The Old New York County Courthouse, better known as Tweed Courthouse, is the legacy of Tammany Hall boss William M. Tweed, who controlled the initial construction. Built over a period of twenty years, between 1861 and 1881, it is the product of two of New York`s most prominent nineteenth-century architects, John Kellum and Leopold Eidlitz. Grandly scaled and richly decorated, the courthouse retains its original spatial arrangement, including thirty monumental courtrooms and a five-story central rotunda. Construction was interrupted in 1871 when Kellum died and the corruption involved in the building's construction was exposed to the public. The project was completed by architect Leopold Eidlitz, who added the rear wing and finished the interior between 1877 and 1881.

Under an accelerated time schedule, John G. Waite Associates, Architects (JGWA) restored a neglected, deteriorated 177,500 square foot courthouse for use by the New York City Department of Education. Recognizing the significance of the historic Tweed Courthouse, JGWA lobbied for its restoration and the responsible use of its interior spaces. JGWA worked with multiple civic entities throughout the restoration process to insure the project ran smoothly. An on-site office was created to expedite the design and construction process. As the first step in the restoration process, JGWA prepared a comprehensive feasibility study for the exterior and interior spaces, documenting existing conditions and recommending procedures for restoration. Utilizing recommendations from the study, the firm applied their profound knowledge of materials conservation and restoration and of nineteenth-century mechanical and structural systems, installing new lighting, security, HVAC, and fire system with only minimal intrusions on the historic spaces.

Tweed Courthouse

Architectural historian Gail Cornell talks about the history of the Tweed Courthouse, including the exploits of William M. "Boss" Tweed and Tammany Hall.

In this podcast, Nancy A. Rankin provides an overview of the design process undertaken by the firm for restoring, preserving and reusing the historic Tweed Courthouse.

In this podcast, Nancy Rankin, architect, describes the process of restoring the marble facade of the Tweed Courthouse in New York City.

In this podcast, Nancy Rankin, architect, describes the restoration of the iconic stone staircase of the Tweed Courthouse in New York City.

In this podcast, Nancy Rankin, architect, describes the process of restoring the octagonal central rotunda of the Tweed Courthouse in New York City.

In this podcast, Nancy Rankin, architect, describes the materiality of the courtrooms in the Tweed Courthouse in New York City.

In this podcast, Nancy Rankin, architect, &nbsp;talks about the late re-discovery and subsequent restoration of the metal corrugated roof of the Tweed Courthouse in New York City.

In this podcast, Nancy Rankin, architect, provides an overview of the design and construction of the historic Tweed Courthouse in New York City.

In this podcast, Nancy Rankin, architect, describes the major changes made to the Tweed Courthouse through the 20th century.

Alexander Hamilton commissioned architect John McComb Jr. to design a Federal style country home on a sprawling 32 acre estate in upper Manhattan. This house was completed in 1802, just two years before Hamilton’s death, and was named “The Grange” after the Hamilton family’s ancestral home in Scotland. The house remained in the family until 1833. Since that time, the Grange has been moved two times, in 1889 to its location at 287 Convent Avenue and most recently to its new home in nearby St. Nicholas Park. The National Park Service manages the site as a National Memorial.

In 2005, The Grange was 250 feet from its original home and hemmed in on three sides by adjacent buildings. Stripped of its porches, with its interior heavily modified, the Grange was far from the “sweet project” that Hamilton envisioned in 1802 – a rural retreat overlooking his New York. A new location was found one block away: St. Nicholas Park, the bucolic refuge at the heart of the vibrant Hamilton Heights community, and part of Hamilton’s original estate. Historic Preservation firm John G. Waite Associates, Architects spent three years investigating the original building fabric, searching for clues of its original appearance and ensuring that the move, new systems, and accessibility features would cause minimal damage to the house. JGWA designed the move and oversaw the construction of a new cellar and basement for mechanical systems and exhibits. &nbsp;

The Grange was finally lifted over the adjacent church and then moved – no ordinary technical feat. It would take three more years to restore the house. JGWA prepared a Historic Furnishings Plan and then determined interior finishes and reproductions of Hamilton’s furniture. Lost interior and exterior features were reconstructed. JGWA also worked with graphic and exhibit designers to develop the basement displays.The use of recycled materials is inherent in preservation, and the Grange is no exception. Brownstone blocks from the 1889 basement were reused for the porch foundation. The 1970s porches were disassembled and reconfigured to recreate the historic porches. Energy- efficient fixtures light the exhibition and service spaces. On the exterior, roof runoff is collected and directed to newly landscaped areas of indigenous plants once found on Hamilton’s property.

Hamilton Grange was the home of Alexander Hamilton, who was the first United States Secretary of the Treasury, a Founding Father, and a political philosopher. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The Federal style does not contain an abundance of ornate designs. However, decoration could be found at the entrance. For example, The Grange&amp;rsquo;s entrance contains a leaded fanlight, leaded sidelight, and Doric columns. Altogether, these features would indicate the residence of an important person.       

In 1889, The Grange was moved to make way for the Manhattan Street Grid. As a result, The Grange was repositioned at a new angle and many changes were made including the creation of an entrance through a side window. In subsequent years, the building was even sandwiched between an apartment building and church. To restore The Grange, the National Park Service moved the home to St. Nicholas Park in 2008. After a lengthy restoration process, the home was reopened in 2011.     

The design of the Federal style emphasizes balance and symmetry. This may be seen in the arrangement of windows, chimneys, doors, porches, and balustrades.  

Searching for clues of its original appearance and ensuring that the move, new systems, and accessibility features would cause minimal damage to the house.Four chimney stacks protruding above the Grange. This is purely for design's sake, as two of the home&rsquo;s four chimney stacks are not functional. Two false chimneys were constructed to maintain the symmetry of the home.

To determine interior finishes and reproductions of Hamilton&amp;rsquo;s furniture.&amp;nbsp;  

JGWA designed the move and oversaw the construction of a new cellar and basement for mechanical systems and exhibits  

A structure designed in the Federal style was usually square or rectangle-shaped with a hipped roof. Contrary to the exterior of the building, the interior rooms were often shaped octagonally.The two octagonal rooms, which served as the parlor and dining rooms, are filled with windows on one side each. With the ability to open the doors between the rooms, and open the windows to the outdoors, these rooms would have created a pleasing open-air feeling in the home.

Third (Current) Location

Second Location

First Location

Hamilton Grange National Memorial

Roosevelt purchased 155 acres at the age of 22 for $30,000. He lived on his estate in Sagamore Hill from 1885 until he died in 1919. He used the house as his “Summer White House” while President of the United States from 1901 to 1909.&nbsp;

The Queen Anne style house was constructed

a mile down the road from Sagamore Hill&nbsp;Image by Kenneth C. Zirkel

The farm shed has been turned into an outdoor exhibit, featuring photographs and information about the Roosevelt family and their lives at Sagamore Hill. And the chicken coop has a workroom on display and some exhibits that can be viewed through the windows.

Sagamore Hill National Historic Site

John G. Waite Associates, Architects PLLC, with offices in Albany and New York City, provides leadership and consulting in the preservation, restoration and reuse of historic properties, including many of the nation&rsquo;s most significant historic landmarks. The firm's approach is based on detailed archival research, thorough investigation and analysis of historic materials and building technology, and a commitment to the most current and effective building conservation procedures.

John G. Waite Associates, Architects

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John G. Waite Associates, Architects

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