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Wednesday 12pm - 5pm Thursday 12pm - 8pm Friday 12pm - 5pm Saturday 12pm - 5pm Sunday 12pm - 5pm

Merchant's House Museum

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Merchant's House Museum

Life at Home in Mid-19th Century New York City "The distinction of the Merchant's House -- and it is a powerful one -- is that it is the real thing.
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etropolis. One simply walks through the beautiful doorway into another time and place in New York." The New York Times

01/27/2025

The dressing table in Eliza Tredwell's bedroom, 1832-1840, features lyre-shaped mahogany veneer supports. Illustration by Barbara Comfort, 1972.

01/26/2025

Join us on Saturday, February 22, at 3 p.m. for "A Tredwell Tour with Museum Historian Ann Haddad."

Museum Historian Ann Haddad has been researching the Tredwell family for over 10 years, follow along as she shares stories (both fact and family lore) of the occupants of East Fourth Street, as well as their ancestors and descendants, from the outspoken Loyalist who butted heads with Alexander Hamilton, to the renowned Bishop of New York who became embroiled in a shocking scandal, to the young man whose pleas for a daughter’s hand fell on deaf ears. Ann Haddad opens the Tredwell closet to reveal all the skeletons!

60 minutes, reservations recommended but not required; $20.

01/22/2025

Opening today: “Finest Surviving:” Ornamental Plasterwork at the Merchant’s House Museum.

The 1832 Merchant’s House is one of only 120 buildings in New York City distinguished as an exterior – and interior – landmark. Its intact original ornamental plaster work is considered the “finest surviving” from the period. Learn how the plaster walls, ceilings, and ornamentation in the Merchant’s House were created in the 19th century. On display, original 1832 plaster fragments, as well as molds and plaster casts created by sculptor and ornamental plasterer David Flaharty, who used the same methods as the early 19th century artisans during a house-wide restoration in the 1970s.

01/17/2025

The demolition of Pennsylvania Station, in 1963, shocked and outraged the public. Although its destruction was a tipping point in the fight for landmarks legislation, the landmarking movement in New York City had been gaining steam since the 1950s, and the Merchant's House featured prominently from the beginning. In September 1965, the Merchant's House was the first building in Manhattan to be designated a NYC landmark.

This year, New York celebrates the 60th anniversary of its groundbreaking landmarks law, while at the same time, the Merchant's House marks 13 years of fighting proposed development next door that is guaranteed to do our landmark building irreparable harm.

01/14/2025

Our popular "Ask A" program series returns in 2025!

Death and mourning were pervasive and integral parts of life in the 19th century. In the 20th century, with advances in medical care and changes in the industry around death and dying, the end of life moved from the home to hospitals, causing many customs of dying and bereavement to disappear. Today, many of these 19th century customs are making a resurgence.

In our second year of the popular “Ask A…” series, thanatologist Matilda Garrido interviews those working in the fields of end of life and beyond. Join us for historical perspective, emerging ideas, and open discussion around topics usually hidden.

On February 12, we're delighted to welcome former hospice social worker (now in private practice) Carolyn Garnter, LCSW,FT, to discuss the spiritual and emotional care offered to those in hospice. Matilda and Carolyn will discuss the benefits of hospice and how this model of whole patient care changes the experience of the patient and family in the last days and weeks. Matilda and Carolyn will also discuss some of the common end of life experiences, including dreams and visions, shared by those approaching end of life.

This virtual program is free and will be posted to our YouTube page. Register at www.merchantshouse.org/calendar.

01/12/2025

Join us on Saturday, February 1, at 3 p.m. for “Where Shadows Linger:” An Afternoon Ghost Tour.

On this afternoon tour, we’ll explore some of the spookiest true tales of ghostly sightings at the Merchant’s House, as well as highlights from our ongoing research into strange and supernatural occurrences at the house. We’ll also test out some newly-built handheld paranormal sensors, and discover why The New York Times calls us “Manhattan’s Most Haunted House.”

60 minutes, reservations recommended but not required; children under 8 are not permitted. $20.

01/11/2025

The sofa in the Tredwells' family room dates to the 1820s. Out-of-fashion by the time they recorated their parlors in the 1850s, it was relegated to the ground floor family room, an informal room used for family activities. In 1858, John Skidmore, a neighbor of the Tredwell family, wrote in his diary: "Spent ev’g at home in basement [family room], pasting things in scrap book, reading, napping, etc." One can imagine him lounging on a sofa much like this one.

