Gracie Mansion

In 1793 the Scottish-born Archibald Gracie settled in New York, where he established a successful mercantile business. In 1798 Gracie began purchasing land on Horn’s Hook, a small peninsula jutting into the East River at Hell Gate; here he erected a country house overlooking the river. The house was expanded in c. 1810. Gracie sold the property in 1823, and it had several owners before it was acquired by the city’s Department of Parks in 1896. By 1924 the house was converted for use by the Museum of the City of New York. A major renovation was undertaken by the architect Aymar Embury II in 1934-36, following the museum’s move to Fifth Avenue. Gracie Mansion became the official home of the mayor of New York City in 1942. Mott B .Schmidt added a west wing to the house in 1965-66, and major restoration was completed in 2003. Tours are available by reservation. From the "Guide to New York City Landmarks", courtesy of the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission.