Ely, Hervey, House - Rochester, NY
Posted by: 
sagefemme
N 43° 09.090 W 077° 37.050
18T E 287171 N 4780964
138 Troop Street, Rochester, NY 14608
Waymark Code: WMDDFJ
Location: New York, United States
Date Posted: 12/29/2011
Views: 6
"The Hervey Ely House sits like a Greek temple on the top of a hill in Rochester's wealthy "Ruffled Shirt" Third Ward. It is considered to be one of the finest examples of Greek Revival Architecture in western New York State. The house incorporates free standing Greek Doric columns, entablature, pilasters and antae, derived from classical Greek architecture. The interior has elaborate plaster decorations and marble fireplaces." (
visit link)
Hervey Ely, the wealthy owner of the Red Mill grist mill, commissioned Hugh Hastings (or SP Hastings, from Boston, one of America's foremost architects, according to the sign outside the house). It is very elaborate inside, including nine fireplaces, most of which are of hand carved marble.
The house was built in 1837, by Hugh Hastings. Shorthly thereafter, when the price of wheat four fell by more than half, the house was sold at auction. The subsequent owners of the house were Bishop Whitehouse, William Kidd, Aristachus Champion, Jonathan Watson, Azariah Boody, Dr. Howard Osgood, and Harry Riener, all prominent citizens of Rochester.
"The house has been owned since 1920 by the Irondequoit Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The carriage house (annex) was connected to the main house by a covered 'walk-thru' after 1920. The Hervey Ely House is now used as a meeting house for the Daughters of the American Revolution and it may be rented by other groups." (
visit link)
Also according to the sign outside, the house is currently a museum, and a genealogical library. I will need to do more research before posting museum hours.