Inside the Front Door of New York City’s Oldest Homes
We love New York City for so many reasons. One of those reasons is its historical homes. Over the years, we’ve been fortunate enough to be the property manager for landmarked properties all over this great city. Here’s a look at the city’s oldest abodes, from the Upper East Side to Greenwich Village.
Last Home Standing
Photo courtesy of Village Preservation
All New Yorkers recognize the name Stuyvesant. The oldest building in Greenwich Village and Manhattan to be used continuously as a single-family residence was built in 1795 by Peter Stuyvesant’s great-great-grandson Nicholas William Stuyvesant at 44 Stuyvesant Street. Peter was a 17th-century Dutch colonial officer and governor of the New Amsterdam settlement that became New York City. Along with the Morris-Jumel Mansion and the Dyckman Farmhouse in Upper Manhattan, it is the only surviving residential building in Manhattan from the 18th century. It was designated as part of the St. Marks Historic District on January 14, 1969. At the time, the city’s Landmarks Preservation Commission noted: “It is impossible to over emphasize the importance of this building — historically and architecturally. It is one of only two remaining houses of the early generations of the Stuyvesant family, and it is that family name, above all others, that represents Dutch New York.”
The oldest Manhattan apartment building, built in 1879, is at 129 East 17th Street. If you watched Gilded Age on HBO, it was completed right when that era ended.
The Dyckman Farmhouse
Nestled in the serene neighborhood of Inwood, the Dyckman Farmhouse is one of Manhattan's oldest surviving structures. Built in the 18th century, it was originally constructed as a one-room structure in 1785 by William Dyckman.
Manhattan’s Oldest Surviving Home
Photo courtesy of Morris-Jumel Mansion
Located in the historic Washington Heights neighborhood, the Morris-Jumel Mansion boasts the title of Manhattan's oldest surviving house. But it’s no longer occupied, which is why we listed 44 Stuyvesant first. Built in 1765, this grand Georgian-style mansion was once the residence of Colonel Roger Morris, a British officer, and his wife, Mary Philipse. During the American Revolution, it was General George Washington's headquarters for a short time. After the American Revolution, Morris's house was confiscated by the government because he was a loyalist. It was a tavern until 1810 when Stephen and Eliza Jumel moved in. Jumel was a merchant from France, who unfortunately passed away in 1832. Rumors spread that Eliza had something to do with the untimely death of her husband. Following his death, Eliza remarried to the infamous Aaron Burr but filed for divorce in 1834. At the time she was the richest woman in New York City.
In 1903, the land and home were turned into a museum. It’s been reported that the ghost of Eliza haunts the property. Halloween might be a good time to visit because of that. It’s open for both guided and self-guided tours.
Photo courtesy of Corcoran
Ken’s West Village Dream House
Due to fires, wood-frame construction was banned in NYC in 1849, making 17 Grove in the West Village a rare survivor. It was built in 1822 and is one of the few remaining wood homes that hasn’t had its facade bricked over. Fun fact: There’s a trapdoor inside that may have been used as part of the Underground Railroad. What we do know for sure is that the tunnel was used in the 1920s as a connection to the nearby speakeasy Chumley’s. The property was renovated in the 1980s by Ken Handler, the son of Mattel co-founders Elliot and Ruth Handler and the inspiration behind Barbie’s famous Ken doll.
The Merchant's House Museum
In the heart of the East Village, the Merchant's House Museum stands as a perfectly preserved slice of 19th-century Manhattan life. Built in 1832, this red-brick Federal-style row house was the home of the Tredwell family for nearly a century. Stepping inside is like stepping into a time capsule, with the original furniture, clothing, and personal items of the Tredwell family on display.
The Merchant's House offers an intimate look at the daily lives of the city's upper-middle-class residents during the 19th century.
Ancient Upper East Side
The Gothic Victorian rowhouse at 129 East 70th Street was built during the Civil War, making it the oldest building in this Upper East Side historic district. It was completed in 1863 as one of a group of five matching homes, of which only number 129 remains. The builders were the Thorp brothers who also constructed the Park Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church and the House of the Good Sheperd on 92nd Street.
We love this city and its incredibly rich history. We hope you enjoyed getting to know the oldest parts of our favorite city and hope they’ll remain a part of the city streets for years to come.
Gary Mindlin is co-founder and owner of Top Hat Home Services, a full-service property care and management company. Top Hat services homes in Manhattan and are known as experts in every aspect of building management, maintenance and repair, as well as renovation and construction supervision.