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Women played a keystone role in the preservation history of the Merchant’s House, from its earliest inception to the telling of its story.
Women played a keystone role in the preservation history of the Merchant’s House, from its earliest inception to the telling of its story.
The building now known as the “Old Merchant’s House” was built at 29 East Fourth Street in 1832. It was a fine example of “Federal” style architecture, and by 1835, was inhabited by the family of Seabury Tredwell [1]. Seabury was a wealthy wholesale hardware merchant, and a descendant of Mayflower passengers [2]. Although he passed away in 1865, the Tredwell family continuously occupied the house for nearly a century [3].
The building now known as the “Old Merchant’s House” was built at 29 East Fourth Street in 1832. It was a fine example of “Federal” style architecture, and by 1835, was inhabited by the family of Seabury Tredwell [1]. Seabury was a wealthy wholesale hardware merchant, and a descendant of Mayflower passengers [2]. Although he passed away in 1865, the Tredwell family continuously occupied the house for nearly a century [3].
Perhaps the earliest figure in the preservation of the Merchant’s House was Gertrude Tredwell. Born in 1840, Gertrude was the youngest daughter of Seabury Tredwell, and the only child born in the Old Merchant’s House [4]. Throughout her life, Gertrude was committed to preserving the house “as Papa wanted it” [5]. When she passed away in 1933, the only changes made to the house were the additions of electricity, plumbing to the second floor, and one small furnace [6]. It can be credited to Gertrude that in 1935, when The Historic Landmark Society acquired the house, it was practically unchanged since the nineteenth century [7].
Perhaps the earliest figure in the preservation of the Merchant’s House was Gertrude Tredwell. Born in 1840, Gertrude was the youngest daughter of Seabury Tredwell, and the only child born in the Old Merchant’s House [4]. Throughout her life, Gertrude was committed to preserving the house “as Papa wanted it” [5]. When she passed away in 1933, the only changes made to the house were the additions of electricity, plumbing to the second floor, and one small furnace [6]. It can be credited to Gertrude that in 1935, when The Historic Landmark Society acquired the house, it was practically unchanged since the nineteenth century [7].
“Only the Tredwells themselves are missing. The silk dresses they wore are displayed in lighted closets. Their copies of The New York Times when this newspaper was in its first decade are meticulously preserved. Sewing, set aside one day a hundred years ago, remains as it was. The best that money could buy in hats and coats, china and glassware remain. Nothing was thrown out by the family” [8].
“Only the Tredwells themselves are missing. The silk dresses they wore are displayed in lighted closets. Their copies of The New York Times when this newspaper was in its first decade are meticulously preserved. Sewing, set aside one day a hundred years ago, remains as it was. The best that money could buy in hats and coats, china and glassware remain. Nothing was thrown out by the family” [8].
The Old Merchant’s House was first opened to the public as a museum in 1936 [9]. It served as a curiosity to the public, with its “architectural richness” and original furniture establishing “interior elegance” [10]. While the museum performed considerably well for a time, it was impacted by the Depression and the death of its then-owner, George Chapman [11]. By 1965, it was reported that the landmark house would likely be demolished [12].
The Old Merchant’s House was first opened to the public as a museum in 1936 [9]. It served as a curiosity to the public, with its “architectural richness” and original furniture establishing “interior elegance” [10]. While the museum performed considerably well for a time, it was impacted by the Depression and the death of its then-owner, George Chapman [11]. By 1965, it was reported that the landmark house would likely be demolished [12].
However, The Decorators Club of New York City made a valiant effort to save the house from destruction. The club was originally formed in 1914, officially incorporated in the state of New York in 1922, and joined the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1957 [13]. The all-female organization of interior designers adopted the building in 1962, “at its time of greatest adversity” [14] The club oversaw fundraising efforts, as well as several interior restoration projects [15].
However, The Decorators Club of New York City made a valiant effort to save the house from destruction. The club was originally formed in 1914, officially incorporated in the state of New York in 1922, and joined the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1957 [13]. The all-female organization of interior designers adopted the building in 1962, “at its time of greatest adversity” [14] The club oversaw fundraising efforts, as well as several interior restoration projects [15].
The club was persuaded to take on the project by one of its members, Mrs. Cornelia Van Siclen Emerich [16]. Emerich would become chairperson of the museum committee, which also included Mrs. Anne Winkler, Mrs. Betty Ann Sherman, Mrs. Ruth Lieb, and Mrs. Ruth L. Strauss [17].
The club was persuaded to take on the project by one of its members, Mrs. Cornelia Van Siclen Emerich [16]. Emerich would become chairperson of the museum committee, which also included Mrs. Anne Winkler, Mrs. Betty Ann Sherman, Mrs. Ruth Lieb, and Mrs. Ruth L. Strauss [17].
Another member of the Decorators Club tied to the Merchant’s House is Elisabeth C. Draper, dubbed “the grand dame of interior design,” by The New York Times [18]. Of her many clients, perhaps the most notable were Former President and Mrs. Eisenhower [19]. It is said that the interior restoration of the Merchant's House was under her direction [20]. In an interview, Draper recalled “...when the Old Merchant’s House in Manhattan had to be restored, we received the commission” [21].
Another member of the Decorators Club tied to the Merchant’s House is Elisabeth C. Draper, dubbed “the grand dame of interior design,” by The New York Times [18]. Of her many clients, perhaps the most notable were Former President and Mrs. Eisenhower [19]. It is said that the interior restoration of the Merchant's House was under her direction [20]. In an interview, Draper recalled “...when the Old Merchant’s House in Manhattan had to be restored, we received the commission” [21].
