Governor's House (Governors Island) Explained

Governor's House
Location:Governors Island, New York, New York
Coordinates:40.6908°N -74.0133°W
Built:1805–1813
Architecture:Georgian
Added:April 26, 1973
Area:less than one acre
Refnum:73001217
Designated Other2 Name:New York City Landmark
Designated Other2 Date:September 19, 1967
Designated Other2 Abbr:NYCL
Designated Other2 Number:0545
Designated Other2 Link:New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission
Designated Other2 Color:
  1. ffe978

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.

The Governor's House was built 1805–1813, during the War of 1812 and was originally known as the Guard House.[1] [2] It is the oldest structure on the island that is not a fortification,[2] but contrary to popular misconception, is not the Colonial Governor's Mansion, which was built in 1702.[3] 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.[3] The building was then used as officers' quarters by 1922.[3] A brick annex was built to the south in 1939.[1]

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.[2] At the entrance portico above the second story is a small lunette window.[1] 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.[2]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Book: Edwards and Kelcey Engineers, Inc.. Governors Island Disposition of Surplus Federal Real Property: Environmental Impact Statement. November 4, 1998. 244.
  2. Web site: Governors Island Historic District. Hansen. Laura. Pearson. Marjorie. June 8, 1996. City of New York
    New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission
    . 49 (PDF p. 54). June 3, 2019. February 3, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170203164334/http://home2.nyc.gov/html/lpc/downloads/pdf/reports/GOVERNORS_ISLAND_-_HISTORIC_DISTRICT.pdf. dead.
  3. Web site: National Register of Historic Inventory - Nomination Form For Federal Properties: Governors Island . . February 4, 1985 . 7.