In the middle of a so-so section of Washington Heights, right next to the C-Town, there is a staircase. Walk up the staircase and you’ll find one of the most curious blocks outside of the West Village, Sylvan Terrace:
Sylvan Terrace was orignally the carriage lane leading to the Morris-Jumel Mansion. This house has a tremendous history. It was home to a British Industrialist (A Mr. Morris) who fled once the revolution started. It was then General Washington’s home during his stay in New York during the revolution. It later became the home of the Jumel family, the most famous being the matron, Eliza. Eliza started life as a prostitute and wound up, at age 80-something, a doyenne of society. Along the way, she married Aaron Burr. More on this curious woman here.
You can see Yankee Stadium through the trees in front of the mansion.
The Morris-Jumel Mansion is said to be the oldest private residence in New York City.
Washington’s bedroom:
Aaron Burr’s bedroom:
Eliza Jumel et fils.
In this dining room, on July 10, 1790 (that’s 215 years ago TODAY!) there was a much talked about dinner party. At this table sat George & Martha Washington, Alexander Hamilton, John Adams, John Quincy Adams, Thomas Jefferson and Henry Knox. And this table is a FUCKING BLOCK AWAY FROM C-TOWN. How COOL is THAT?!?!?!??!?!
