$20M Restoration: 'Architectural Treasure' Philipse Manor Hall Reopens

YONKERS, NY — A historic Hudson Valley "architectural treasure" is looking like new and is ready for visitors to explore a more complete picture of the past, present and future, following a massive restoration project.

Governor Kathy Hochul announced on Wednesday the reopening of Philipse Manor Hall State Historic Site in Yonkers after a $20 million renovation of the building and grounds, as well as the design of new exhibits. These new exhibits are intended to boost the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation's "Our Whole History" initiative, which aims to ensure that New York's historic sites embrace stories that reflect the diversity of the state and nation's history.

"Philipse Manor Hall provides a unique window into early Colonial-era life in New York and lends itself to telling the first chapters of the nation's path to independence," Gov. Hochul said. "The people who lived, worked and traded at the Philipse family home in the 18th century had a tremendous impact on shaping the lower-Hudson Valley. This renovation of Philipse Manor Hall reflects New York State's strong commitment to preserving our shared heritage - illuminating the full spectrum of our state's diverse culture and history."

Philipse Manor Hall is a National Historic Landmark and a Yonkers Landmark; a status that State Parks officials said they carefully considered when approaching the delicate rehabilitation at the site. In addition to the architectural restoration of the hall, the grounds and building have been updated to improve accessibility, which includes a newly constructed addition that houses new accessible bathrooms and an elevator. The new exhibits have been designed to meet the needs of multilingual speakers, the hearing and visually impaired, visitors with wheelchairs and walkers, and promises to be be sensitive to visitors of all ages, abilities and cultural experiences.

Prior to its reopening, Philipse Manor Hall received approximately 15,000 visitors a year, and renovations are expected to double the amount of visitors to approximately 30,000 a year.

The exhibits are also offered virtually for those who are unable to visit the site in person, which expands the reach of the site's dynamic history to an international audience. A website devoted to additional historic and interpretative content called the "Virtual Wing" will include a 360° virtual tour.

The new exhibits incorporate the journeys of the Philipse family, the indigenous people from whom the Philipse lands derive, and enslaved Africans, whose work and trade allowed the Philipse family to prosper during the pre-Revolutionary era. Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said, "While past exhibits and lectures have documented the role that Africans and indigenous people contributed to NYS history, these expanded permanent exhibits more fully depict and share this complex history with visitors."

The exhibits include a variety of interactive elements, including augmented reality experiences, touch, smell, and sound — including colonial period languages Munsee, Dutch and KiKongo — in support of diverse learning experiences.

"We do not show history through subtraction, we show history through telling the whole story," Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano said. "With the addition of key Yonkers figures and milestones, Philipse Manor Hall will now be a place that takes our residents and visitors on a bona fide journey. I want to thank our partners at the state level for this investment which will document and preserve our city's growth and development for generations to come."

NYS is also partnering with the Municipal Housing Authority of Yonkers (MHACY) and Yonkers Arts to curate an exhibition about the late rapper and actor Earl Simmons, also known as DMX. "Look Thru My Eyes: a DMX Story," will open later this year. The exhibition is co-curated by Ray Wilcox of Yonkers Arts with curation and creative support from Raissa Fitzgerald and Wilson Kimball of MHACY.

NYS's ownership of the site was established through benefactor Eva Smith Cochran, who entrusted the state to preserve the site in perpetuity for the benefit and education of New Yorkers. Prior to this, the site served as the Village of Yonkers and eventually, City of Yonkers City Hall. The new exhibits also explore these eras of transition and the gift from Cochran to the city, as well as the transfer to the state for the site's preservation and interpretation for the benefit of all New Yorkers and visitors.

"I want to thank Governor Kathy Hochul for investing $20 million in Philips Manor Hall, one of the oldest National Historic Landmarks in our beautiful County," Westchester County Executive George Latimer said. "The Manor House dates back to the 1600's and was home to Frederick Philipse III, and also served as the first Yonkers Village Hall in 1872. This extensive restoration brings the site up to the 21st Century and will allow future generations to experience its rich history through new art, exhibits, presentations and educational programs."

The NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more, which are visited by 78 million people annually. For more information on any of these recreation areas, visit the website.