Van Cortlandt House Museum
Find us!
  • HOME
  • About
    • Mission Statement
    • Give >
      • Wallpaper Bookmarks
      • Holiday Greenery & Wreaths Lynch Creek
      • Furnishing Fun
    • Museum Staff
    • The National Society of Colonial Dames in the State of New York
    • Van Cortlandt Committee NSCDNY
    • The Historic House Trust of New York City
  • Visit
    • VCHM Online Shop
    • Hours Admission Fees and Directions
    • Advance Purchase Tickets Here
    • Welcome Back!
    • Self-Guided Tour
    • Group Tour >
      • Special Access Group Tours
    • Children's Group Tours
    • NEW - Map of Van Cortlandt Park!
  • Education
    • Enslaved Peoples Project Resources
    • Field Trip - Growing up in Little Yonkers
    • Field Trip - The Recruiting Serjeant
    • Pre-visit Guide and Activitites
    • Document Based Questions - DBQ Exercise
    • Teacher Post-Field Trip Survey
    • Educator's Survey - Fall 2020
    • The Chap-Man's Book of Coloring Pages
  • Learn More
    • The History of Van Cortlandt House and Family
    • The History of Enslaved People
    • The History of the Van Cortlandt House as a Museum
    • Highlights from the Collection
    • From the Archives >
      • Susan Kittredge Osgood's Embroidery Pattern Book
    • Gallery of Vintage Images
    • Voices from Van Cortlandt - Directors Blog
    • Events >
      • December '19 - January '20 Program Flyer
  • Events & Programs
    • Camp Programs >
      • Adventures in Time Summer History Camp
      • Spring Break Mini Camp
    • Sister Sites and Local Attractions
  • Site Use
    • Meeting Space
    • Commercial Photography
    • Photography for Personal Use
  • Social Media
  • More
    • Press Room
    • Contact Us
Picture

The Nursery

For many years it was felt that the nursery had seen the least number of alterations since the house was built in 1748. In the winter of 2001, a closer examination of the room raised many questions surrounding its history.  With little evidence beyond the existing wall surfaces, which may date to as late as the early 20th century, these questions may never be answered.  The present paint colors were determined through microscopic analysis at several key points in the room.  The wood trim exhibited a variety of paint layers with the oldest being the dark blue gray. With few clues as to how or even if the Van Cortlandt family used this space, it was decided to retain the long-standing interpretation of this room as a nursery. 

In the 18th century, children seldom participated in the social world of adults.  Instead, children were relegated to a room such as this which was used as a sleeping chamber, a playroom, and a schoolroom. It is likely that the children ate many meals in the nursery or in the kitchen and did not join their elders in the dining room downstairs.  It is unlikely that this room was ever used as a nursery by the Van Cortlandt family because the youngest children to have lived in the house as their primary residence were Anna Maria and Eve who were 14 and 13 when they moved into the house.  They would have shared the second-best bedroom, the East Chamber on the second floor.  
©Van Cortlandt House Museum /NSCDNY   718-543-3344  Contact Us ​