Morris-Jumel Mansion
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The Morris-Jumel Mansion, located in historic Washington Heights, is the oldest house in Manhattan. 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. 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. After the Battle of Harlem Heights, the home 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. The controversial ex-vice president Aaron Burr lived at the house briefly in the 1830s, while married to Eliza Jumel (who soon divorced him). Today, the house is lavishly decorated with period furnishings and careful reproductions of period carpets and wallpaper.
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