Bartow-Pell Mansion and Carriage House
Also known as: Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum
Why it's listed
Built of granite ashlar with smooth granite trim and cast iron balconies, this country house in Pelham Bay Park, Bronx, dates to about 1836-1842. Robert Bartow, a descendant of Thomas Pell, who acquired the Manor of Pelham in the 17th century, had it built after the land returned to the family in 1836. The central block is two stories and five bays wide, flanked by a two-story north wing and a one-story south wing. Interior features include ceiling ornaments imitating acanthus and Egyptian lotus leaves, pedimented doors and windows, and a curved self-supporting stair. A granite Carriage House in the same style and a small Pell family burial ground stand nearby. The architect is unknown, though Minard Lafever has been suggested. The City of New York bought the property in 1888. The International Garden Club leased the house in 1914 and funded its preservation, and it has been a house museum since 1946.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents the mansion as one of the finest Greek Revival houses in the New York City area, refined in design and interior detail. It also reflects the long association of the Pell family with the former Manor of Pelham, which spanned about two centuries.
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 74001220, listed December 30, 1974. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Pelham Bay Park, Shore Rd., New York |
|---|---|
| County | The Bronx |
| Listed | December 30, 1974 |
| Reference number | 74001220 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1836-42 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated December 8, 1976 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The form lists the mansion as occupied by a club and open to the public as a house museum since 1946, and the Carriage House as vacant. The mansion was preserved from 1914 under the firm of Delano and Aldrich, and the grounds are now part of Pelham Bay Park. |
| Acreage | 9.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.87201, -73.80515 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
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 74001220.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4865770
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.