MORRIS-JUMEL MANSION

The 'Morris-Jumel Mansion' (also known as the 'Roger and Mary Philipse Morris House'), located in historic Washington Heights, is the oldest house in Manhattan. It served as a headquarters for both sides in the American Revolution.

Contents

Architecture

History

Today

References

External links

Architecture

It was built by Roger Morris in 1765 and reflects the Palladian style of architecture. Morris, the nephew of a successful English architect, was greatly influenced by the designs of the 16th-century Italian architect Palladio. His residence includes a monumental portico and pediment, supported by grand Tuscan columns, and a large, two-story octagonal addition at the rear. The octogan room is believed to be the first in the country.^[3]
The Morris-Jumel Mansion was featured in Bob Vila's A&E Network production,^[4] ''Guide to Historic Homes of America.''

History

Between September 14 and October 20, 1776, General George Washington used the mansion as his temporary headquarters after he and his army were forced to evacuate Brooklyn Heights after their loss to the British Army under the command of General William Howe in the Battle of Long Island.
This house is one of the major remaining landmarks of Battle of Harlem Heights, after which it became the headquarters of British Lieutenant General Sir Henry Clinton, and the Hessian commander Baron Wilhelm von Knyphausen. The Morris-Jumel Mansion later hosted many other distinguished visitors, including dinner guests John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton and John Quincy Adams.
Mr Stephen Jumel and his wife Eliza Jumel purchased the house in 1810^[5]. The Morris-Jumel Mansion later hosted many other distinguished visitors, including dinner guests John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton and John Quincy Adams. After Stephens death, Eliza married the controversial ex-vice president Aaron Burr who lived at the house briefly in the 1830s. After Burrs death in 1836, Eliza lived in the house alone until she died in 1865. In 1882, the Morris heirs broke up the 115 acres of the estate into 1058 lots.^[6]

Today

The house was purchased by New York City in 1903^[7]. Today, the house is lavishly decorated with period furnishings and careful reproductions of period carpets and wallpaper. It is open to the public as a historic house museum.

Inside the Morris-Jumel Mansion as it appears today.

References

1.
2. NHL Description
3. 'Dolkart, Andrew S. & Postal, Matthew A.; ''Guide to New York City Landmarks''', 3rd Edition; New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission; John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2004. ISBN 0-471-36900-4; p.212.
4. "Bob Vila's Guide to Historic Homes of America." Bob Vila
5. NHL Women who made history
6. 'White, Norval & Willensky, Elliot; ''AIA Guide to New York City''', 4th Edition; New York Chapter, American Institute of Architects; Crown Publishers/Random House. 2000. ISBN 0-8129-31069-8; ISBN 0-8129-3107-6. p.524.
7. NL Writeup

External links

★ Official Site

★ Washington Heights & Inwood Online

★ American Memory at the Smithsonian