HARLEM, NY — The Morris-Jumel Mansion in Sugar Hill, Manhattan’s oldest house, has begun a significant $10 million restoration project.
NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura, Historic House Trust Executive Director Giulietta Fiore, and City Councilmember Carmen De La Rosa joined community members to mark the start of construction for the 1765 landmark.
This restoration aims to safeguard the historic site, return the Mansion to a condition befitting its landmark status, and strengthen its role as a cultural beacon for Upper Manhattan.
The project, which began as a $2.7 million effort in 2021, grew to approximately $10 million through advocacy and public investment.
“While my role has expanded, the Morris-Jumel Mansion will always be close to my heart,” NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura said. “Its preservation is a powerful reminder of why historic places matter.”
The first phase of construction, starting this month, will focus on the Mansion’s exterior.
This work includes replacing the roof, restoring windows and architectural details, repairing historic wood siding, and renewing the iconic porch and columns.
The Mansion will be closed to the public on weekdays for up to six months during roof replacement for visitor safety. Roger Morris Park will remain open.
“This groundbreaking is more than just a construction milestone,” Giulietta Fiore, Executive Director of the Historic House Trust, said. “It is a celebration of history, community, and the belief that every New Yorker deserves a meaningful connection to our shared past.”
The Morris-Jumel Mansion, built in 1765, is the oldest surviving house in Manhattan and once served as headquarters for George Washington during the American Revolution.
Now a museum within the Jumel Terrace Historic District, the landmarked mansion sits in the historic Sugar Hill neighborhood, which was once home to prominent Harlem Renaissance figures, including Duke Ellington and Paul Robeson.
Funding for the project was provided by former Mayors Bill de Blasio and Eric Adams, former Manhattan Borough Presidents Gale A. Brewer and Mark Levine, and former Councilmember Ydanis Rodriguez.
Support continues with Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Senator Robert Jackson, Assemblymember Al Taylor, and Councilmember Carmen De La Rosa.
The Morris-Jumel Mansion will continue offering guided walking tours and virtual programming during the restoration.
“This project will reconstruct and preserve the Mansion’s exterior while adding critical accessibility improvements, ensuring this cultural and historical anchor remains welcoming and accessible to our community for generations to come,” Councilmember Carmen De La Rosa said.
The Morris-Jumel Mansion is located at 65 Jumel Terrace.
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