Screening of PBS's "Hamilton's America" at Morris-Jumel Mansion

“Hamilton’s America,” the PBS documentary chronicling the creative process behind the hit musical HAMILTON (portions of which were filmed at Morris-Jumel) will be screened on Saturday, February 4, 2017 at 2:00 pm at the Morris-Jumel Mansion Museum. After the screening, there will be a talk back with the documentary’s director, Alex Horwitz.  For more information click here.

Walking Tour of The High Bridge Presented by Friends of the Old Croton Aqueduct

If you are interested in a guided tour of The High Bridge Aqueduct then you might consider this Walking Tour scheduled for 10:20am on Saturday, October 24, 2015 provided free of charge by the Friends of the Old Croton Aqueduct.   Participants will meet near the entrance to the Morris-Jumel Mansion, 65 Jumel Terrace, NYC. (just west of Highbridge Park between 161st St. and 162nd St.).  Directions to the Mansion, with transportation suggestions, can be found by clicking here.  

Participants will approach the bridge via the Aqueduct pathway along Coogan's Bluff, which leads north from 158th and Edgecombe Avenue to The High Bridge.  Once on the bridge participants will enjoy the views and marvel at the engineering feat completed in 1848. 

Three optional side trips are available:

 ---- a walk up the stairs on the Manhattan side of the bridge to view the tower and the former site of the reservoir (the stairway will be daunting for anyone who experiences difficulty climbing approximately 100 steep stairs).

----  a self-led tour of the Morris-Jumel Mansion (Manhattan’s oldest house – admission $10/$8) at the conclusion of the walk. 

----  a GPS proximity based walking app for the iPhone which identifies long forgotten Croton Aqueduct features On Coogan's Bluff (purchase price $3.99)

Without optional side trips, the walk from the Mansion to the far side of The High Bridge and back is on flat terrain and is approximately 2+ miles (2+ hours).  The tour along with the election of some of the side trips can turn this into a full half day of very unusual adventure right here in the middle of this great metropolitan area.

Reservations are required. Contact: Sara Kelsey, or call 646-303-1448.

rain date: Sunday, the 25th

The Morris-Jumel Mansion Museum

Photo courtesy Sailko

One of the most curious gems hidden away in Washington Heights is the old Morris-Jumel Mansion. It is immediately across the street from the High Bridge Park at 161st St. If you are at the Park you must make a trip to see it (make sure it is open when you want to visit).  It will be well worth the trip.

This often overlooked Colonial site that is now operated as a Museum was once the home of Aaron Burr.  It is open to the public. Both the home and the garden have been restored to the way they were in  the colonial period and make you feel like you have travelled back in time over 200 years to the founding of the nation. In fact, it is the oldest home in Manhattan, having been built in 1765, almost 250 years ago.

It was at this site in the fall of 1776 that General George Washington used the house as his headquarters  for the Battle of Harlem Heights where Washington prevailed over the British. Eventually, however,  he retreated to White Plains over King's Bridge and Dyckman's bridges at the northern end of Manhattan.

It was also at this site after the end of the Revolutionary War, on July 10, 1790 that President George Washington dined with four of his cabinet members (Alexander Hamilton - Secretary of Treasury, John Adams - Vice President, Henry Knox - Secretary of War, and Thomas Jefferson - Secretary of State),  two of whom would go on to become presidents in their own right.

Morris Jumel Mansion c. 1900

last modified 8/14/13