Lake–Tysen House facts for kids
The Lake–Tysen House is a large farmhouse with special Dutch and Flemish architectural styles. It was built by Joseph Guyon on his farm in Oakwood, Staten Island, USA. Many of its original wooden parts, like the wall panels and doors, are still there. These show different old styles called Georgian and Federal. The house was likely built for a family that was quite well-off. The Lake family, who owned the house later, had enslaved people. These individuals might have lived in the rooms above the kitchen.
In 1962, the house was bought by Historic Richmond Town, which is a living history museum. It was carefully moved from Oakwood between July 9 and 12, 1962. The building was then fixed up and opened to visitors in October 1963. The full restoration was finished in the 1970s.
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Building the House
The main part of the Lake–Tysen House was built around 1740. The kitchen area was added or rebuilt later, around 1820.
The house was made with a wooden frame, using a special building method called the "bent system." It stands one and a half stories tall, meaning it has a main floor and a smaller upper floor. There is also a basement under the two main rooms and the front hallway.
The basement walls are made from rough stones. The walls on the first floor and in the front hallways were filled with mud and straw, then covered with a smooth plaster layer. The floors, wall panels, decorations, and doors are all made from pine wood.
Where the House First Stood
The Lake–Tysen House originally sat on a large piece of land, about 115 acres. Its first spot was about 750 feet south of Hylan Boulevard and 100 feet west of Tysens Lane, in Oakwood, Staten Island.
This area was important because it was a big, fertile farm plot. It stretched from the shoreline to a main road, which was great for moving goods and trading.
Before the Lake–Tysen House was built, this land was first given to Hanse Laurense around 1677. By 1723, James Hanse Dye owned the land. Any buildings from that time were gone, but signs of an older structure were found near where the kitchen is now.
People Who Lived Here
Many different families and individuals lived in the Lake–Tysen House over the years. Here's a look at some of them and what they did:
- 1740–1758: Joseph Guyon; he was a farmer.
- 1758–1797: The people living here during this time are not known.
- 1797–1804: Henry Barger; he was a farmer and a blacksmith.
- 1804–1813: The Barger family continued to live here and farm.
- 1813–1839: The Daniel Lake family; they were farmers.
- 1839–1885: David J. and Elizabeth Lake Tysen; David was a farmer and also dealt in real estate.
- 1885–1932: David J. Tysen II owned the house, and his mother and siblings lived there.
- 1932–1937: John L. (Jack) Porter; he was a restaurateur, meaning he owned or managed a restaurant.
- 1937–1962: Charles Whitaker; he was a real estate agent.
Slavery at the House
Historical records, like census reports, show that enslaved people lived at the Lake–Tysen House before slavery was fully ended in New York in 1827. This is part of the History of slavery in New York.
For example, the 1800 U.S. Census for Southfield listed Henry Barregor (Barger) as having three enslaved people. The 1820 U.S. Census for Southfield listed Daniel Lake as having three enslaved people. By the 1830 U.S. Census, the records show free Black individuals living at the house, indicating a change after slavery was abolished.
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