Built 1884 Designated NHL May 11, 1976 Opened 1884 Architect Calvert Vaux | NRHP Reference # 76001251 Designated NYCL March 15, 1966 Added to NRHP 11 May 1976 | |
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Location 15 Gramercy Park South, Manhattan, New York City, New York Architectural styles Gothic architecture, Gothic Revival architecture Similar Gramercy Park, National Arts Club, Margaret Sanger Clinic, Alfred E Smith House, Chester A Arthur House | ||
The Samuel J. Tilden House was the home of Samuel J. Tilden, former governor of the U.S. state of New York and fierce opponent of the Tweed Ring and Tammany Hall. Originally built in 1845, Tilden lived in the brownstone from 1860 until his death in 1886. From 1881 to 1884, Calvert Vaux combined it with the row house next door, also built in 1845, to make the building that now stands, which has been described as "the height of Victorian Gothic in residential architecture" with Italian Renaissance style elements.
Tilden ran for president in 1876, winning the popular vote, but losing the electoral college to Rutherford B. Hayes. This was one of the end points of the Reconstruction. In those tumultuous times, he had both rolling steel doors and a secret escape tunnel.
Since 1906, the house has been occupied by the National Arts Club, a private arts club.
The building was designated a New York City landmark in 1966, and declared a National Historic Landmark in 1976. It is located in the Gramercy Park Historic District.