At 29 East 4th Street in Manhattan, the Merchant’s House Museum preserves the home and belongings of the Tredwell family, prosperous merchants who lived here from 1835 to 1933. Built in 1832, the four-storey house gives you a close look at 19th-century domestic life, from furnished parlors and bedrooms to the kitchen and servants’ quarters. Explore at your own pace with a booklet, or join a guided tour to hear more about the family, the house and New York’s mercantile past. Its original furnishings and personal objects make the rooms especially rewarding to see.
A family home from 1832
The red-brick house at 29 East 4th Street was built in 1832. Merchant Seabury Tredwell bought it in 1835, and his family lived there for nearly a century. The house became a museum in 1936, founded by a cousin of the Tredwells.
The building is known as the Merchant’s House, the Old Merchant’s House and the Seabury Tredwell House. Its preserved interior and exterior offer a glimpse of domestic life among New York’s prosperous merchant class. The house also tells part of the story of the Irish servants who worked there.
Rooms, furnishings and details
The collection includes original family furniture, decorative arts, books, clothing and personal objects, including mourning jewelry. In the parlors, look for details such as marble mantelpieces and bronze gasoliers. The home’s call bells, once used to summon servants, still work.
The house is an example of Federal and Greek Revival architecture. Its decorative plasterwork is a notable feature of the interiors. The rooms also help place the family’s life in the context of the Bond Street area, once an elite part of the city.
The kitchen offers another perspective on how the household worked. The servants’ cooking took place downstairs, while family meals and formal dinner parties were part of life in the home. Some special tours explore food and dining customs, including New Year’s Day visits and everyday meals.
Planning your visit
You can explore with a self-guided booklet or take a docent-led tour. A guide can add context about the house, the Tredwells and the objects in each room; the booklet lets you set your own pace. The museum also holds themed tours and performances at certain times, so check its calendar if you have a particular event in mind.
The visit involves steep stairs across four floors, and the historic interior has no handicap access. Plan accordingly if stairs are difficult for anyone in your party. The museum is at 29 East 4th Street, just off Astor Place. There is an admission fee, and the museum recommends getting tickets in advance.
FAQ
What can you see at the Merchant’s House Museum?
The house contains original Tredwell family furnishings, books, clothing, decorative arts and personal objects. You can also see rooms including the parlors, bedrooms and kitchen.
Can you visit without a guided tour?
Yes. You can explore with a self-guided booklet, or join a docent-led tour.
How much time should you allow for a visit?
Allow about 1 to 2 hours to explore the four floors and read the room information.
Is the Merchant’s House Museum accessible without stairs?
No. The historic home has steep stairs across its four floors and no handicap access within.
