One of the oldest houses in Brooklyn Heights is on the market for the first time in almost 100 years. Erected in 1829, the four-story house was built in the Federal clapboard style, and today includes Victorian add-ons such as the mansard roof. Myriad original features, such as millwork, moldings, hardware, and historic milk paint, have been carefully preserved by the owners over the years. Updates include central air conditioning.
The townhouse measures 2,570 square feet with four bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms and six fireplaces, five of which work perfectly. In addition to formal living and dining rooms, there’s a library and two small rooms that would work well as a home office or nursery.
The mid-block plot is 25’ by 101’, which is 0.12 of an acre, with a bluestone patio in he ample backyard. There was once a similar clapboard house next door, visible in old photographs, but it’s now a vacant lot, perfect for those who seek a bit of extra privacy.
Next door to the landmark Plymouth Church, the Orange Street house has seen a lot of history go by. The building was once owned by Sarah Gracie, daughter of Martha Van Nostrand Middagh (aka Lady Middagh), who gave the Brooklyn Heights “fruit streets” their names. And yes, Sarah’s surname is as with Gracie Mansion, home of New York City’s mayor.
Plymouth Church has a long history with the abolitionist movement. Its first preacher, Henry Ward Beecher dedicated himself to the cause of freedom, as did his sister, Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of the anti-slavery novel “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” In their day, thousands of notables, including Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Abraham Lincoln, and Mark Twain, walked past this house on their way to the church. The church was a hub of the Underground Railroad and legend has it that enslaved people making the journey to freedom were taken in and given sanctuary right here in this house.
Steeped in lore, the old house is listed at $9.95 million via Monica Luque at Douglas Elliman.
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Image Credit: Courtesy Douglas Elliman -
Image Credit: Courtesy Douglas Elliman -
Image Credit: Courtesy Douglas Elliman -
Image Credit: Courtesy Douglas Elliman -
Image Credit: Courtesy Douglas Elliman -
Image Credit: Courtesy Douglas Elliman -
Image Credit: Courtesy Douglas Elliman -
Image Credit: Courtesy Douglas Elliman -
Image Credit: Courtesy Douglas Elliman -
Image Credit: Courtesy Douglas Elliman -
Image Credit: Courtesy Douglas Elliman -
Image Credit: Courtesy Douglas Elliman -
Image Credit: Courtesy Douglas Elliman -
orangestbklyn_2
Image Credit: Courtesy Douglas Elliman