Merchant's House Museum

In this month’s virtual “Death Matters” program, Matilda welcomes Bindu Lanka, Chaplain at Children’s Health Services, Plano, TX. They will discuss Hindu traditions around death, dying, and grief, recognizing geographical differences and exploring the experience of the diaspora here in the U.S. and how they bring the traditions to this country. This conversation will include a discussion of the concept of karma, so often misinterpreted, as well as reincarnation.

Bindu Lanka is a compassionate professional with a dual background in spiritual care and human resources. In addition to her work as chaplain, she is certified by the Government of India as a Yoga Wellness Instructor and is also a certified Datta Kriya Yoga teacher, integrating mind-body practices with spiritual growth.

Thursday, May 21, 6 p.m. on Zoom! The program will be recorded.

Register at https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_evdctCduSKGEaSs9zDpnxg

On May 11, 1936 -- 90 years ago today -- the Merchant's House first opened to the public. As stated in The New York Sun, "it is like stepping into another world."

When Joseph Brewster built the Merchant's House, in 1832, his design for the 4-story brick-and-marble row house mirrored the prevailing architectural style of the period. Brewster featured one notable exception in his design, however: a hidden passageway.

The narrow passageway is hidden beneath a set of built-in drawers on the Bedroom Floor. Approximately 2 feet square, it descends 15 feet down, past the Parlor Floor, and ends at the Ground Floor. The passageway is completely unique; no other 1830s houses have anything like it.

The evidence indicates that Brewster intended the passageway as a space to hide freedom-seekers in the early days of the abolitionist movement and the Underground Railroad in New York City.

The passageway is now on view.

Photos by Max Touhey.

Have you ever wanted to know how successful New Yorkers decorated their homes in the mid-19th century? Curious what furniture was in vogue? Window coverings? What floor coverings were used in various rooms? Wonder where and how they purchased their furnishings?

Join expert interior designer Dennis McAvena on Saturday, May 16, for an in-depth and behind-the-scenes exploration of the elegant interiors of Merchant’s House.

This 90-minute tour takes place outside general museum hours, ensuring an exclusive experience. Tickets at www.merchantshouse.org/calendar/reservations.

In the 19th century, people regularly exchanged letters with family members and friends, sometimes writing two or three letters a day. Notice the portable writing desk on the table, located near the window for maximum light.

People sent news, greetings, invitations, and more through the mail. Letters were carried around the world by trains, boats, and horses – or just across town by a servant or local mail carrier. When sent long distances, they could take weeks, even months, to reach their destination.

It's May! We have a full calendar of upcoming events this month, and hope to see you soon. Register online at www.merchantshouse.org/calendar/reservations.

Last week, award-winning journalist and urbanist Roberta Brandes Gratz published an op-ed in the New York Daily News, asking simply "How is it possible that New York could let its most fragile and rare three-story Greek Revival house museum be permanently damaged?"

She rightly points out that the "so-called safeguard" of vibration monitoring (which is standard in many construction projects) would be ineffective, as by the time the monitors are triggered, the damage has already taken place.

"In prior instances of serious damage even while a monitoring system was in use, by the time the Department of Buildings issued a “stop work order,” the irreversible damage was done. Do we really need to let that happen to the most fragile landmark yet?"

Link in profile to read more, with our thanks to Ms. Gratz for her support!

For the last 14 years, the Merchant's House Museum has been fighting to protect our landmark 1832 building from irreparable damage from proposed construction of a commercial office building next door. And now, with the new discovery that connects the Merchant's House to the Underground Railroad and the early abolition movement in New York City, the threat could not be more serious.

At the March 17 hearing before the Landmarks Preservation Commission, the commissioners declined to vote. Another meeting will be scheduled where the LPC may issue a decision. At that meeting, the developer will be able to respond to questions from the LPC, but neither the Museum nor members of the public will be permitted to speak.

As always, we'll keep you informed.

Happy St. Patrick's Day! The 1855 New York State Census gives us the names of the Irish women who worked in the Tredwell home: Mary James, Mary Smith, and Bridget Murphy, who was just 19 years old. While these women left no written records, their work made possible the lifestyle enjoyed by the Tredwell family and their peers. Today, and everyday, we pay tribute to them.

Photographs by Hal Hirshorn.

LPC HEARING MARCH 17 – WE NEED YOUR HELP!

After 14 years, the developer next door is back with a plan for a NEW commercial office building (their third design), one that is larger and more massive than ever before – which will result in even more serious damage to our fragile landmark building

New research has revealed that the 1832 Merchant's House is an intact site of the Underground Railroad. If the LPC approves the development, this piece of history will be gone forever. We can't let our history be destroyed!

YOU CAN HELP!

1. ATTEND the hearing on March 17
253 Broadway, 2nd Floor – arrive at 1:15 p.m.
Or, join via Zoom at 2 pm: https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1606771007?pwd=_65-YeOdHKqcepvT0ZTd9MnLpBfcUQ.h55oALRPldlIrn3H

2. TESTIFY
Tell the LPC to deny the application, and tell the City to purchase the lot to ensure the survival of the Merchant's House!

Testify in-person or via Zoom: https://forms.office.com/g/d5kKtATCyA
Submit written testimony: https://villagepreservation.quorum.us/campaign/149062/

3. SPREAD THE WORD!

Walking tours are back this month! Join us on Sunday, March 22, and Saturday, March 28, at 1:30 p.m. to explore the Tredwells’ elite neighborhood and discover what life was like for the wealthy merchant class in the mid-19th century.

Reservations recommended.