Conference House facts for kids
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Conference House
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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 Location in New York City
Location in New York
Location in the United States
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| Location | Conference House Park, Satterlee Street, Tottenville, Staten Island, New York City, New York |
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| Area | 2.8 acres (1.1 ha) |
| Built | circa 1675 |
| Architectural style | Dutch Colonial |
| Part of | Ward's Point Conservation Area (ID82003402) |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000566 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | May 23, 1966 |
| Designated CP | September 29, 1982 |
The Conference House, also known as the Billop House, is a historic stone building located in the Tottenville area of Staten Island in New York City. It was built by Captain Christopher Billopp sometime before 1680.
This important house is found in Conference House Park, close to Ward's Point. This spot is the very southernmost tip of New York state. In the 1700s, it was known as "Billop's Point."
The Conference House is famous because it hosted the Staten Island Peace Conference on September 11, 1776. This meeting was an attempt to end the American Revolutionary War peacefully, but it was not successful. Today, the house is a National and New York City Landmark. It overlooks Raritan Bay and is also part of the Ward's Point Conservation Area.
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Building the Conference House
Captain Christopher Billopp served many years in the Royal Navy before coming to America in 1674. He was given a large piece of land, about 932 acres, at the southern tip of Staten Island.
Before Europeans arrived, the Lenape people, specifically the Raritan band, lived in this area. They used the land for camping and as a burial ground. This site, called Burial Ridge, is the largest pre-European historical site in New York City.
A popular story says that Staten Island became part of New York, not New Jersey, because Captain Billopp was able to sail his boat around the island in just one day.
In 1677, Captain Billopp moved to New Castle on the Delaware River to command a local military group. He returned to Staten Island when Thomas Dongan became the governor of New York. Billopp became active in the local government and received even more land, expanding his property to 1,600 acres.
It's not clear exactly when the Conference House was built. However, an old map shows a building on the site before 1680. The house was later passed down to Captain Billopp's great-grandson, also named Christopher Billop. This younger Christopher Billop became a colonel and led Loyalist forces during the American Revolution. Loyalists were colonists who remained loyal to the British Crown.
The American Revolution and the House
The Peace Conference
On September 11, 1776, a very important meeting took place at the Conference House. Colonel Christopher Billop, who was a Loyalist commander, hosted an informal discussion. The goal was to find a quick end to the American Revolution.
Lord Howe, the leader of the British forces in America, arranged to meet with representatives from the Continental Congress. This meeting is now known as the Staten Island Peace Conference. Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Edward Rutledge traveled by boat from Perth Amboy, New Jersey, which was controlled by the American patriots.
The meeting lasted for three hours. Lord Howe offered a peace deal, but he was not allowed to make big changes. The Americans politely turned down his offer. This meant the war would continue for another seven years.
Billop's Point and Raids
The Conference House is located at the southernmost point of New York State, a place originally called "Billop's Point." Today, it's known as Ward's Point. This spot is where the Arthur Kill waterway meets Raritan Bay.
On October 25, 1779, a raid known as "Simcoe's Raid" was launched from Billop's Point. John Graves Simcoe, who led a Loyalist group called the Queen's Rangers, attacked patriot-held New Jersey from here. Simcoe wrote about this in his book after the war: The batteaux, and boats, which were appointed to be at Billop's-point, so as to pass the whole over by twelve o'clock at night, did not arrive till three o'clock in the morning.
Billop's Point is also mentioned in the journal of Major André, another British officer. He wrote: Oct. 25 The Regiments at Amboy received Orders to strike their tents and send them with their baggage to the water's side. Those at Staten Island had orders to leave theirs standing, and repair by 8 o'clock in the evening to Billop's Point.
House Taken by the State
After the American Revolution ended and the British left the former colonies, the state of New York took over the Conference House. The Billop family did not receive any money for it. However, many Loyalists who lost their property later received some payment from the British government.
Famous Visitors to the House
Many important people visited the Conference House, especially during the American Revolution. Some of them include:
- Benjamin Franklin
- John Adams
- Edward Rutledge
- Lord Howe
- Major General Charles Grey: a British military leader
- John Graves Simcoe, leader of the Queen's Rangers
Saving the Conference House
After the Revolution, most of the Billop family moved to Canada. For many years, the house was used for different things, including a hotel and even a factory. It was later left empty and damaged.
In 1901, a politician named Assemblyman Van Name tried to get the state to buy the house and protect it as a historic site. However, it took some time for the house to be recognized for preservation.
The city of New York finally bought the house in 1926, just when it was in danger of being torn down. Conference House Park was created in the same year. A group called the Conference House Association was formed in 1929. This group was given the job of taking care of the house.
The association worked on restoring the house in several small projects. They built a new roof, added stairs, painted the outside, and fixed an old well. They also restored the second floor and created a floor in the attic. The restoration was finished in 1937, and the house was officially opened to the public on May 15, 1937. The Conference House was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1966, recognizing its great importance to American history.
See also
- List of the oldest buildings in New York
