John Hartford House facts for kids
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John A. Hartford House
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 Location in New York
Location in the United States
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| Location | Westchester Community College |
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| Nearest city | Valhalla, New York |
| Area | 10 acres (4.0 ha) |
| Built | 1930 |
| Architect | Mann & MacNeille |
| Architectural style | Tudor Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 77000987 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 22, 1977 |
| Designated NHL | December 22, 1977 |
The John A. Hartford House, also called Hartford Hall, is a special old house. It is located on the campus of Westchester Community College in New York. A famous businessman named John A. Hartford built this house between 1930 and 1932. He was the president of a huge grocery company called the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company (A&P).
This house became a National Historic Landmark in 1977. It earned this title because of its connection to John Hartford. He helped A&P become the first national chain of grocery stores in the United States. Today, Hartford Hall is used by the college. It holds the college president's office and other important spaces.
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What Does Hartford Hall Look Like?
Hartford Hall is found on the campus of Westchester Community College. This college sits on what used to be part of John Hartford's large country estate. The house is a big building designed in the Tudor Revival style. This means it looks like old English Tudor homes.
Building Materials and Design
The New York City firm Mann and MacNeille designed the house. It was finished in 1932. The building is about 2.5 stories tall. It is mostly made of fieldstone, which are natural stones found in fields. These stones are laid in rough rows. Wooden beams also cross some parts of the walls. The roof is made of slate tiles and slopes downwards. Red brick chimneys with fancy tops stick out from the roof.
Inside the House
The inside of Hartford Hall is very fancy. It has rich woodwork, shiny marble, and detailed plasterwork. Even though the building is now used by the college, it still feels like a grand home. You can even find some of John Hartford's original furniture inside.
Who Was John A. Hartford?
John Hartford was a very important person in American business history. He helped change how people bought groceries.
How John Hartford Built His Estate
In 1930, John Hartford bought over 300 acres of land. He bought it from a lawyer named Joseph Daly. Mr. Daly had used the land to raise horses. Hartford then built his grand house and other parts of a country estate. This included a nine-hole golf course. Today, only the main house and a greenhouse from his estate are still standing.
John Hartford and the A&P Grocery Stores
Historians say John Hartford was the main reason A&P grew so much. The company started in 1859. But it really expanded between 1910 and 1930. John Hartford and his brother, George Ludlum Hartford, led the company during this time. They made A&P a household name across the country.
What Happened to the House After Hartford?
After John Hartford passed away in 1951, his property was managed by the John A. Hartford Foundation. This foundation first rented the property to Yale University. Yale used the land for a special forestry program.
Becoming a College Campus
In 1957, the foundation sold the property to the county. They sold it at a lower price than it was worth. This was so the county could use it as an educational facility. The county was looking for a new home for its community college. The state had given the college's management to the county. So, John Hartford's grand estate became the campus for Westchester Community College.
Images for kids
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Hartford Hall, a historic house on the campus of Westchester Community College.
