In this handsomely illustrated tribute to New York City's mayoral residence, author Ellen Stern charts the history of Gracie Mansion from its construction as Archibald Gracie's country home in 1799, to its importance as the home of New York City's mayors and their families (starting with Fiorello LaGuardia in I942), to its splendid 2oo2 restoration and new role as the "People's House" under Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg.

Blending the mansion's architectural and decorative progress--including the Susan B. Wagner wing, designed by architect Mott B. Schmidt, and the contributions of master decorators Albert Hadley, Mark Hampton, and Jamie Drake--with anecdotal portraits of the mayoral families, exclusive interviews with many of those who have lived and worked here, and over two hundred paintings and watercolors, letters and maps, invitations and elevations, designers' sketches, and before-and-after photos, this beautiful volume, written with the cooperation of the Gracie Mansion Conservancy, is the definitive account of a beloved New York landmark that is more popular today than ever before.

FOREWORD by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg

PREFACE

The Merchants

The Museum, the Matrons, and Moses

The Mayors

The Mansion

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

BIBLIOGRAPHY