The House remains open during a major structural restoration. Click here to learn more.
“The Real Thing” — The New York Times
The Merchant’s House Museum is New York City’s only family home preserved intact — inside and out — from the 19th century. Built in 1832 just steps from Washington Square, this elegant red-brick and white-marble row house on East Fourth Street was home to a prosperous merchant family for almost 100 years.
Complete with the family’s original furnishings and personal possessions, the house offers a rare and intimate glimpse of domestic life in New York City from 1835-1865.
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WE’RE WORRIED!!
A developer is seeking approval to construct a 9-story (!!) hotel at 27 East 4th Street — adjacent to the house.
It overwhelms the 3 1/2 story Merchant’s House, but more important, the development poses a beyond-serious threat to the structural stability of our 1832 landmark house.
Update! At a meeting on Monday, May 14, the Landmarks Committee of Community Board 2 REJECTED the developer’s application citing the extreme fragility of the Merchant’s House and the critical need to ensure its structural stability. CB2 is also recommending the Landmarks Preservation Commission look to 4 stories, not 9 stories, as a historical context for any development.
Thanks to all who came out for the cause: 75 Museum supporters (under 100 in the room), a petition with 1,300+ signatures, a daunting line-up of preservation organizations/experts who spoke — and our heroine, Council Member Rosie Mendez.
Click here to see the proposed plans. And please sign our PETITION.
Visit us on Facebook for updates and more information.
Thank you!
Please join us! Thursday, June 7, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Annual June Benefit: A Greek Revival
Host Sponsor STUDIO SOFIELD
Join us for cocktails, fine wines, hors d’oeuvres, music, and a silent auction in the Museum’s lush 19th century garden. All proceeds from the benefit will go to implementing the Historic Furnishings Plan — reviving our Greek revival. With your help, we can start “redecorating,” just as the Tredwells did in the 1850s. Click here for the invitation.
Here’s what The New York Times says:
“The distinction of the Merchant’s House and it is a powerful one is that it is the real thing. One simply walks through the beautiful doorway into another time and place in New York.”
“Of the estimated 300 Federal houses in Manhattan, the best preserved is the 180-year-old Merchant’s House Museum.”
And … “Manhattan’s most haunted house.”