Havemeyer family facts for kids

The Havemeyer family is a famous family from New York. They came from Germany a long time ago. This family became very important because they owned many sugar factories in the United States.

The Havemeyer Family's Story

Starting the Sugar Business

The Havemeyer family's story in America began with William Havemeyer (1770-1851). He left Holland when he was 15 years old. He learned how to refine sugar in London. After that, he came to New York City.

In New York, William first managed a sugar factory on Pine Street. Later, he opened his own factory on Vandam Street. His brother, Frederick Christian Havemeyer, joined him in 1802. Together, they ran the W. & F.C. Havemeyer Company. They made sugar for many years.

Growing the Sugar Empire

William and Frederick passed their sugar business to their sons. One of William's sons, William Frederick Havemeyer, decided to try something different. He stopped working in the sugar business in 1842. Instead, he went into politics. He was elected Mayor of New York three times!

Around 1855, the family moved their sugar factories to Brooklyn. The business grew much bigger there. Frederick's grandson, Henry Osborne Havemeyer, took charge. Under his leadership, the Havemeyer sugar business became huge. It controlled a large part of the sugar market in the United States.

In 1891, the Havemeyer factories became one big company called the American Sugar Refining Company. Later, in 1900, this company became known as Domino Sugar. You might still see Domino Sugar today!

Havemeyer Contributions to Arts and Culture

In the 1900s, some members of the Havemeyer family did great things for the arts. Henry Osborne Havemeyer and his wife, Louisine Havemeyer, loved art. They gave many valuable artworks to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. This museum is one of the biggest art museums in the world.

Their daughter, Electra Havemeyer Webb, also loved collecting things. She founded the Shelburne Museum. This museum is in Vermont and has many interesting collections.

You can still find a reminder of the family in Brooklyn. Havemeyer Street in the Williamsburg neighborhood is named after them.

Images for kids

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  Mayor William Frederick Havemeyer (1804-1874)

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  A newspaper article from 1912 about the Havemeyer family.