Payne Whitney House facts for kids
The Payne Whitney House is a beautiful old building in New York City. You can find it on Fifth Avenue at 79th Street. A famous architect named Stanford White designed it. Many people think it's one of his best works. Today, it's home to the Cultural Services of the French Embassy in the United States. It also has a French bookstore called Albertine.
Contents
A Look Back at the Payne Whitney House
How the House Was Built
This grand house was built between 1902 and 1906. It was designed in a style like old Italian buildings. It was made for a rich man named Payne Whitney and his wife, Helen. Payne Whitney was a financier, meaning he dealt with money. He was also a kind person who gave to charity and loved sports. His wife, Helen, was a poet and supported artists.
Payne Whitney's uncle, Colonel Oliver Hazard Payne, gave them the land. He was a Civil War officer and helped start a medical college. The Colonel paid $625,000 to build this five-story mansion. Stanford White, the architect, oversaw the building's design. He also designed the inside of the house.
White even bought a marble statue for the house. It was sculpted by the famous artist Michelangelo around 1490. This statue, called "Young Archer," is now on loan to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Life and Changes at the House
Helen Hay Whitney lived in the house until she passed away in 1944. In 1952, the building became a part of the French Embassy. It was carefully restored in 1987. During this work, a special stained-glass window was found. It was designed just for this house by John La Farge.
In 1989, the house was recognized as a special landmark. The New York Landmarks Preservation Foundation placed a plaque on it. This means it's an important historical building.
Albertine Books
The Albertine Books bookstore and reading room opened in September 2014. It's more than just a bookstore. It's a cultural space where many events take place. You can find French books and enjoy different activities there.
Images for kids
-
A beautiful room inside the French Embassy Cultural Center.
-
The Payne Whitney House seen in April 2021 with scaffolding outside.
