Steinway Mansion facts for kids
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Steinway Mansion
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Steinway Mansion from 41st Street
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| Location | 18-33 41st Street, Astoria, Queens, New York City |
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| Area | less than one acre (4,000 m2) |
| Built | 1858 |
| Architectural style | Italianate villa |
| NRHP reference No. | 83001780 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | September 8, 1983 |
The Steinway Mansion, also known as the Benjamin T. Pike House, is a historic home in Astoria, Queens, New York City. It sits on a one-acre hilltop. This beautiful house was built in 1858.
It was first owned by Benjamin Pike, Jr., who was born in 1809. He was famous for making scientific tools in lower Manhattan. The mansion was originally part of a much larger property, about 440 acres, located near the Long Island Sound.
After Benjamin Pike, Jr. passed away in 1864, his wife sold the mansion. In 1870, William Steinway bought it. He was part of the famous company Steinway & Sons, which makes pianos.
Later, in 1926, Jack Halberian bought the mansion. When he died in 1976, his son, Michael Halberian, started a big project to fix up and restore the house. The house was for sale after Michael Halberian passed away in 2010. In 2014, new owners bought the property, but their names were not shared.
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What Makes the Steinway Mansion Special?
The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission recognized the Steinway Mansion as an important city landmark in 1966. This means it's a special building that should be protected. It was also added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. This is another important list for historic places in the United States.
Exploring the Mansion's Design
The Steinway Mansion is built in a style called Italianate Villa. This style often includes grand features and a classic look. We don't know who the architect was who designed it.
Building Materials and Structure
The mansion is made from strong materials like granite and bluestone. It also has fancy decorations made of cast iron. The main part of the house has two stories and is shaped like a "T." Its roof is covered with slate and has a pointed gable roof.
Unique Rooms and Features
The house has a one-story library wing with large windows that stick out. A tall, four-story tower stands out, topped with a decorative railing called a balustrade and a small, eight-sided dome called an octagonal cupola.
There are three porches with strong cast iron columns that look like ancient Greek columns. Inside, you'll find five fireplaces made of beautiful Italian marble. The house also has special "pocket doors" that slide into the walls. These doors have original glass designs showing many of the scientific tools Benjamin Pike made in the 1800s.
The main hall in the center of the house is very grand. It has a beautiful staircase with carved walnut railings. Above, there's a two-story domed area called a rotunda with a colorful stained glass skylight. The ceilings throughout the house are very high, about 12 feet!
Water System Innovations
The mansion had a clever water system for its time. There are three large underground tanks called cisterns. These were designed to collect rainwater from the roof. This collected water was then used to water the gardens. The house also had a 1000-gallon copper tank in the attic. This tank helped provide pressurized water for the bathrooms and kitchen.
Documentary Film About the Mansion
In 2006, a movie called The Steinway Mansion was made. This film shares many interesting details about the house. It includes interviews with Michael Halberian, who restored the mansion, and Henry Steinway. The documentary also shows many rare old photos of the mansion.
See also
In Spanish: Mansión Steinway para niños
