Looking for a holiday gift for the history lover in your life? Check out these great books about the Merchant House Museum! Be sure to order by December 15 for delivery or visit the museum in person!
An Old Merchant’s House: Life at Home in New York City, 1835-1865, by Mary L. Knapp.
An Old Merchant’s House provides an authentic view of the domestic life of the prosperous merchant class in mid-19th century New York. It is based on memoirs, diaries, letters, and a preserved antebellum home belonging to the same family for almost 100 years. The daily life and habits of that family and their neighbors, from entertaining and etiquette to medicine and hygiene, and more, are revealed in fascinating detail. Click here to buy online.
Miracle on Fourth Street: Saving an Old Merchant’s House, by Mary L. Knapp.
Miracle on Fourth Street is the story of the preservation of the Merchant’s House, a family home that belonged to one of the early merchants of New York City. It is a story of creative solutions to structural calamities, heartbreaking setbacks, and the current stewards’ triumph over a final brutal assault on the building that quite literally could have brought the house down. This book is especially relevant today, given the latest threat of catastrophic structural damage from proposed construction next door. Click here to buy online.
In addition to gifts, The Merchant House Museum has many Christmas events this holiday season. Learn more about these special events here.
At Home with the Treadwells: A 19th Century Christmas:
From November 27th to December 29th, step back in time 150 years to discover what Christmas was like in the 1800s! Everything from exquisite decor, to culinary traditions, Santa Claus, and more are shown in detail at the Merchant House Museum. This exhibit is included with the price of regular admission, and showcases the origins of many of our most popularholiday traditions.
A Christmas Carol at the Merchant’s House, Charles Dickens in New York, 1867:
Join Mr. Dickens, portrayed by John Kevin Jones, as he tells his timeless Christmas tale in the museum’s elegant double parlor. Surrounded by 19th century holiday decorations and flickering candles, you’ll be transported back 150 years in this captivating one-hour performance created from Dickens’ own script. Called one of the best holiday shows by TimeOut New York, tickets are $45 and include light food and mulled wine. Find tickets here.
Members Only Holiday Celebration at the Historic 1853 Salmagundi Club:
This event for members of the Merchant House Museum, Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation, and the Salmagundi Art Club will be held on Sunday, December 16th from 2:00-6:00 PM. Come explore the art, have a cocktail at the vintage bar, and explore the building’s preserved details. This members-only event is perfect for meeting friends old and new and learning more about these organizations’ fantastic work. Make sure to RSVP!
