Skinny House | |
&sq=Facebook&lang=en&file=File:Seely_Skinny_House_Mamaroneck_vert_close_DSCN1847_01.jpg) Seely Skinny House (Mamaroneck, New York), built in 1932 by Nathan T. Seely. It is 10 feet wide and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places | |
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| Location | 175 Grand Street, Mamaroneck, New York |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 40°57′17″N 73°44′33″W / 40.95472°N 73.74250°W |
| Area | 0.03 acres (0.012 ha) |
| Built | 1932 |
| Built by | Nathan Thomas Seely |
| NRHP reference No. | 15000235[1] |
| Added to NRHP | May 18, 2015 |
The Skinny House in Mamaroneck, New York, was built in 1932 by African-American carpenter and building contractor Nathan Thomas Seely on an extremely narrow lot of donated land after he lost his home to foreclosure and his company to bankruptcy during the early years of the Great Depression. The 10 feet (3.0 m) wide house has 3 stories and was built on a 12.5 feet (3.8 m) wide plot of land sold to him by his neighbor, to whom he had earlier sold a larger plot of land. The house was constructed entirely from salvaged materials. The New York State Board for Historic Preservation noted “its efficient and beautiful design, careful engineering, and effective interior plan. Challenged by a narrow lot and minimal financial means, Seely created a house that demonstrated both his ingenuity and the desire to provide, above all else, housing for his family.” [2] The Westchester County Historical Society said “its professional construction and ingenious design are a testimony to the dedication of a prominent black contractor to build a solid, functional, and delightful home. It represents both black enterprise and good neighborliness, and is architecturally significant as a symbol of American ingenuity and craftsmanship.”[3][4]
- ^ "National Register of Historic Places Listings". Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 5/18/15 through 5/22/15. National Park Service. 2015-05-29.
- ^ Krattinger, William. "159th Meeting NYS Board for Historic Preservation Meeting Notes" (PDF). New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. p. 10. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
- ^ "Historic Properties Listing - Skinny House". Westchester County Historical Society. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
- ^ "Cultural Resource Information System (CRIS)" (Searchable database). New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Retrieved 2016-03-01. Note: This includes Julie Seely and Jennifer Betsworth (February 2015). "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: South Salem Presbyterian Church Cemetery" (PDF). Retrieved 2016-03-01. and Accompanying photographs