Gracie Mansion

The wealthy Scottish merchant Archibald Gracie constructed the mansion that now serves as the official residence of the mayor of the City of New York in 1799, near a bend in the East River and five miles north of the city center. After the surrounding farmland was gradually urbanized, the house held carpentry and home economics classes for children and at one time served as an ice-cream parlor. Fiorello LaGuardia established Gracie Mansion as the mayor's residence in 1942. Today, the mansion exhibits work by New York artists, and the main floor is open to the public.

On-site programs: The Gracie Mansion Conservancy offers school tours of the house that explore various aspects of New York's past, ranging from the history of the Revolutionary War to the development of upper Manhattan. Visits can be customized to fit particular grade or curricular needs. (Grades K–12; free)

General information: Address: 88th Street and East End Avenue, New York, NY; Phone: (212) 570-4773; Web: www.ci.nyc.ny.us/html/om/html/gracie.html.

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