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Visit These Presidential Landmarks in the New York Area

Visit These Presidential Landmarks in the New York Area

These landmarks are worth a visit to celebrate our country's leaders.


UPDATED January 2020: Celebrate Presidents Day in a safe and fun way this year by visiting some of our area’s most fascinating historical landmarks: presidential landmarks and historical sites in and near NYC. From one of George Washington’s headquarters to Teddy Roosevelt’s beautiful grounds, New York is chock full of historically significant places and spaces. Most can be visited year-round, too. George Washington would be proud! Check out memorials, birthplaces, and more across the NYC area—and always call or visit the site’s website to check out their latest COVID-19 visiting protocols before you embark on your presidential adventure.

   

Presidential Landmarks in Manhattan

 

Chester A. Arthur House
123 Lexington Ave., Kips Bay
What to Know: When you’re walking around Manhattan, face masks and social distancing are required.
Pay a visit to the home of the United States’ 21st President, Chester A. Arthur. This home was designated a National Historic Landmark on Jan. 12, 1965. Arthur lived in this four-story brownstone for most of his adult life with his family. This landmark is more for walk-by viewing; the home is now privately owned, but the commercial space on the first floor is open to the public.

Grant’s Tomb (General Grant National Memorial)
West 122nd Street and Riverside Drive, Upper West Side
What to Know: The Main Plaza and Overlook Pavilion are open to the public as of Aug. 26, 2020. Services may be limited. Guests must follow social distancing guidelines and wear face masks.
Visit the final resting place of the 18th President of the United States, Ulysses S. Grant, on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. The memorial sits across the road from the renowned Riverside Church. Grant was known as one the American history’s great captains who died on July 23, 1885.

Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace - Temporarily closed
28 E. 20th St. at Broadway, Gramercy Park
Visit the Gramercy area of Manhattan with the family to see the lovely townhouse similar to where President Roosevelt was brought up. There’s a gallery on the ground floor and grand tours of the home are offered. Junior Ranger programs are available for kids.

Morris-Jumel Mansion
65 Jumel Terrace, Washington Heights
What to Know: The mansion is now open to the public, including the new CoVIDA exhibit that pays homage to the victims of the COVID-19 pandemic. Plan your visit ahead of time, let the museum know if your group will include more than six people, and complete a health screening before entering. Masks are required. 
Pass by Washington Heights to see George Washington's headquarters during the Battle of Harlem Heights back in 1776, his first victory of the Revolutionary War–and Manhattan’s oldest house! The mansion now serves as a museum but has been used as a tavern in the past. Aaron Burr was married here as well.

    

Presidential Landmarks in Queens

Queens Historical Society
Weeping Beech Park, 143-35 37th Ave., Flushing

What to Know: Open at limited capacity. Reserve tickets in advance online. Temperature checks will be performed and masks are required. 
The Queens Historical Society is committed to preserving the rich background of Queens via exhibitions, educational programs, and research. Learn about the Kingsland Homestead, which features designs brought to the U.S. by colonists from Europe. Explore the Victorian Parlor, which is set up to look like it would have in the late 1800s. Learn about The Underground Railroad, colonial kids, quilting, and more with the kids, and see seasonal exhibitions. Walking and virtual tours are both now available too!

    

Presidential Landmarks in the Bronx

 

Admiral David Glasgow Farragut Gravesite in Woodlawn Cemetery
Webster Avenue and East 233rd Street
What to Know: Masks and social distancing required at all times, including walking tours of the cemetery.
Visit the final resting place of Admiral David Glasgow Farragut, the first rear admiral, vice admiral, full admiral, and four-star full admiral of the United States Navy. He is best known for his order to "damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!" His wife and son are buried there as well. Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx has been a National Historic Landmark since 2011, has been around since 1863, and is one of the largest cemeteries in NYC.



    

Presidential Landmarks Long Island

 

Sagamore Hill

20 Sagamore Hill Road, Oyster Bay
516-922-4788
What to Know: Park grounds and walking paths are open. Masks required. The Theodore Roosevelt home, Old Orchard Museum, and tours are currently closed.
Pay homage to the 26th President of the U.S., Theodore Roosevelt. He lived at Sagamore Hill from 1885-1919. The home was referred to as his “Summer White House.” While you’re here, tour the lovely surroundings, check out the museum, and visit the cemetery.

 

Huntington Historical Society
209 Main St., Huntington
631-427-7045
What to Know: The antiques and collectibles shop is open to the public. Masks are required inside and around the property.
There’s so much to do and see at the Huntington Historical Society. Its libraries and archives hold a plethora of historical artifacts, portraits, exhibits, and more. Visit the museum shop to collect souvenirs and see lectures and programs that are family-friendly.

    

Presidential Landmarks on Staten Island

 

The Conference House Museum - Currently closed
298 Satterlee St., Tottenville
718-984-6046
Reimagine history at the National Historic Landmark, the Conference House. The site was built in 1680 by a British naval officer and was the sight of a major peace conference attempting to end the Revolutionary war. The house sits on a 267-acre park.

  

Presidential Landmarks in Westchester 

 

Hastings Historical Society
407 Broadway, Hastings-on-Hudson
What to Know: Open to the public by appointment only. Masks and social distancing required.
This riverside village was incorporated in 1879 and the Hastings Historical Society preserves the artifacts and other historical memorabilia from the region, which makes it a great way to honor war veterans, first responders, and U.S. history this Presidents Day.

 

Elijah Miller House - Call ahead
140 Virginia Road, White Plains
The Elijah Miller house was used as George Washington's headquarters during the Revolutionary War's Battle of White Plains. It is now a museum that is open to the public, and has been undergoing renovations since 2017. It reopened just in time for the anniversary of the Battle of White Plains this past October.

Jacob Purdy House
60 Park Ave., White Plains
What to Know: Open by appointment only. Call or go online to schedule.
Another one of George Washington's headquarters, this time during the Battle of White Plains, is now the location of the White Plains Historical Society. You can also visit the Jonathan Purdy Cemetery, whose headstones are undergoing renovations.

 

Presidential Landmarks in Rockland County

 

The DeWint House - Call ahead
20 Livingston St., Tappan
Touted as the oldest surviving structure in Rockland County, this Colonial Dutch house was George Washington’s temporary headquarters on four separate occasions during the Revolutionary War. The house has been restored to look like it did when Washington utilized the space, and the Carriage House is used as a museum and visitor center with exhibits including documents and artifacts from Washington’s stays.

    

Presidential Landmarks in Dutchess County

 

Franklin D. Roosevelt Estate - Currently closed
4097 Albany Post Road, Hyde Park
Visit the home of the 32nd President, Franklin D. Roosevelt, an estate that features the FDR Presidential Library and Museum as well as the Roosevelt Home Garden.

 

Presidential Landmarks in Orange County

 

Washington's Headquarters State Historic Site
84 Liberty St., Newburgh
What to Know: The museum and headquarters are open by appointment only; call to make a reservation. Masks and social distancing required.
The nation's first public historic site once served as George Washington's headquarters and is famously the place where Washington rejected the idea of American monarchy. It is also where the Badge of Military Merit, forerunner of the Purple Heart, was created.

 
 

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Melissa A. Kay

Author: Melissa A. Kay is a writer, editor, and content strategist with over 15 years of experience in the publishing field in the areas of family, beauty, health, employment, lifestyle, entertainment, and more. She lives in Manhattan with her loving husband and inspiring cat, and enjoys reading, fitness, cooking, music, and the amazing experiences New York has to offer. See More

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