Andrew Carnegie Mansion facts for kids
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Andrew Carnegie Mansion
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| Location | 2 East 91st Street, Manhattan, New York City, New York |
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| Area | 1.2 acres (0.49 ha) |
| Built | 1899–1902 |
| Architect | Babb, Cook & Willard |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival, Georgian Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000536 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | November 13, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | November 13, 1966 |
The Andrew Carnegie Mansion is a famous old house in New York City. It is located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. This historic home was once owned by Andrew Carnegie. He was a very rich businessman and a generous giver.
Carnegie moved into his new mansion in late 1902. He lived there until he passed away in 1919. His wife, Louise, continued to live in the house. She stayed there until her death in 1946. Today, the building is a museum. It is called the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum. This museum is part of the Smithsonian Institution. The area around the mansion is now known as Carnegie Hill. The mansion was named a National Historic Landmark in 1966. This means it is a very important historical place.
History of the Carnegie Mansion
Andrew Carnegie bought the land for his mansion in 1898. He bought it secretly. The area was more than a mile north of the popular parts of the city. He wanted enough space for a large garden. Carnegie asked his architects, Babb, Cook & Willard, for a simple house. He wanted it to be "the most modest, plainest, and most roomy house in New York."
However, it was also a very modern home for its time. It was the first house in America to have a steel frame. It was also one of the first homes to have a private Otis Elevator. It even had central heating. Carnegie's wife, Louise, lived in the house for many years. She stayed there until she died in 1946.
In 1972, the Carnegie Corporation gave the house to the Smithsonian. The Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum opened there in 1976. The building was updated to become a museum. Hardy Holzman Pfeiffer Associates worked on the renovation in 1977. Later, in 2001, the inside was redesigned again. This was done by the firm Polshek and Partners.
The mansion was also used in a movie. It appeared in the 1973 musical film Godspell. It was featured during the song "Turn Back, O Man."
What the Mansion Looks Like
The mansion stands on about 1.2 acres of land. It is at the corner of 5th Avenue and 91st Street. The house is three and a half stories tall. It is made of brick and stone. The style is a mix of Georgian Revival architecture. It has stone corners and windows with heavy stone frames. There is also a decorative border at the top.
A green lawn separates the house from 91st Street. There is also a small garden on the west side. Next to the mansion is another building. This was a townhouse that Carnegie bought in 1905. He bought it for his daughter to live in. This building is now part of the museum complex. Its inside has been updated. It is now used for offices and other museum needs.
See also
In Spanish: Mansión Andrew Carnegie para niños
