Smith, Abigail Adams, Museum
Also known as: Stable of "Mount Vernon"
Why it's listed
Built in 1799, this stone coach house and stable at 421 East 61st Street in Manhattan once served an estate on the East River. The land was deeded in 1795 to Colonel William Stephen Smith, who began an unfinished mansion called Mount Vernon. The brick numerals 1799 in the northeast gable suggest that William T. Robinson built or completed the stable. It held six horses, a coach room, cattle shelter below and a hayloft. After the mansion burned in 1826, Joseph Coleman Hart converted the stable into a residence, and it later served as a hotel, a private home and housing for laborers. The Colonial Dames of America acquired it in 1924 and named it for Abigail Adams Smith. The building is two and a half stories, H-shaped, with rock-faced masonry, a two-story wooden veranda, pedimented gables and preserved wagon-door arches. Its Federal exterior and Greek Revival interiors underlie its architectural importance. Later review led to renaming it a museum, since it was a stable rather than her house.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents it as an architecturally notable surviving coach house and stable from the former riverfront estate of Colonel William Stephen Smith. It was later converted to a residence with Greek Revival interiors. Its name recalls Abigail Adams Smith, though reviewers noted she never lived in it and that it is a stable, not a house.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 73001223, listed January 12, 1973. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 421 E. 61st St., New York |
|---|---|
| County | Manhattan |
| Listed | January 12, 1973 |
| Reference number | 73001223 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1799 |
| Architectural style | Federal, with Greek Revival interiors |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent condition and altered, with a survey under way ahead of planned restoration. It is used as a museum and is occupied by its owner, the Colonial Dames of America. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.76052, -73.95976 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 73001223.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6924383
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.