Severe neglect plagues oldest surviving house in Manhattan, the Morris-Jumel Mansion
1. The Morris-Jumel Mansion: A Neglected Piece of History:
- The Morris-Jumel Mansion, the oldest surviving house in Manhattan, is in a state of severe neglect.
- Built in 1765, the mansion has historical significance as a base of operations for George Washington during the Revolutionary War and as the home of Eliza Jumel, a prominent figure of the American Enlightenment era.
2. Decay and Lack of Funding:
- The mansion's exterior is deteriorating, with peeling paint and collapsed columns.
- Despite efforts to secure funding, the rehabilitation project has been delayed due to bureaucratic processes and inadequate funds.
3. Blame on Inert Bureaucracy and Board of Trustees:
- The city's Parks Department, responsible for maintenance, has been slow to act.
- The mansion's board of trustees, lacking prominent donors, has failed to cultivate wealthy contributors.
4. Public-Private Partnerships and Historic Preservation:
- The lack of private funding for the mansion is seen as a missed opportunity for public-private partnerships.
- The preservation movement in New York aims to prevent both destruction and aesthetically dubious development.
5. A Symbol of America's Complex Equation:
- The Morris-Jumel Mansion represents the historical and cultural complexities of the United States.
- The neglect and decay of the mansion reflect a profound contempt for history.
6. Exhibit Showcasing Women's History:
- An exhibit at the mansion highlighted the role of women close to Aaron Burr, emphasizing their agency and the fight for women's rights.
- The mansion serves as a living embodiment of the country's history, with its rot and decay as evidence of neglect.
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