Famous Colonial Houses

Chapter 11: The Jumel Mansion

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About This Book

A collection of illustrated essays profiles a dozen notable colonial-era American houses, blending architectural description, historical narrative, and local anecdote. Each chapter examines a single dwelling—from celebrated estates to lesser-known manors—covering design elements, construction history, notable occupants, ownership changes, and preservation concerns. The author relies on visits, collected lore, and period imagery to evoke the houses' atmosphere while reflecting on their role in regional history and urging appreciation and stewardship of these domestic landmarks.

The Jumel Mansion

THE JUMEL MANSION

Alone in its brittle modern neighborhood, this lovely anachronism stands on the highest point of Manhattan, untroubled, unruffled, and undisturbed except by Sunday idlers to whom its orchards are just another breathing spot. Though it was Heath’s headquarters, then housed Washington, later was captured by Howe, and was one of the smartest suburban estates of Colonial New York, it will never be forgotten as the home of a person of no military or aristocratic consequence, yet of caprice, beauty, ambition, impropriety, common sense and eccentricity—yes, a woman.