James and Mary Forsyth House

The James and Mary Forsyth House is a Renaissance Revival structure built in Kingston during the 19th century, distinguished by its red brick walls and limestone base. The second floor features segmental brick arches above the windows, while tall Ionic columns frame the front facade.

Renowned architect Richard Upjohn designed this residence for the Forsyth family during the mid-1800s as a showcase of refined taste. The building earned recognition as part of the National Register of Historic Places in 2003.

Over time the building transitioned from a private family home to a Masonic Lodge, reflecting how Kingston's social institutions evolved and changed their meeting places. These shifts show how the community adapted and reorganized its gathering spaces across different eras.

The property sits on Albany Avenue in the uptown area of Kingston, making it easy to locate within the city. Currently occupied as office space for a local construction company, it is not open to the public as a museum but can be viewed from the street.

Despite decades of use as an office space, the interior still retains original parquet flooring, carved baseboards, and decorative plaster cornices from its days as a private home. An L-shaped main hallway with multiple fireplaces demonstrates the generosity of space that Forsyth family enjoyed.

Location: Kingston

Architects: Richard Upjohn

Architectural style: Renaissance Revival architecture

Address: 31 Albany Avenue

GPS coordinates: 41.93278,-74.01417

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:12