Welcome back to Monochromes, a Friday mini-series wherein Curbed delves deep into the Library of Congress's photographic annals, resurfacing with an armful of old black-and-white photos of architecture and interior design of yesteryear. Have a find you want to share? Hit up the tipline; we'd love to hear from you.
Photos via Library of Congress Gottscho-Schleisner Collection
Built in 1765 by a British Colonel and his rich American wife, New York's Morris-Jumel Mansion was a summer, country house done up in the au courant Palladian style—portico and colonnade included. In the century after it wrapped construction, the "MJM" served as General George Washington's headquarters at the Battle of Harlem Heights in 1776, hosted now President George Washington and his cabinet (including John Adams and Thomas Jefferson) for dinner in 1790, and, in 1833, served as wedding venue for former vice president (and the fellow who shot Alexander Hamilton dead in a duel) Aaron Burr, who married the lady of the house. The mansion became a museum in 1904, and, 46 years later, was shot by the photographer of the Library of Congress' Gottscho-Schleisner Collection.
· Jumel Mansion in Washington Heights [Library of Congress Gottscho-Schleisner Collection]
· Morris-Jumel Mansion [official site]
· All Monochromes posts [Curbed National]
· All Dwelling posts [Curbed National]
· All 1950s posts [Curbed National]
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