Exclusive Look at Restoration of Rare Federal Survivor
Seton Shrine and James Watson House, present day
James Watson House and Seton Shrine
Conservancy members enjoyed a rare behind-the-scenes tour of the restoration of one of the few remaining Federal Townhouses in New York City, the James Watson House.
Serving as the Rectory for the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary and St. Elizabeth Seton Shrine, America’s first native-born saint, the James Watson House has had continuous people living it since it was built in 1792 and offers a unique look at early New York. It is the last of a row of mansions that once lined the water’s edge on the tip of Manhattan.
Led by Rev. Peter K. Meehan, Lisa Easton AIA of Easton Architects and Andrew Bardolf of DNA Contracting and Waterproofing, the early-August tour highlighted the ongoing restoration effort of the Rectory as well as the rich history of this rare federal survivor.
Rev. Meehan offered one intriguing anecdote after the next, bringing to life the mission’s rich history as a place for the care and relief of Irish immigrant girls, which was also a shelter for steerage passengers after the sinking of the Titanic. In 1883 Watson’s former residence, at 7 State Street, became the home of the Mission of Our Lady of the Rosary.
The second owner of the house was a ship owner who reportedly remodeled the building by recycling wood from one of his ships to create the columns still standing today.
Leading the roughly 25 tour goers throughout the building’s many corridors, Easton and Bardolf brought expert technical insight on the restoration effort, often using archive photos to help illustrate changes over the years.
“Since the 1800s there have been a series of changes over time but the exterior pretty much remains true to its original collection,” said Easton.
The Conservancy has been involved with the James Watson House since 2001 when the Sacred Sites Program conducted a conditions survey of the building. A few years later the Conservancy helped the congregation alert City and State officials to help fix damage caused by vibrations from nearby subway station construction.
In 2006 the Church received a Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation 2006 EPF grant of $350,000 for roof replacement, and facade restoration including repair of the portico, masonry and 56 windows.
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