01/01/2025

Welcome, 2025! Wishing all of you a safe, healthy, and wonderful New Year!

12/30/2024

New Yorkers began preparations for their New Year’s Day receptions far in advance. They cleaned their houses from top to bottom, sometimes even refurnishing them; stocked their pantries with holiday fare; and bought or made new clothes. The ladies dressed in their finest silks and laces.

"All the family must have new outfits for the occasion, and tailors and modistes find this a profitable season. To be seen in a dress that has ever been worn before is considered the height of vulgarity." (The Secrets of the Great City, 1868.)

Pictured: "Waiting for Calls on New Years Day," by Winslow Homer.

12/28/2024

The custom of paying calls on New Year’s Day was “almost peculiar to New York,” according to 1820s mayor Philip Hone. It was introduced by the City’s Dutch founders, who were famous for their holiday hospitality. Nineteenth century New York hostesses continued the tradition, serving their gentlemen callers glasses of potent punch and elaborate buffets featuring, among other delicacies, pickled oysters, the dish of dishes for New Year’s.

In mid-nineteenth century New York, New Year’s Day was the most celebrated winter holiday — a day when the gentlemen of the city hurried from home to home, calling upon all of their friends, family, and acquaintances. It was considered a mark of social prestige to pay or receive a great number of calls on New Year’s Day. Philip Hone recorded this entry in his diary on January 1, 1844: “There must have been more visiting than on any former New Year’s Day. I was out more than five hours, and my girls tell me they received one hundred and sixty-nine visits.”

12/25/2024

From all of us at the Merchant's House, wishing you a very Merry Christmas!

12/24/2024

The eight Tredwell children must have eagerly anticipated the arrival of Santa Claus, who brought gifts and presents to fill their Christmas stockings. On Christmas Eve, children hung their own long, knitted stockings at the foot of their bed or from the mantelpiece. The next morning, they awoke to find their stockings stuffed with toys and candy. Later on, presents were gathered about the Christmas tree, where they sparkled in the candlelight.

12/22/2024

The Merchant's House will be closed for tours on Wednesday, December 25; Thursday, December 26; and Wednesday, January 1.

Wishing you a safe and happy holiday season!

(Fear not! The performance of 'A Christmas Carol at the Merchant's House' scheduled for Thursday, December 26 WILL take place as scheduled!)

12/20/2024

Illustrator Thomas Nast drew the holiday cover for Harper’s Weekly for many years, including 33 cartoons of Santa. Although Nast was well known for his political cartoons in his day, his drawings of Santa have been his most enduring legacy. Santa Claus has been depicted in a number of ways, and yet he often holds a long pipe, typical of the Dutch colonial period.

12/18/2024

In New York, the tradition of Santa Claus’ visits originated with a Dutch gift-giving holiday called Sinterklaas, the Dutch common name for Saint Nicholas. Sinterklaas was celebrated in New Amsterdam on December 6, St. Nicholas Day. With more Dutch residents than any other ethnicity, Dutch holiday traditions dominated, and, as legend has it, “pressure was put on parents” to embrace this traditional gift-giving holiday in the New World.

While colonial settlers saw Christmas as a primarily religious occasion, by the 19th century, Christmas had become a more child-centered, festive holiday. After the American Revolution, works such as Washington Irving’s 1809 satirical A History of New-York by Deidrich Knickerbocker and Clement Clark Moore’s A Visit from St. Nicholas (first published 1823) revived and transformed Sinterklaas into “Jolly Old St. Nick,” the Santa Claus who delivered presents to New York’s children.

12/16/2024

Now on display! This one-piece brown silk day dress, 1860-1865, has a fitted bodice with a round waist and pagoda sleeves. The bodice is trimmed with silk passementerie braiding and black glass beads. Each sleeve also has three pairs of tassels. This type of textile embellishment, often seen on draperies and upholstery, was on trend for dresses in the second half of the 19th century, and combining multiple types of trims was considered very fashionable. The placement of the passementerie braiding on this dress establishes a focal point for the garment.

Due to the industrial revolution, in the latter half of the 19th century, trimmings (braiding, tassels, fringe, etc.) were machine-made and available to most dressmakers, and their customers. Passementerie trims were previously hand-made and therefore only worn by those of high economic and social status. The amount of trim on one’s clothing would reflect one’s fashion sense as well.

The affection for braided trim continued into the 20th century: the braided trims on iconic Chanel suits are a vestige of this 19th century embellishment.

