The Lost Interiors of the Phelps-Morgan Mansion in Manhattan

[@johnvonundzu2170]

Interesting that Mr. & Mrs. Stokes only lived here circa 1895-1904 these pics really are a moment frozen in time. A young couple furnishing in a style that would be completely passe before 1910. I would love to see how their taste evolved. Lots of great info packed into six minutes - many thanks.

[@richardmeo2503]

I am a retired FDNY Captain 1980-2003, who worked on Lower East Side 1980-1990. The Law Stokes helped champion changed the Tenements from the original "Old Law" prior to 1901 to his "New Law" designation. The first floor was now Non-combustible, Stairs and hallways also Non-combustible and larger. Transoms in halls were not allowed. Access to cellar/basement via exterior stair only, more interior fire-stopping protected larger apartments and air-shafts. Much improved from older tenements. This show is great with the videos of the old times and Bldgs.

[@geegstar]

@richardmeo2503 Thank you for this information! It is good to know details of at least SOME of the measures put in place to protect these places!

[@kevintonks3034]

Thank goodness it survived. Another great video.

[@dmd5645]

Wowie, wow, wow, wowsers!!!. I LOVE Stokes vision and realization!. Every inch covered!. To me, gorgeous!. And, funny, the rooms are the perfect size!.

[@davidfaulkner8201]

A happy ending for this house . At least it survives even though the interiors changed . The Morgan Library is a beautiful building also .

[@claireburkus8497]

Mr. Stokes was an interesting man!!! All that work documenting the layout and building of the city are amazing..

[@jrgnc1]

Yay, here's one for the historic mansion...it survived.

[@brettedwardstout7096]

I love the Morgan library!!!

[@Alejoninla]

another beautiful house! The Morgan Library is awesome and they do have a KZbin channel offering all kinds of educational videos. Ken has the amazing talent to summarize so much content in just a few minutes. Thank you for keeping the presentation short and concise!

[@sopwithsnoopy8779]

At least it was saved!

[@LJB103]

It's hard to judge what the Morgan redo would have looked like without the furniture in situ. I have been there, and do think that the interior framework looks great. Excellent video. I get a bit of a mental chuckle over the Sargent portrait of Mr. and Mrs. Stokes. Mr. Stokes is in it only because the dog was unavailable!

[@kimdaniel4539]

I'm going to visit my son in Nov. And I have added this place to my to do list. Thank you

[@lila6117]

I hope some of your viewers send you some photo of the inside of the Mansion now. Once again, thank you Ken!

[@StamperWendy]

TY, Ken, I appreciate your time 🤓

[@jodirauth8847]

The houses you share with us are amazing, you are a class act

[@Ukie88]

I’d love to have explored the attic.

[@hewitc]

I have been there. One of many architectural gems from when Murray Hill was the place to be for New York's elite. The Robb house at 23 Park and the Lanier house at 123 E. 35th are excellent examples.

[@andrewbrendan1579]

Good for Mr. and Mrs. Stoakes for staying in the house for so long. A big, grand house yet not over-the-top. Though we don't have Before photos to go along with the After, I probably would have preferred the Before as I don't care for the busy, cluttered late 1800's interiors.

[@debbiem9218]

I agree with you sometimes less is better-less clutter that's for sure. You should see the clutter in my little abode, but hey, it's mine and it's paid for!

[@bobeg749]

The Morgan is a wonderful place. The Phelps-Stokes house was purchased in 1988. It was one of three related mansions. The other two were demolished to make way for the Library. The only part of the Phelps Stokes house open to the public is on the main floor and consists of the bookshop and a public dining room. I assume that all the other rooms are now offices and work areas for the Morgan.

[@valsainking]

That mid-1850s (?) rendition of a 'drone' view of Manhattan @0:43 is pretty spectacular.

[@sarasmith99]

I have a copy of Stokes' wife's portrait in my bathroom! Didn't know who she was.

[@LockportDan]

The interiors of the Morgan Library are glorious. And, since I last visited, additions have been made. Never knew that was the former Stokes mansion used as an addition.

[@cmwHisArtist]

Gone are the days when people lived inside pieces of art. And amazing artists had jobs that they loved. This is progress, existing in plain boring sterile cubes ?

[@randolphsrants]

NICE

[@CuriousEarthMan]

Thank you Ken!

[@dennisthomas6782]

Absolutely beautiful , stunning !

[@michaelcharley8384]

I believe the mansion directly north across the street was used as the exterior shot of the residence of Victor Zeigler in "Eyes Wide Shut", shown at the 2 minute 55 second mark on the left, that is now either an embassy or consulate. That said it might be interesting for This House to do something on residences converted to embassies and consulates.

[@kathleenadams3770]

I love the sitting room

[@roxyshow123]

The Victorians were really into clutter. Leave no space uncluttered. More is more.