Although the Decorators Club took on interior restoration, they were not equipped to handle the building’s exterior, nor the severe water damage that occured in 1967 [22]. For those repairs, the club sought the help of Joseph Roberto, an architect from New York University. Roberto's wife, Carolyn, happened to also be an interior designer. In collaboration with the club, the couple undertook a major restoration of the house in 1971 [23].
Although the Decorators Club took on interior restoration, they were not equipped to handle the building’s exterior, nor the severe water damage that occured in 1967 [22]. For those repairs, the club sought the help of Joseph Roberto, an architect from New York University. Roberto's wife, Carolyn, happened to also be an interior designer. In collaboration with the club, the couple undertook a major restoration of the house in 1971 [23].
Mr. Roberto told The New York Times in 1987, “I was asked for my advice on waterproofing the walls … and I’ve been involved ever since” [24].
Mr. Roberto told The New York Times in 1987, “I was asked for my advice on waterproofing the walls … and I’ve been involved ever since” [24].
Some believe that, despite their passion for design, the women of the Decorators Club did not impose their own tastes on the historic home’s interior [25]. Others disagree, citing their addition of a marble entrance floor as one specific anachronism [26]. However, there can be no argument about whether The Decorators Club of New York City was vital to the preservation of the Old Merchant’s House.
Some believe that, despite their passion for design, the women of the Decorators Club did not impose their own tastes on the historic home’s interior [25]. Others disagree, citing their addition of a marble entrance floor as one specific anachronism [26]. However, there can be no argument about whether The Decorators Club of New York City was vital to the preservation of the Old Merchant’s House.
The story of the Merchant’s House continued to be preserved into the twenty-first century by author and historian Mary L. Knapp. In 2012, Knapp published An Old Merchant's House: Life at Home in New York City 1835-1865, and its sequel in 2016, Miracle on Fourth Street: Saving an Old Merchant’s House.
The story of the Merchant’s House continued to be preserved into the twenty-first century by author and historian Mary L. Knapp. In 2012, Knapp published An Old Merchant's House: Life at Home in New York City 1835-1865, and its sequel in 2016, Miracle on Fourth Street: Saving an Old Merchant’s House.
“The book recounts the struggle of the founder of the museum to realize his quixotic vision, the critical intervention of an architect who devoted his life to an authentic structural restoration, and the dedication of a group of professional women who would not give up their goal of reclaiming the beauty of the original furnishings” [27].
“The book recounts the struggle of the founder of the museum to realize his quixotic vision, the critical intervention of an architect who devoted his life to an authentic structural restoration, and the dedication of a group of professional women who would not give up their goal of reclaiming the beauty of the original furnishings” [27].
The most unique quality of the Merchant’s House Museum was the preservation of its interiors and collections by last living resident, Gertrude Tredwell. Over the decades, many individuals and groups participated in its upkeep and restoration, including The Decorators Club of New York City and Carolyn Roberto. In 2012 and 2016, Mary L. Knapp published books recounting the house’s fascinating tales - both before and during its days as a museum.
The most unique quality of the Merchant’s House Museum was the preservation of its interiors and collections by last living resident, Gertrude Tredwell. Over the decades, many individuals and groups participated in its upkeep and restoration, including The Decorators Club of New York City and Carolyn Roberto. In 2012 and 2016, Mary L. Knapp published books recounting the house’s fascinating tales - both before and during its days as a museum.
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References
References
"Elegance Of 1840 Lives In Old House: Old Merchant's Home Is A New York Landmark." New York Times (1923-Current File), Apr 16, 1951.
Meyer Berger, "About New York: There's Still a Ghost of a Chance Old Merchant's House Near the Bowery may be Haunted." New York Times (1923-Current File), Nov 27, 1953.
Ada Louise Huxtable, "1832 'Village' Landmark Faces Demolition: Past is Mirrored by Merchant's House, Inside and Out Financing Needed to Forestall Sale of 4th St. Museum." New York Times (1923-Current File), Feb 18, 1965.
New York Times, 1951.
Andrew Dolkart, and New York Landmarks Preservation Commission. Guide to New York City Landmarks. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, 2008.
Robert N. Fuller, "A Landmark and Museum: 'Old Merchant's House,' Built In 1836 By Seabury Tredwell, To Be Reopened." New York Times (1923-Current File), May 03, 1936.
Ibid.
New York Times, 1951.
"Old Tredwell Home Opened as Museum: Century-Old 'Merchant's House' Near Bowery Presents Flavor of Life of a Vanished Day." New York Times (1923-Current File), May 12, 1936.
New York Times, 1936.
Huxtable, 1965.
Ibid.
“History.” The Decorators Club. Accessed April 21, 2020. https://www.thedecoratorsclub.org/history.
Ada Louise Huxtable, "A Landmark House Survives the Odds: Design Notebook." New York Times (1923-Current File), Feb 28, 1980.
Tom Miller, “The Seabury Tredwell House - 29 East 4th Street.” Daytonian in Manhattan, July 22, 2017.
“Merchant's House Museum.” New York Preservation Archive Project, 2016. http://www.nypap.org/preservation-history/old-merchants-house/.
"Party Sunday Will Aid Old Merchant's House." New York Times (1923-Current File), Dec 01, 1967.
Suzanne Slesin, "Elisabeth Draper, Grande Dame of Interior Design, is Dead at 93." New York Times (1923-Current File), Jul 08, 1993.
Rita Reif, "A Decorator Who Likes to Talk Nuts and Bolts." New York Times (1923-Current File), Oct 07, 1967.
Slesin.
John S. Elmo, Designing Women, Dialogues with Pioneering Women Designers (1850-1950). FriesenPress, 2015.
New York Preservation Archive Project.
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