LeRay Mansion

LeRay Mansion, also known as LeRay Residence, and the Jules Payen Estate, is a historic home located northeast of the village of Black River in Jefferson County, New York. It is a Classical Revival style structure. It consists of a 47 foot by 54 foot main block flanked by two one story wings of 19 feet by 27 feet. The first mansion was built in 1807-1808 on the ledge overlooking the Village of LeRaysville, burned in the early 1820’s, and was rebuilt in the same location.

LeRay Mansion
The LeRay Mansion house on the grounds of the former village of LeRaysville. Now on the grounds of Ft. Drum, NY
Nearest cityBlack River, New York
Coordinates44°3′0″N 75°45′48″W
Area11.5 acres (4.7 ha)
Built1808
ArchitectBeaudrey, Dr.
Architectural styleClassical Revival
NRHP reference No.74001245[1]
Added to NRHPJuly 11, 1974

LeRay passed the mansion down to his son Vincent in 1823, and in 1826, he decided to tear it down in order to build the current LeRay Mansion. After his father's death in 1840, Vincent sold the mansion to Jules Payen. Payen passed it down to his daughter, Julia who married William Phelps. The Phelps family added a dairy farm to the property. It stayed with descendants of the Phelps family until the 1930’s when the estate was sold to Colonel and Mrs. Harold Remington who restored the house. In 1940, the land and house became part of Camp Drum via eminent domain.

It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974, and at the time of its construction was described as "one of the most beautiful houses in America."

The LeRay Mansion Historic District is currently the home of the Fort Drum Natural Resources and Cultural Center.  The District archaeological remains,flower gardens, a trout stream, sthe grave of Clotilde de Gouvello, granddaughter of James LeRayIn addition to the Mansion, which is usually available for events and gatherings, there are four remaining outbuildings, the farm manager’s cottage, the slave quarters, LeRay’s land office and a possible ice house.  

Images
  • The main house from the approach drive
  • An information sign in the front lawn

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.


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