Alexander Macomb House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Alexander Macomb House |
|
|---|---|
Second Presidential Mansion,
occupied by George Washington, February–August 1790. |
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| Former names | Mansion House Hotel Bunker's Mansion House Hotel |
| General information | |
| Address | 39-41 Broadway |
| Town or city | New York, New York |
| Country | United States |
| Coordinates | 40°42′23″N 74°00′48″W / 40.7063°N 74.0132°W |
| Construction started | 1786-88 |
| Client | Alexander Macomb |
The Alexander Macomb House was a large building in New York City. It was located at 39–41 Broadway in Lower Manhattan. This house became the second home for the President of the United States.
President George Washington lived here. He stayed from February 23 to August 30, 1790. At that time, New York City was the capital of the United States.
Contents
The House's First Owner
The house was built by a man named Alexander Macomb. He was born in Ireland in 1748. Macomb was a successful merchant and also bought and sold large areas of land.
He built this four-story house between 1786 and 1788. It was on the west side of Broadway. Before President Washington moved in, Macomb rented the house. The first person to live there was the French Minister, the Comte de Moustier. He was like an ambassador from France.
The French Minister left New York in early 1790. President Washington bought some of his furniture. This included mirrors and curtains. Some of these items are still at Mount Vernon today.
Washington's Presidential Homes
The first home for President Washington was the Samuel Osgood House. It was at 3 Cherry Street in Manhattan. Washington lived there from April 23, 1789, until February 23, 1790. He moved in a week before he became president.
The Osgood House was in a very busy part of Manhattan. It was close to the port along the East River. President Washington found it too small for his large household.
The Macomb House was much bigger. It was in a quieter area, just north of the Bowling Green. It also had amazing views of the Hudson River from its back windows.
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About 20 people worked in the presidential household. Some were paid workers. Others were indentured servants, who worked to pay off a debt. There were also enslaved people. Slavery was legal in New York at that time.
President Washington brought seven enslaved people from Mount Vernon to work in his home. Their names were William Lee, Christopher Sheels, Giles, Paris, Austin, Moll, and Oney Judge.
Two of Martha Washington's grandchildren also lived in the house. They were Nelly Custis, born in 1779, and "Wash" Custis, born in 1781.
Moving the Capital
In July 1790, a law called the Residence Act was passed. This law decided to move the national capital. It would move to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for ten years. During this time, a new permanent capital city would be built. This new city would become District of Columbia.
President Washington left the Macomb House on August 30, 1790. He returned to Mount Vernon. On his way, he stopped in Philadelphia. He visited the house that would become the third Presidential Mansion. It was the Masters–Penn–Morris House.
Later Years of the House
In 1821, the Macomb House became a hotel. It was called Bunker's Mansion House Hotel. It was known as a very comfortable place to stay. Many families from the Southern states liked to stay there. Mr. Bunker, the owner, was very friendly. He became rich and later sold the hotel.
In 1939, the Daughters of the Revolution placed a bronze plaque at 39 Broadway. This plaque marked the historic spot. Sadly, the Alexander Macomb House was torn down in 1940.
Images for kids
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1939 DAR plaque
See also
In Spanish: Casa Alexander Macomb para niños
