NYC 's Dyckman Farmhouse Museum - New York City

The Dyckman Farmhouse Museum has been a New York City Landmark since July 12, 1967. The museum is presently operated by the City of New York/Parks & Recreation and the Historic House Trust.

I visited recently for the first time since childhood. Located on the corner 204th Street and Broadway high enough above the ground is this museum. Within are 2 floors and a sublevel where you'll find the Relic Room. During your trip to this museum you'll find old photographs showing you what the area looked like long ago as well as well maintained rooms for you to look at.

My favorite room happened to be the North Bedchamber which at the time of the Dyckman's residence in this house was the master bedroom. It's my favorite because of its rustic feel with fireplace and other items within. Although you'll not allowed to actually enter the rooms, there are displayed explanations at the entrance to each detailing what life was like so long ago and the uses of the items you'll see. You'll learn about: why a stove was a better form of heat in lieu of the fireplace; how bedchambers had multiple purposes such as: for sleeping; the place for newborn babies and their mothers to spend weeks with rest and convalescence; and how they were used as sick rooms to nurse an invalid experiencing a long illness.

Outside the house are things to look over as well. One of which is the Hessian Hut, a reconstructed hut military hut. Again, you'll find a sign nearby explaining its history.

as excerpted from the Dyckman Farmhouse Museum site
Built in the early 1780's, the Dyckman Farmhouse is so named after the Dyckman Family who resided at this historic site until the 1850s. It was in the 1870s that the farmhouse was sold and became a hotel for a brief period of time. As would and has happened with many other Historical Sites the property fell under disrepair in the early 20th Century.

By the early 20th century, the house had fallen into disrepair. Developers, interested in capitalizing on rising real estate prices due to the IRT subway line's extension to northern Manhattan, wanted to purchase the house and surrounding lots in 1915. As numerous historic structures in Manhattan had already been torn down, many people thought it was important to preserve the Dyckman Farmhouse for future generations of New Yorkers. Mary Alice Dyckman Dean and Fannie Fredericka Dyckman Welch, daughters of the last Dyckman child to grow up in this house, bought the property and gave it to the City of New York in 1916. An adjacent parcel to the northwest was donated to the City by the Dyckman Institute in 1943, increasing the park's area to its present size.

The Dyckman Farmhouse Museum has been open to the public since 1916. It was designated a New York City Landmark on July 12, 1967. The museum is presently operated by the City of New York/Parks & Recreation and the Historic House Trust

Visitor Info:

Educational Programs for students are available at the Dyckman Farmhouse Museum. "Programs at the Dyckman Farmhouse offer classes studying U.S. history, colonial times, neighborhoods, communities and families an in-depth look at the elements of pre-industrial life."
Please contact the museum or consult their website for additional information regarding the programs offered. Naturally, reservations are required and one adult per 10 students in a group/class. Also, $1 per student is requested and $2 per student for craft activities.

Located at: 4881 Broadway at 204th Street in Northern Manhattan
(212) 304-9422

visit their site for updated info regarding hours and such.

Getting There by Subway: A, 1 or 9 trains to Dyckman St. will leave you at a reasonable walking distance.