William H. Seward House

Seward House Museum
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. National Historic Landmark
Location	33 South St., Auburn, NY
Coordinates	42°55′32.85″N 76°33′58.91″W / 42.9257917°N 76.5663639°WCoordinates: 42°55′32.85″N 76°33′58.91″W / 42.9257917°N 76.5663639°W
Built	1816–1817
Website	SewardHouse.Org
NRHP Reference #	66000504
Significant dates
Added to NRHP	October 15, 1966[1]
Designated NHL	January 29, 1964[2]

The William H. Seward House Museum, is a circa 1816 historic home located at 33 South Street between Lincoln and William Streets in Auburn, New York, that was once the home of William H. Seward, who served as a New York state senator, the governor of New York, a U.S. senator, a presidential candidate, and then Secretary of State under presidents Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson.

History

The house was originally built in 1816 by Judge Elijah Miller, Seward's the father-in-law. The home was substantially modified by the Sewards in 1840 and again 1866 to accommodate the diplomatic entertainments expected of his offices. The original 10-room brick house was expanded to over 30 rooms, and was occupied by blood relatives until 1951. Among other notable accomplishments, Seward negotiated the 1867 purchase from Russia of Alaska, which became known as "Seward's Folly". Although he spent many years in Albany and Washington, D.C., he called this house his home from the time of his marriage in 1824 until his death. The entire house remains furnished with extensive Seward-family collections.

Historic listings

The house was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1964,^[2][3] and added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1966.^[1]

Gallery

• 
  Drawing Room
• 
  Original basement kitchen, later used as hiding place for runaway slaves on the Underground Railroad
• 
  This carriage was involved in an accident that severely injured Seward leaving him bed ridden the night Lincoln was shot, when another conspirator attacked Seward with a knife.

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Cayuga County, New York

References

Notes

1. National Park Service (2007-01-23). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
2. "Seward House Museum". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. 2007-09-11.
3. Richard Greenwood (January 17, 1976). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: William Seward House" (pdf). National Park Service. and Accompanying photos, exterior, from 1975. (642 KB)

External links

• Official site: SewardHouse.Org