Governor's House (Governors Island)

The Governor's House, also known as Building 2, is a historic house on Governors Island in New York City. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.

Governor's House
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
NYC Landmark No. 0545
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Location	Governors Island, New York, New York
Coordinates	40°41′27″N 74°0′48″W
Area	less than one acre
Built	1805–1813
Architectural style	Georgian
NRHP reference No.	73001217[1]
NYCL No.	0545
Significant dates
Added to NRHP	April 26, 1973
Designated NYCL	September 19, 1967

The Governor's House was built c. 1805–1813, during the War of 1812 and was originally known as the Guard House.[2][3] It is the oldest structure on the island that is not a fortification,[3][4] but contrary to popular misconception, is not the Colonial Governor's Mansion, which was built in 1702.[4] Building 2 was commanding officers' quarters between 1822–1843, then was used the main guard house and post commanding officers' quarters until the 1920s.[4] The building was then used as officers' quarters by 1922.[4] A brick annex was built to the south in 1939.[2]

The Governor's House is a two-story Georgian brick structure. The footprint is similar to a Greek Cross, and the gable roof projections, covered with asphalt, intersect at the center of the "cross". The entrance portico contains Ionic columns under an entablature, with a paneled wooden door behind a transom, and is accessed by a concrete-upon-brick stoop.[3] At the entrance portico above the second story is a small lunette window.[2] The windows around the house are six-over-six, double-hung, with brownstone windowsills. The east-side annex has a Colonial Revival doorway and cast stone sills.[3]

References

1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
2. Edwards and Kelcey Engineers, Inc. (November 4, 1998). Governors Island Disposition of Surplus Federal Real Property: Environmental Impact Statement. p. 244.
3. Hansen, Laura; Pearson, Marjorie (June 8, 1996). "Governors Island Historic District" (PDF). City of New York; New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. p. 49 (PDF p. 54).
4. "National Register of Historic Inventory - Nomination Form For Federal Properties: Governors Island". United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. February 4, 1985. p. 7.