Day Two - My Visit to Gracie Mansion

After I finished my visit to the Mayor’s office, and Wall St., I took the 1 Train back uptown to 242^nd St. Then I took a cross-town bus all the way to the East River, to tour Gracie Mansion.

ME ON THE NYC SUBWAY, 1 TRAIN UPTOWN

Gracie Mansion is the official home of the Mayor of New York City. Built during 1799, it is located in a park at East End Avenue and 88th St.. The mansion is on the shore of the East River.

                         ME AT GRACIE MANSION

Archibald Gracie built the original two-story wooden mansion. A different building on approximately the same site was commandeered by George Washington during the Revolutionary War, as it strategically overlooked the river. That building was called Belview Mansion. The British destroyed this house during the war. Archibald Gracie then built another building, what is now known as Gracie Mansion, on the same site during 1799, and used it as a country home until 1823, when he had to sell it to pay debts.

Today Gracie Mansion house may only be used for official city business. Only visiting public officials and the mayor's family may reside with the mayor at the mansion, even for a single overnight stay.


Fun NYC Factoid:

Mayor Bloomberg has never actually lived in Gracie Mansion. He is divorced and if he allowed his girlfriend to stay at Gracie Mansion, even for one day, it would violate the rules against a political official using a taxpayer-funded home for a private citizen. Mayor Bloomberg lives in an apartment close by, and only uses Gracie Mansion as a place to stay for visiting dignitaries and to host special events.