Built 1816–1817 NRHP Reference # 66000504 Area 1 ha | Website SewardHouse.Org Designated NHL January 29, 1964 Added to NRHP 15 October 1966 | |
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Location 33 South St., Auburn, NY Similar Fort Hill Cemetery, Harriet Tubman Home, Schweinfurth Art Center, Harriet Tubman National, Emerson Park | ||
The William H. Seward House Museum, is a circa 1816 historic home located at 33 South Street between Lincoln and William Streets in Auburn, New York, that was once the home of William H. Seward, who served as a New York state senator, the governor of New York, a U.S. senator, a presidential candidate, and then Secretary of State under presidents Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson.
The house was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1964, and added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1966.
History
The house was originally built in 1816 by Judge Elijah Miller, Seward's father-in-law. The home was substantially modified by the Sewards in 1840 and again 1866 to accommodate the diplomatic entertainments expected of his offices. The original 10-room brick house was expanded to over 30 rooms, and was occupied by blood relatives until 1951. Among other notable accomplishments, Seward negotiated the 1867 purchase from Russia of Alaska, which became known as "Seward's Folly". Although he spent many years in Albany and Washington, D.C., he called this house his home from the time of his marriage in 1824 until his death. The entire house remains furnished with extensive Seward-family collections.
