HISTORY 

Frederick Philipse I, an architect and carpenter by trade, came to the new world in the later part of the 1640’s to work for the Dutch West India Company. By the time of his death in 1702, few in America would rival his vast wealth, which included nearly 52,000 of Hudson riverfront property, or nearly 1/5 of modern-day Westchester County.

For nearly one hundred years, the Philipse family lived in luxury, supported by various business endeavors, and rents from the many tenant farms on their property, which extended from present day Yonkers to Tarrytown along the Hudson River. Times were changing, however, and while others rebelled against King George III and Great Britain, Frederick Philipse III defended the Crown. Despite his Dutch ancestry, his Loyalist beliefs were strong enough that General George Washington himself ordered Frederick arrested in 1776. Originally under house arrest, Philipse and his family later fled to British occupied New York City and finally on to England, where the last "Lord of the Manor", broken in spirit and health, died in 1786. His vast lands and his mansion were confiscated by the New York State Legislature and sold at public auction.

In 1868, after passing through the hands of many owners, the manor became Yonkers Village Hall and, in 1872, the first City Hall. By the 20th century, city growth threatened the Manor Hall's future until it was acquired by New York State in 1908 with the generous help of the Cochran Family of Yonkers and turned into a historic site, opening to the public in 1912.

Despite being removed from the country for over 200 years, the impacts of generations of the Philipse Family are felt to this day. Both family houses, Philipse Manor Hall and Philipsburg Manor, have been preserved and are open to the public, as well as the creation of the first park in New York City, Bowling Green Park, a popular, highly used park that was funded partially by Frederick II. Again, on the wrong side of history, another lasting impact of the Philipse Family is the concept of Freedom of the Press in America, where, while serving on the New York Supreme Court, a ruling of Frederick II against German immigrant and newspaper entrepreneur, Peter Zenger, was overturned by the jury, establishing the treasured Freedom of the Press in America

Today, Philipse Manor Hall serves as a museum of history, art and architecture, as well as host to community organizations, meetings, educational programs, a free admission community art gallery and many special events. Historical highlights of the Hall include its 18th century, high style Georgian architecture, a rare 1750s papier-mâché Rococo ceiling, and one of the only presidential portrait collections in existence, including six Presidents from New York State.