Gerard Crane House, Greek Revival estate in Somers, United States.
The Gerard Crane House is a Greek Revival estate with thick granite walls, ten fireplaces, and high ceilings throughout its spacious interior. The property spreads across approximately 10 hectares and includes several original outbuildings from the 1800s that remain on the grounds.
The house was built in 1849 as the residence of Gerard Crane, who began his career exhibiting exotic animals. He later became a successful circus entrepreneur and constructed this property as a reflection of his rising wealth and status.
The house displays English Renaissance-style plaster moldings and literary decorations that show the refined taste of wealthy 19th-century Americans. These details reveal how property owners used their homes to demonstrate their education and social standing in a rural setting.
The property sits on Somerstown Turnpike across from Old Croton Falls Road and is straightforward to locate. Visitors should plan time to walk the grounds and view the original buildings that dot the landscape.
The front door is hand-carved mahogany weighing approximately 227 kilograms, an uncommon feature in rural Greek Revival homes. The Italian marble mantelpieces throughout the house similarly demonstrate how the owner imported luxury materials and displayed his considerable means.
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