Treadwell Farm Historic District facts for kids
The Treadwell Farm Historic District is a special area in the Upper East Side neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. It includes parts of East 61st and East 62nd Street, located between Second and Third Avenues.
This district was officially recognized by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission on December 13, 1967. It was one of the very first historic districts in New York City! Most of the buildings here are three- or four-story brownstone homes built in the mid-to-late 1800s. The district also features the Church of Our Lady of Peace, Trinity Baptist Church, and some apartment buildings from the early 1900s. People love this area because the buildings are very similar in height and style, giving the neighborhood a unique and charming feel.
What is the History of Treadwell Farm?
The Treadwell Farm area is named after the Treadwell family, who owned the land a long time ago.
How Did the Treadwell Family Get the Land?
During the time when America was still a group of colonies, this land was part of a large farm owned by Peter Pra Van Zandt. A small piece of the district also came from William Beekman's farm.
In 1815, a fur merchant named Adam Tredwell (note the slightly different spelling of his last name back then!) and Stephen Thorne Jr. bought Van Zandt's farm. They paid $13,000 for 24 acres of land. When Thorne passed away in 1830, Tredwell bought his half of the property.
After Adam Tredwell died in 1852, his daughter Elizabeth bought the piece of land that belonged to the Beekman farm. She then combined all the land. The combined property was divided into smaller lots, which started to be sold for building homes in 1854.
When Were the Homes Built?
Most of the homes in the Treadwell Farm area were built between 1868 and 1876. Many of these homes are Italianate style row houses, which were very popular at the time. Some also show influences from the French Second Empire style.
By 1868, special rules were put in place for selling the land. These rules made sure that the new buildings would be a certain height and width. They also limited the types of businesses that could open there, helping to keep the neighborhood residential and charming.
The Presbyterian Church of the Redeemer was built in 1886-87. Today, it is known as the Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady of Peace. Also, six-story apartment buildings were constructed at 245 and 247 East 62nd Street between 1899 and 1900.
Who Designed the Buildings?
Many famous architects helped design buildings in the Treadwell Farm Historic District. Some of these include Richard Morris Hunt, Samuel A. Warner, James W. Pirrson, and George F. Pelham.
Were There Any Changes to the Buildings Over Time?
Yes, in the 1920s, specifically from 1919 to 1922, many of the buildings in the district were changed quite a bit. For example, many of the front steps (called stoops) were removed. Also, some of the fancy decorations on the buildings were simplified.
In 1930, a new church was built at 250 East 61st Street. It was designed by Martin G. Hedmark in a style called Scandinavian Modern.
