged in 2018, the Postons chose to retain most of the original fixtures and finishes as an homage to the home's historical significance. Part of the enchantment of the house is to imagine all the interesting and influential people who may have visited and had a positive influence on Aiken, so that the generous contributions of the Bostwick family will carry on into the future.