121 Heberton Avenue House

STATUS Designated Individual Landmark

121 Heberton Avenue

CLIENT: Captain John J. Housman

ARCHITECT: James G. Burger

DATE: 1859-61

STYLE: Rustic

Port Richmond Rustic Staten Island

Designated: December 17, 2002

This residence, constructed by carpenter-builder James G. Burger around 1859-61, is a rare surviving example in New York City of a picturesque villa in the Rustic style. Combining elements derived from the pattern books of Gervase Wheeler, Calvert Vaux, and Samuel Sloan, the design features the broad gables, openwork brackets, long outside galleries, raised basement, and simple ornament characteristic of the style. Probably built by Burger as a speculative investment, this house passed, soon after its completion, to Captain John J. Housman, a prosperous oysterman and noted abolitionist.

STATUS Designated Individual Landmark

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Port Richmond

Port Richmond is a neighborhood situated on the North Shore of Staten Island. Formerly an independent village, it is one of the oldest neighborhoods on the island. In the 19th century it was an important transportation and industrial center of the island, but this role...

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City Lore, Folklorist
Bronx Music Heritage Center, Co-Artistic Director

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