Armour–Stiner House facts for kids
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Armour–Stiner House
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(2009)
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 Location in New York
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| Location | 45 W. Clinton Ave., Irvington, NY |
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| Built | 1860 |
| Architectural style | Octagon Mode |
| NRHP reference No. | 75001238 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 18, 1975 |
| Designated NHL | December 8, 1976 |
The Armour–Stiner House is a very special and unique home. It looks like an octagon, which means it has eight sides. It also has a cool dome on top! This Victorian-style house is located in Irvington, in Westchester County, New York.
It was named a National Historic Landmark in 1976. This means it's a very important historical place. It's the only octagon house known to have a full dome. It was even designed to look like an old Roman temple called the Tempietto. This shows how much people in the 1800s liked classical designs.
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Building the Unique Octagon House
The Armour–Stiner House was built between 1859 and 1860. A businessman named Paul J. Armour had it built. He was inspired by the ideas of Orson Squire Fowler. Fowler wrote a book called The Octagon House: A Home for All Occasions. He believed that octagon houses were better because they:
- had more space inside
- let in more sunlight
- made it easy to move between rooms
We don't know who the actual architect was. But this house is special because it's the only octagon house with a dome like a Roman temple.
Adding the Dome and Expanding
Later, from 1872 to 1876, a tea importer named Joseph Stiner owned the house. He made it even bigger and added the dome. The Armour–Stiner House became one of the most fancy octagon houses of its time. Today, only about 100 octagon houses are still standing.
Owners and Preservation
Over the years, many people have owned the Armour–Stiner House.
- In the 1930s, a Finnish writer and explorer named Aleko E. E. Lilius lived there.
- From 1946 to 1976, a historian named Carl Carmer owned it. He even said the house was haunted!
In 1976, the house was almost torn down. But the National Trust for Historic Preservation bought it to save it. They couldn't afford all the repairs needed. So, they sold it to an architect named Joseph Pell Lombardi. He is a preservationist, which means he works to save old buildings. Lombardi has done a great job fixing up the house, its inside, and the gardens.
The house is still a private home today. It sits on a hill overlooking the Hudson River. It's about 1,650 feet from the river. This location fits with Fowler's ideas for building octagon houses. The Old Croton Aqueduct, another historic landmark, is right next to the property.
In 2017, Lombardi offered the house for rent through Sotheby's. It was available for $40,000 a month.
What the House Looks Like Inside and Out
The Armour–Stiner House has four stories, plus a small observatory at the very top. It's huge, with about 8,400 square feet of space.
The property also includes other buildings:
- a barn
- a carriage house
- a well house (used as a gazebo)
- a greenhouse
The main floor of the house has a veranda all around it. This porch is decorated with beautiful carved wood, like "gingerbread" trim. It's lit up with old-fashioned gas lamps.
Inside the house, you'll find many rooms:
- an entrance hall
- a solarium (a sunny room)
- a library
- a curio room (for interesting collections)
- a music room designed in an Egyptian style
- a 360-degree "dance room" (added by Joseph Stiner)
- a billiard room
- a wine cellar
- seven bedrooms
- three bathrooms
- two kitchens
- a pantry
Guided Tours
If you're interested in seeing this amazing house, you can! In April 2019, the Armour-Stiner (Octagon) House started offering guided tours. You need to make an appointment to visit. You can find out how to book a tour on its website.
Joseph Lombardi, the owner, shared his thoughts: "For forty-one years my family has been a responsible and caring owner of the Octagon House, doing everything we can to preserve its historic fabric. It is our intention to continue with our efforts while allowing the extraordinary Octagon House to be seen by interested visitors willing to make a reservation.”
See also
In Spanish: Casa Armour-Stiner para niños
