James A. Burden House facts for kids
The James A. Burden House is a beautiful old building in New York City. It's located in an area called Carnegie Hill. Today, this special house is home to the lower school of the Convent of the Sacred Heart.
Building the Burden House
In 1901, a wealthy man named William D. Sloane bought the land for this house. His family owned the famous W. & J. Sloane furniture company. Mr. Sloane bought the property from Andrew Carnegie, a very well-known businessman.
Mr. Sloane wanted to give a special gift to his daughter, Adele. She was marrying James A. Burden Jr., whose family owned the Burden Iron Works. So, Mr. Sloane hired architects Warren & Wetmore to design a grand house for them.
Design and Style
The house was finished in 1905. It was built in the Italian Renaissance style, which means it looks like old Italian buildings. It also has fancy French details around the windows and on the balcony.
In 1907, the New York Times newspaper wrote about the house. They said it had a perfect French design. You could only enter through a special courtyard. The main staircase inside was so wide and easy to climb, it felt effortless.
Later Years
In 1938, everything inside the house was sold at an auction. Two years later, in 1940, the Convent of the Sacred Heart bought the mansion.
Today, the house is used as the lower school for the Convent of the Sacred Heart. It is also sometimes used for other events when school is not in session.
In 1989, a special plaque was placed on the house. This plaque shows that it is a "Designated Landmark of New York." This means it's an important historical building that should be protected.
See also
In Spanish: Casa James A. Burden para niños
