Seamen's Retreat

Category: Seafarer Services

Current Use: Hospital
Historic Use: Sailor's Home
Built: 1834
Designation: NYC Landmark

Description: The granite Greek Revival hospital building (1850s) and physician-in-chief's residence (1842) last from the old Seaman's Retreat. Established in 1831 by the New York legislature and supported by a tax (which was later declared unconstitutional) on each ship entering the port the facility was charged with caring for sick and disabled seamen. The property was operated by the State until 1883 when it came under the U.S. Public Health Service replacing a hospital it lost on Bedloe (Liberty) Island due to the construction of the Statue of Liberty. It closed in 1981, was taken over by Sisters of Charity of New York as Bayley-Seton Hospital, and closed to sell the property in 2005.