Old Merchant's House

On the other side of town, near the East River, sits the Old Merchant's House at 29 East 4th St., a unique survivor of old New York. Built in 1832, it is now a museum.

The house once belonged to Seabury Tredwell, a wealthy hardware merchant, who was its first occupant in 1835. Tredwell and his wife, Eliza, had eight children. Three of them were daughters: Phoebe, Sarah and Gertrude, whom he was fiercely protective of. It was said that he forbade them to meet any suitor whom he suspected to be after his daughters' wealth.

As the city continued to grow and housing priorities changed among its residents, the Tredwells' neighbors gradually abandoned the neighborhood, but the Tredwells refused to leave.

The house has been a national historic landmark since 1964 and is still said to be haunted. Most sightings have been reported in the kitchen, although Gertrude's presence has been felt in her bedroom occasionally. The ghost, thought to be Gertrude, takes the form of a small elegant woman, dressed in mid-19th century finery.

According to records, Gertrude, who was born in the house, never married. She died in an upstairs bedroom in 1933, following the birth of an unwanted baby, which had met with strong disapproval from the family.

She loved her house. They say she still loves it. They say she still lives in it.

The Old Merchant's House stands out in the neighborhood - one of the few 19th century homes preserved intact with its original furniture, art, clothing and personal memorablia.

The building stands out in what once was a wealthy neighborhood.