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“The Society of the Colonial Dames of the State of New York, which holds its annual meeting and election of officers tomorrow, will congratulate itself that the latest and largest of the many works it has undertaken since its incorporation, in 1803, is well under way in the Van Cortlandt mansion, which it is preparing for a Museum of Colonial History.”
“The Society of the Colonial Dames of the State of New York, which holds its annual meeting and election of officers tomorrow, will congratulate itself that the latest and largest of the many works it has undertaken since its incorporation, in 1803, is well under way in the Van Cortlandt mansion, which it is preparing for a Museum of Colonial History.”
"Work of Colonial Dames: Conversion of the Van Cortlandt Mansion into a Museum of Colonial History,” New York Times, April 4, 1897.
Built in 1748, the Van Cortlandt House housed the family of Frederick Van Cortlandt until 1889. In 1897, it became the first Historic House Museum in New York State - thanks to the efforts of The National Society of Colonial Dames in the State of New York.
Built in 1748, the Van Cortlandt House housed the family of Frederick Van Cortlandt until 1889. In 1897, it became the first Historic House Museum in New York State - thanks to the efforts of The National Society of Colonial Dames in the State of New York.
Fritz E. Bjorkman. Van Cortlandt House, Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx, N.Y., ca. 1915. Glass negative. Herman A. Blumenthal Photograph Collection, New-York Historical Society.
In the year 1895, a group of women began to consider the possibility of acquiring the historic Van Cortlandt House, with the intention of establishing it as a colonial history museum.[1] Those women were members of a group known as The National Society of Colonial Dames in the State of New York. Their idea to establish the house as a museum was somewhat novel, and entirely unprecedented in New York State.[2] The Dames envisioned repairing, restoring, and maintaining Van Cortlandt House’s exterior and interior - all at a great expense. Furthermore, they desired to operate the house as a museum, caring for and exhibiting its impressive collections.[3]
In the year 1895, a group of women began to consider the possibility of acquiring the historic Van Cortlandt House, with the intention of establishing it as a colonial history museum.[1] Those women were members of a group known as The National Society of Colonial Dames in the State of New York. Their idea to establish the house as a museum was somewhat novel, and entirely unprecedented in New York State.[2] The Dames envisioned repairing, restoring, and maintaining Van Cortlandt House’s exterior and interior - all at a great expense. Furthermore, they desired to operate the house as a museum, caring for and exhibiting its impressive collections.[3]
In order to achieve their lofty goal, the Dames first needed to acquire the stewardship of the house from New York City’s parks commissioners[4]. At the time, there was no legislation that would allow a private group to assume control of a publicly-owned building. Undeterred, the Society travelled to Albany to lobby their cause, and, passing with a three-fifths majority, were granted custody of the Van Cortlandt House in Chapter 837 of the 199th session of the New York State Legislature.[5]
In order to achieve their lofty goal, the Dames first needed to acquire the stewardship of the house from New York City’s parks commissioners[4]. At the time, there was no legislation that would allow a private group to assume control of a publicly-owned building. Undeterred, the Society travelled to Albany to lobby their cause, and, passing with a three-fifths majority, were granted custody of the Van Cortlandt House in Chapter 837 of the 199th session of the New York State Legislature.[5]
Charles James Turrell, Justine Van Rensselaer Townsend, 1892. Watercolor on ivory, copper alloy, silk, leather, 4 3/16 in. x 3 1/4 in. Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, Gift of Mrs. Roger Milliken. M-2944/A-B.
Mrs. Howard Townsend (maiden name, Justine Van Rensselaer), president of The National Society of Colonial Dames in the State of New York, was said to have “tireless persistence” when lobbying the New York State Legislature.[6] Townsend was born in Albany, the daughter of Stephen Van Rensselaer IV, known as the last patroon of Rensselaerswyck.[7] She served as Regent of the Mount Vernon Ladies Association from 1891 to 1909, where she was considered “instrumental” in several fundraising and preservation projects.[8] Townsend’s prior experience at Mount Vernon would prove to be a great asset in the establishment of the Van Cortlandt House Museum, as it was expected to follow a similar plan.[9]
Mrs. Howard Townsend (maiden name, Justine Van Rensselaer), president of The National Society of Colonial Dames in the State of New York, was said to have “tireless persistence” when lobbying the New York State Legislature.[6] Townsend was born in Albany, the daughter of Stephen Van Rensselaer IV, known as the last patroon of Rensselaerswyck.[7] She served as Regent of the Mount Vernon Ladies Association from 1891 to 1909, where she was considered “instrumental” in several fundraising and preservation projects.[8] Townsend’s prior experience at Mount Vernon would prove to be a great asset in the establishment of the Van Cortlandt House Museum, as it was expected to follow a similar plan.[9]
It must be noted that the vision for the Van Cortlandt House Museum originated with Mrs. Benjamin S. Church (maiden name, Mary Van Wyck).[10] Though born in Nashville, Tennessee, Church spent most of her life in New York. She was the daughter of Abraham Van Wyck, who himself was a descendant of Theodorus Van Wyck. A profile on Church published in Harper's Bazaar described her as “one of New York’s most notable women along patriotic lines.”[11] She was a founder of The National Society of Colonial Dames in the State of New York.
It must be noted that the vision for the Van Cortlandt House Museum originated with Mrs. Benjamin S. Church (maiden name, Mary Van Wyck).[10] Though born in Nashville, Tennessee, Church spent most of her life in New York. She was the daughter of Abraham Van Wyck, who himself was a descendant of Theodorus Van Wyck. A profile on Church published in Harper's Bazaar described her as “one of New York’s most notable women along patriotic lines.”[11] She was a founder of The National Society of Colonial Dames in the State of New York.
SL
A special thanks to the National Society of Colonial Dames in the State of New York for their assistance.
References
References
P. Gordon B. Stillman, One Hundred Years in New York: the Story of the First Century of the National Society of Colonial Dames in the State of New York (New York: The Society, 1996.)
“Work of Colonial Dames: Conversion of the Van Cortlandt Mansion into a Museum of Colonial History,” New York Times, April 4, 1897.
P. Gordon B. Stillman, One Hundred Years in New York.
Legislative Bill Drafting Commission, Laws of the State of New York: Volume 2 (Albany, New York: James B. Lyon, 1896), 1110.
P. Gordon B. Stillman, One Hundred Years in New York.
“Society Of Colonial Dames: Mrs. Howard Townsend Has Been Nominated for President,” New York Times, May 11, 1893.
“Justine Van Rensselaer Townsend,” George Washington's Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, 2020.
"National Society Of The Colonial Dames Of America," The American Historical Register and Monthly Gazette of the Historic, Military and Patriotic Hereditary Societies of the United States of America, April 1896, 216.
P. Gordon B. Stillman, One Hundred Years in New York.
“Mrs. Benjamin Silliman Church.” Harper's Bazaar 30, no. 24 (Jun 12, 1897): 488.
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