Schuyler Mansion

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Philip Schuyler Mansion
(U.S. National Historic Landmark)
Watercolor drawing from 1818
Watercolor drawing from 1818
Location: 32 Catherine Street, Albany, New York, USA
Built/Founded: 1761-1762
Architect: John Gaborial
Architectural style(s): Georgian
Designated as NHL: December 24, 1967 [1]
Added to NRHP: December 24, 1967
NRHP Reference#: 67000008

Schuyler Mansion is a historic house at 32 Catherine Street in Albany, New York, United States. The brick mansion is now a museum and an official National Historic Landmark. It was constructed from 1761 to 1762 for Philip Schuyler, general in the Continental Army and early U.S. Senator, who resided there from 1763 until his death in 1804. It was declared a National Historic Landmark on December 24, 1967.[1][2][3]

[edit] History

Schuyler began acquiring the land around the mansion site by 1760. Most of the house's construction took place while he was in England at the behest of his mentor John Bradstreet.[4] Schuyler called the home "The Pasture" because of the pasture view towards the Hudson River.[5] Schuyler and his wife raised eight of their eleven children in the house which originally included 80 acres of land. The house is also rumored to have been visited by several notable figures including George Washington and served as a host and prison to British General John Burgoyne for several days after his defeat at the Battle of Saratoga.[6] On December 14, 1780, the mansion was the site of the marriage between Alexander Hamilton and Schuyler's daughter Elizabeth.[7] On August 7, 1781, Native Americans raided the mansion in an unsuccessful Loyalist attempt to kidnap Schuyler.[8]

After Philip Schuyler's death in 1804, the land comprised over one hundred building lots which were divided among his numerous children.[4] From 1886 to 1913, the mansion served as an orphanage until the state assumed ownership.[9]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Philip Schuyler Mansion. National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service (2007-09-18).
  2. ^ Schuyler Mansion National Historic LandmarkPDF (1.14 MiB), July 26, 1985, by Constance M. Greiff, National Park Service
  3. ^ Schuyler Mansion National Historic Landmark--Accompanying 11 photos, exterior and interior, from 1967-1985.PDF (1.85 MiB), July 26, 1985, National Park Service
  4. ^ a b Schuyler Mansion at the New York State Museum web site.
  5. ^ Life Along the Hudson by Allan Keller ISBN 082321804X via Google Book Search.
  6. ^ Schuyler Mansion State Historic Site from Frommer's via The New York Times Travel Guides web site.
  7. ^ Schuyler Mansion State Historic Site at the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation web site.
  8. ^ Hudson-Mohawk Genealogical and Family Memoirs: Schuyler Vol. I, pp. 28-41, edited by Cuyler Reynolds (New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1911) via SchenectadyHistory.org.
  9. ^ History of St. Catherine's Center for Children.

[edit] External links