The Admiral's House

History and architecture

As is befitting the station and importance of an executive officer, The Admiral's House on Governors Island is an elegant late Federal style manor house of imposing scale. This porticoed, rectangular mansion with extended wing has the appearance of a Southern plantation house transplanted to New York. It is a two-story structure with basement, built of brick with stone trim, end in situated on landscaped grounds in a setting worthy of its gracious dignity and charm. Both the front and rear of this large dwelling have wide verandas dominated by six-columned Doric cortices. At the roof lines and surmounting the handsome den tilled cornices are plain balustrades. The regal front entrance doorway is centered between four full length windows with laree, paneled shutters. This doorway with intricate leaded transom and side lights has four handsome pilasters capped with ornate acanthus leaves.

Since the House is built on sloping ground, the rear colonnaded veranda is supported by a brick wall with striking round-arched openings leading into the basement level. From the center of the veranda one can descend to the garden by way of an unusual double u-shaped stairway. The entire composition is grand and imposing in appearance. In more than a century and a half, as a permanent installation of the United States Army, Governors Island has been the home of some of the Army's most famous regiments and commanders.

Variously designated as Headquarters, Division of the Atlantic; Hq., Department of The East; Hq., Atlantic Division; Hq., Eastern Division; Hq., Second Corps Area; Hq., First Army; the island ceased being an Army Base December 31, 1965. Among the officers who have been on duty on Governors Island may be mentioned such notable Generals as Winfield Scott, Nelson A. Miles, Leonard Wood, Tacker H. Bliss, Charles P. Summerall, Hugh A. Drum and James A.

Van Fleet. Commanders of the First United States Army include such notable generals as John J. Pershing, Omar N. Bradley and Walter Bedell Smith.

The question has been raised by the Federal Government as to whether this building should be designated by New York City as a Landmark. The Commission wishes to honor a building of which New Yorkers are proud. This Commission is cognizant of the jurisdictional question. Nevertheless, it is very important for the Government of New York City to state officially its deep concern that this building be preserved. There should be no uncertainty about this in anyone's mind.

The Commission would be negligent if it failed to act in this situation. At some time in the future this building may be in jeopardy. Our designation will be especially helpful in alerting New York City's elected representatives in Washington of the importance of saving this building. At present the Commission's specialists can be of service in providing advice so that the architectural integrity of this building is maintained. Indeed a fine relationship already exists with many local representatives of the Federal Government.