Sailor's Snug Harbor

Category: Seafarer Services

Current use: Cultural Center, since the 1970s
Historic use: Seafarer's retirement
Built: 1831
Architect: Minard Lafever
Designation: National Register of Historic Places, National Historic Landmark: entire 83 acre site; NYC Landmarks include:
* Five Greek Revival buildings (Bldgs A, B, C, D & E)
* Interior of the John J. Marchi Exhibition Hall, Bldg C
* Veterans Memorial Hall
* Perimeter Iron Fence
* North Gatehouse

Description: Retirement campus for "aged decrepit and worn out sailors" situated on the banks of the Kill Von Kull, a narrow channel connecting Newark Bay with the Upper Bay of New York Harbor. Eight main buildings, used as dormitories and mess halls, are connected by corridors of brick and stone, thus obviating the necessity of the Home's guests walking outside during inclement weather.Sailors' Snug Harbor was founded by Robert Randall, Esq., of New York City, whose last will and testament - drawn by Alexander Hamilton, on June 1, 1801 - bequeathed almost his entire estate for the establishment and maintenance of a home for aged and disabled sailors. Mr. Randall's estate, a twenty acre farm, occupied the site of what now is valuable property in Manhattan. It lies between Fourth and Fifth Avenues, and Sixth and Tenth Streets. Thomas Melville, brother of Herman Melville, Moby Dick’s famed author administered the institution from 1867-1884 expanding the facility to accomode up to 800 men.


Source: Federal Writers' Project 1939