While researching my bachelor's essay on the Aiken-Rhett House I discovered the Seabury Tredwell House, or the Merchant House Museum in New York City. While there I made it my mission to see this period 1830s Greek Revival townhouse.
The home in its original context during the 1930s...
Sadly both homes on either side have been demolished leaving a vacant lot to the right and a garage building to the left...
The impressive door surround which was my initial reason for researching this home...
A near identical example at the Aiken-Rhett House which was added in the 1830s, contemporaneous with the construction of the Merchant House...
Original cast and wrought iron gas street lamps reminded me of similar examples in Charleston as well...
A similar street lamp at the Primrose House, 332 East Bay Street, Charleston, South Carolina...
The ceiling of the entrance vestibule... love the marbleized wall finish
While I was there the staircase was covered for renovations, but after the docent described the newel post it reminded me of something... 
The staircase from The Heiress, 1949, starring Olivia de Havilland... a must see film that documents 1830s New York society... there's no way the set for her home was not based on this building
An original gasolier, curtain rods, and furnishings occupy the dining room and parlor...
The parlor of the Seabury Tredwell House in the 1930s... 
... and Olivia de Havilland in the parlor of the set of The Heiress... note the similar columns (pilasters were common features around pocket doors, but full dis-engaged columns were rare) and the similarly paneled pocket doors.
This house is a fascinating glimpse into 1830s New York... a must see while you're there; there's nothing else like it in the city.
The film "The Heiress" was based on the play by the same name which was adapted from the Henry James novel, WASHINGTON SQUARE. In the film, there are some loose visual references to the mews and stables behind the townhouse as well as the park across the street. There is still a row of Greek Revival townhouses on the north side of Washington Square park, but they are now owned by New York University; the facades are intact but the interiors have been adapted to institutional use. The stables/carriage houses on the mews were converted to very desirable artistic private homes. But you are right that the period is the same as The Old Merchant House.
ReplyDelete__ The Devoted Classicist
can comment now... hope this helps your other readers as well. woah... sounds like great things are in the works for you. I wish you tons of success. as a regular groupie of a on a, perhaps I will run into you and yours next week. have a great time at the concert...donna
ReplyDeleteI'm ecstatic that worked! Hopefully we will see each other! Thanks!!!
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