Come join the Roosevelt Island Historical Society (RIHS) for a look inside the usually inaccessible to the public Blackwell House, experience a bowl of matcha with a special Japanese Tea Ceremony and buy some unique RIHS Holiday gifts Thursday evening December 11 from 5-9 PM.
According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):
At the corner of East Road and Main Street is a charming wooden home called Blackwell House. Built in 1796 for the Blackwell family, who owned the island for many generations, this cottage is the sixth oldest farmhouse in New York City.
Origin
The original resident of the home was James Blackwell, whose father had inherited the island from his wife’s stepfather, Captain John Manning, the Sheriff of New York. Since New York City purchased the island from the Blackwell family in 1823 to build institutions for the most populous city in the country, Blackwell House became a living quarters for wardens of the almshouse, the hospitals, and the penitentiary.
Changes
The exterior of the modest colonial home has been refurbished and the interior renovation was completed in October of 2020. Blackwell House has become home to some of the island’s historical treasures, records, and archives. It will be used to tell the history of Roosevelt Island through exhibit elements, including images of the island’s landmarked structures and buildings, no longer standing, as well as community stories and experiences.
Viewing Hours
Blackwell House is temporarily closed for public access. You can still permit the space for special events. …
RIHS President Judy Berdy gave a brief talk about the history and future plans for Blackwell House following the November 18, 2020 ribbon cutting ceremony re-opening Blackwell House.
Unfortunately, Blackwell House has been largely inaccessible to the public since its brief re-opening. For a time, it had been used as an office by former RIOC President Shelton Haynes.