The Mayor’s residence

Gracie Mansion is set, in keeping with its origins, in a bucolic parkland. Built from 1799 to 1802 as a country home by Archibald Gracie, a then-wealthy merchant, it has been the official home to sitting mayors for some 80 years.

Here are some of the twists along the road that led it to play its part in New York City history. Gracie lost his money and standing, forcing him to sell the property to Joseph Foulke in 1823. In 1857, Foulke sold it to a fellow named Noah Wheaton. In 1896 the City took over Gracie Mansion for back taxes.

For a while, the Mansion provided the concessions stand and pit stop for the public park that surrounded the building. In 1923, the City converted the Mansion into the Museum of the City of New York. The Museum moved to its Fifth Avenue home in 1932 and the Mansion was turned into a historic home museum.

In the 1940s Robert Moses, master planner and Parks Commissioner convinced the City Council that Gracie Mansion should become the Mayoral residence. Fiorello LaGuardia reluctantly moved in in 1942. In the years since only Michael Bloomberg stayed in his own home during his years of service.

Gracie Mansion is maintained by a Conservancy, like the ones that help keep our City parks green. It is open to the public on a limited tour schedule.