Governor's House (Governors Island)
The Governor's House, also known as Building 2, is a historic house on Governors Island in New York City. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.
Governor's House | |
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Location | Governors Island, New York, New York |
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Coordinates | 40°41′27″N 74°0′48″W |
Area | less than one acre |
Built | 1805–1813 |
Architectural style | Georgian |
NRHP reference No. | 73001217[1] |
NYCL No. | 0545 |
Significant dates | |
Added to NRHP | April 26, 1973 |
Designated NYCL | September 19, 1967 |
The Governor's House was built c. 1805–1813, during the War of 1812 and was originally known as the Guard House.[2][3] It is the oldest structure on the island that is not a fortification,[3][4] but contrary to popular misconception, is not the Colonial Governor's Mansion, which was built in 1702.[4] Building 2 was commanding officers' quarters between 1822 and 1843, then was used the main guard house and post commanding officers' quarters until the 1920s.[4] The building was then used as officers' quarters by 1922.[4] A brick annex was built to the south in 1939.[2]
The Governor's House is a two-story Georgian brick structure. The footprint is similar to a Greek Cross, and the gable roof projections, covered with asphalt, intersect at the center of the "cross". The entrance portico contains Ionic columns under an entablature, with a paneled wooden door behind a transom, and is accessed by a concrete-upon-brick stoop.[3] At the entrance portico above the second story is a small lunette window.[2] The windows around the house are six-over-six, double-hung, with brownstone windowsills. The east-side annex has a Colonial Revival doorway and cast stone sills.[3]
References
- "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
- Edwards and Kelcey Engineers, Inc. (November 4, 1998). Governors Island Disposition of Surplus Federal Real Property: Environmental Impact Statement. p. 244.
- Hansen, Laura; Pearson, Marjorie (June 8, 1996). "Governors Island Historic District" (PDF). City of New York; New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. p. 49 (PDF p. 54).
- "National Register of Historic Inventory - Nomination Form For Federal Properties: Governors Island". United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. February 4, 1985. p. 7.
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