12/13/2024

"A Christmas Carol at the Merchant's House" was listed as a top pick of the week by Entertainment Weekly!

If you're unable to join us in person, we are pleased to offer a virtual performance as well. Your rental fee allows you unlimited views between now and December 30, and you can share the link with friends and family, as well, to watch with loved ones, near and far.

Visit https://www.summonersensemble.org/a-christmas-carol-holiday-rental.html for information about the Christmas Carol video rental!

12/09/2024

See EW's top pop culture picks for the week, including Jack Huston's directorial debut 'Day of the Fight,' a Keira Knightley and Ben Whishaw crime drama, and 'Interstellar' anniversary re-release.

Address

29 E 4th Street
New York, NY
10003

Opening Hours

Wednesday	12pm - 5pm
Thursday	12pm - 8pm
Friday	12pm - 5pm
Saturday	12pm - 5pm
Sunday	12pm - 5pm

Website

http://merchantshouse.org/

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Videos

Hi everyone! It's Tessa, back with the ongoing series on the Election of 1840. The Election of 1840 marked the advent of using song to encourage mass participation in voting, and the Whigs particularly embraced the trend. According to historian William Coleman “it was singing that did the work [in the election of 1840] … the ceaseless torrent of music … worried, annoyed, dumbfounded, [and] crushed the Democrats.” In the song “Tippecanoe and Tyler Too,” supporters sang: “What's the cause of this commotion, motion, motion, Our country through? It is the ball a-rolling on For Tippecanoe and Tyler too. For Tippecanoe and Tyler too. And with them we'll beat little Van, Van, Van, Van is a used up man. And with them we'll beat little Van.” It is likely that the Tredwells and other residents of the Bond Street area heard echoes of campaign songs around the city!

Killing an Evening with Edgar Allan Poe

In 1845, Edgar Allan Poe lived on Amity Street (now West 3rd Street), just blocks from the Merchant’s House. His publication of “The Raven” had brought him instant fame and invitations to the city’s most fashionable literary salons in the city, where he performed his work. Starting on Halloween night, for 12 performances only, join John Kevin Jones ("A Christmas Carol at the Merchant’s House") in our double parlor — set for a 19th century funeral complete with casket — for a hauntingly memorable performance of Poe’s “The Tell-Tale Heart,” “The Cask of Amontillado,” “The Angel of the Odd” and, of course, “The Raven.” It will be a bone-chilling evening of irrational revenge … obsession and premeditated murder … dismemberment … and the very, very dark. Visit www.merchantshouse.org/poe for tickets and more information.

Next Thursday, April 11, join us for “Ask An Embalmer” with @coldhandshosts! The 19th century brought embalming into the mainstream, but it’s come a long way since then. Bring your questions and learn how embalming is evolving in the 21st century. Free! Register at www.merchantshouse.org/calendar (link in profile!)

Sign a Letter, Save the Merchant's House!

Have you submitted your letter to the Adams Administration yet? The Merchant's House is fighting for its survival, and we need YOUR HELP! Please take just 30 seconds: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/save-the-merchants-house-museum-2?source=mhm-social-media A few questions you've asked: 𝘋𝘰 𝘐 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳? 𝘐'𝘮 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘢𝘺! No! All you need to do is sign your name. It's a form letter, but if you'd like to add your own words, please do! 𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘕𝘠𝘊 ... 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘐 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘯? Yes! Tourism is an economic engine in NYC. It's important the Administration hear from supporters from all over the globe! 𝘐 𝘢𝘭𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘦𝘥, 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘦𝘭𝘴𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘐 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱? Please SHARE this post with your followers! And remember to tag us @merchantshouse 𝘍𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘥𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘱𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘷𝘦! 𝘋𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘢 𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘭 𝘧𝘶𝘯𝘥? Yes! To date, we have spent over $1 million on legal and engineering fees. Please consider a donation, any amount will make a difference. Donate online at www.merchantshouse.org/support. 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶!

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“The real thing”

www.merchantshouse.org Built in 1832, the Merchant's House Museum is New York City's only 19th century home preserved intact, with original family furnishings and personal belongings. A unique survivor of Old New York, the House offers a rare and intimate glimpse of how a prosperous merchant family and their four Irish servants lived from 1835 to 1865, when New York grew from seaport to thriving metropolis and the commercial emporium of America. "The distinction of the Merchant's House -- and it is a powerful one -- is that it is the real thing. One simply walks through the beautiful doorway into another time and place in New York." The New York Times

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