Merchant's House Museum (New York City, New York)

 museum, interesting place, Greek Revival (architecture)

The Merchant's House Museum is New York City's only family home preserved intact — inside and out — from the 19th century. A 3.5-story Greek-revival house completed in 1832, it is constructed of red brick and white marble, and was home to a prosperous merchant family for almost 100 years.

The house was designed from a pattern by Minard Lafever for Joseph Brewster, a hatter, who sold it to Seabury Tredwell, a wealthy New York merchant, for $18,000; it became a museum in 1936, founded by George Chapman, a cousin of the family who once lived there. The building underwent a major restoration in 1971.

Complete with the family's original furnishings and personal possessions, the house offers an rare and intimate glimpse of domestic life during the pivotal era of the 19th century when New York City was transformed from a colonial seaport into a thriving metropolis and the center of U.S. commerce. In addition to its magnificent period rooms, the museum presents many performances, presentations, lectures, exhibits and special events throughout the year.

The small stoop and areaway have ornate wrought-iron railings. Ionic fluted pillars framed the door, below an ornate fanlight and grey, round-arched marble molding with a keystone. Above a detailed white roof cornice are two triangular dormers with round-arched windows. The pitched roof of the house can be seen from the side.

(212) 777-1089
Hours: Thur-Mon, 12PM-5PM
www.merchantshouse.com/

www.nyu.edu/classes/finearts/nyc/eastvil/merchants.html
www.locationdepartment.net/locations/3256
archive.org/details/artsdecoration4546newy/page/n152/mo...