[@miladycabrera6004]

Thanks for the interesting information.❤❤

[@sandrashevel2137]

Thank you. ❤

[@samsmom1491]

I always view these mansions with a mixture of mortified disgust at the expense only to meet a wrecking ball within decades and absolute delight at the beautiful antiques, works of art, etc. At least J.P. Morgan did a lot for the poor.

[@tobiolopainto]

Stokes had a hand in the Ansonia Hotel/apartments. There are pictures of the original entrance and fancy halls and rooms that have been renovated out of existence to make more rentable units on the ground floor.

[@sprague49]

Right across E. 37th Street from the Phelps-Morgan Mansion is the gorgeous Beaux-Arts Joseph Raphael De Lamar House, which is now the Polish Consulate.

[@TedBeyr]

I love moorish-inspired rooms from this time period.

[@BambiBerkhardt]

There is a Phelps-Stoaks chapel where I attended college at BEREA COLLEGE

[@BlueKnightErrant]

I am the only one who paused the video to examine all the details in rooms like the study with it's knight and samurai armors? lol 🧐

[@Vichyfarm]

I do it all the time 😊

[@dixirose111]

The Smoking Room is my favorite.

[@clairwaucaush7225]

Those rooms were astounding. Then 'renovated'?! The overall view I get from these videos and studying and touring old mansions is that A LOT of those people had more money that sense. They were spoiled, self centered and frivolous. And all for nothing, probably 80% of all those mansions are gone.

[@sarahsunsetpark]

Hi, can you tell me who owned the mansion at fifth Avenue and 42nd St. North east corner? When I moved here in 1986 there was a mansion that was torn down and replaced with the store. Would you happen to know what that was and who owned it and what the history was of that house? Really enjoy your videos on the old mansions of New York City. Thank you.

[@rtroyer8963]

That mansion is so over the top garrish, designed in the “I can’t spend money fast enough” style. Eeeeeek!

[@jarodmoses1126]

Speaking as a descendent from the minturn “distant cousin….very distant” I’m glad the mansion stands and the Morgan’s did something in good taste “even though the interior could have been a bit better when they took over” but so is time and New York

[@jpfloru8669]

This house should be open to the public. Now only museum staff use it - outrageous. Museums are for the people, not for the staff

[@anteeker]

So what is the interior like today? Is it restored as a residence or is it like a library inside?

[@CPAndy-x5x]

"More is MORE."

[@corbittgenter]

Would be awesome if AI colorized these photos ❤

[@ThisHouse]

I hand colorized Mrs. Astor's mansion interiors. AI often colorizes incorrectly. Here is a side by side comparison of AI vs hand colorized: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZqClmHyifqZri80

[@nautifella]

@@ThisHouse Your _hand work_ is remarkable.

[@asylumlover]

KEN, AT LEAST IT'S STILL THERE, BUT STRANGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TOTALLY GUTTED AND REDONE NOT ONCE BUT TWICE????????????? AND I HAVE BEEN TO THE MORGAN LIBRARY, BUT I HAVE NO RECOLLECTION OF THIS MANSION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LONG LIVE THIS HOUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@TheFiown]

I wonder if there is a book called 'the lost houses of America' because it would run to several volumes ! The US has demolished homes that rival many here in France, even an American Versailles that was bulldozed ! Even today they are still doing it and losing amazing architecture, jsut look at Detroit, once such an incredibly important city. How sad.

[@RobertodelaVega-t3w]

The Victorians were America's BEST Designers.

[@oliviamoore3621]

no, lets linger!!!!

[@123pb]

Proof that wealth people hoard on a different level...lol

[@curtisrobinson7962]

I wanted to see the toilet.

[@davidpitchford6510]

I find all of that fancy furniture, drapes, tassels, rugs. antlers and general SAOT'P styling (sh*t all over the place) choking every square foot of space utterly uncomfortable and stifling. Like living in a storage warehouse LOL

[@fitgraphisva]

Thank you. I figured I was the only one who had similar thoughts. To me it looked stuffy and an exercise in conspicuous consumption. However, I remain thrilled the owner was civic-minded and helped frame tenement laws.

[@davidpitchford6510]

@@fitgraphisva Yes and some people genuinely prefer this kind of full, luxurious furnishings and that's fine; it is just not my personal preference.

[@anthonypopola5773]

Anson Phelps Stokes built Shadowbrook in Lenox Mass, at the time in 1894, it was the largest house in the country, until Biltmore was finished a year later

[@johnpaulkane6153]

It's funny people back then. Used to look so serious looking into the camera. Now they give you a right complete picture of their teeth

[@chriswitt2596]

You're talking too fast

[@KeithRobertson-e3r]

Another fabled lifestyle of the few "Rich & Famous", as opposed to the many hardworking day to day poor.

[@skpjoecoursegold366]

[@Electra-xm7lu]

5:35 Whatever is now adjacent to it, it's pitiful. The exterior of this mansion is gorgeous but the french rococo interiors were horrible.