Trustee Emeritus Award for  Excellence in the Stewardship of  Historic Sites

In November 2000, the National Trust for Historic Preservation presented this prestigious award to The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America "for acquiring, restoring, and interpreting a collection of historic properties that offer invaluable opportunities to experience the rich variety of America's heritage."

 

Museum Properties in New York

The NSCD in New York manages two historic properties.  The Colonial Dames Museum House (Headquarters) is in New York City and Van Cortlandt House Museum is in the Bronx.


COLONIAL DAMES MUSEUM HOUSE (1930)

Address:  215 East 71st Street, New York, NY 10021

Telephone:  (212) 744-3572

Email:  nscdny@nyc.rr.com

Open: For school program information and scheduling, please call (212) 988-4790 (Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) or email anderj77@verizon.net. You may also visit www.nscolonialdamesny.com.

Directions:  Located on East 71st Street between Second and Third Avenue.

Events/Rentals. www.ncsda.org/newyork/events.htm



Photograph by Erik Kvalsvik

This house was built for The National Society of  Colonial Dames in the State of New York.  The architect was Richard Henry Dana, Jr. and it was constructed between 1928 and 1930.

It is a replica of a fine pre-revolutionary home of an affluent citizen, incorporating architectural features from a number of important 18th-century houses.  It has its own terrace garden.

The house contains an excellent genealogical library, an especially fine collection of Dutch and English Delft, and furnishings primarily of 18th-century antiques.

The Educational Projects Committee holds extensive school programs for independent and public school children. For more information on the children's programs, please go to: www.nscolonialdamesny.com.


VAN CORTLANDT HOUSE MUSEUM  (1748)

Address:  Van Cortlandt Park at 246th Street, Bronx, NY 10471

Telephone:  (718) 543-3344

Email:
van.cortlandt.house.museum@gmail.com

Open: 
Tuesday through Friday:
10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Sunday:  11:oo a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Directions:  From Major Deegan Expressway, take Van Cortlandt Park South. From Henry Hudson Parkway, take Broadway Exit, turn left.

Website: www.vancortlandthouse.org



Photograph by Erik Kvalsvik

Van Cortlandt House was built in 1748 by Frederick Van Cortlandt, son of Jacobus, merchant and Major of New York.  The Dutch-Georgian plantation house remains the oldest house in The Bronx and is built of native fieldstone with brick window accents.  As in some Dutch manor houses, each facade window has a carved brownstone grotesque as its keystone.

During the Revolution, Van Cortlandt House was either near or behind enemy lines and, consequently, used by both British and Americans; twice the house became the headquarters of General Washington.

The property remained in the Van Cortlandt family until the late 1800's, when it was sold to the City of New York.  Through an agreement with the City in 1896, The National Society of  Colonial Dames in the State of New York took over the management of the house and made it into the museum it is today.

The house is furnished with decorative arts and Van Cortlandt collections from the 18th and 19th centuries reflecting the lives and history of the Van Cortlandt family and their heirs.

NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
NEW YORK CITY LANDMARK

Email: nscdny@nyc.rr.com
Last updated:  07/02/2009
©2003-2009 The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America