New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-10-15
1 COLONIAL HONESTElD.
TIE KING MANSION ~ JAMAICA TO BE PRE-
SERVED AND RESTORED.

THE KING MANSION IN JAMAl' ~ d. M
SERVED AND RESTORED.
The Oldest house owned by New-York city
Will lose not a 1.-THE Of It's quaint beauty and
Colonial atmosphere II the intentions ~ tn
landscape artist. Nj De Wolf, and If PARK Com
missioner George Y. Brewer are carried INTO
effect Two and half years ago the village of
Jamaica purchased from John 3. King his an
cestral home I'm the heart % tnat ceitrnfltF
The tract Of nine acrss Vas rar~"o Kings PORK
and the public was inv.t-i - oni"; lis VOL pre-
served buildings and wide - te..l.Le Shade trees
Then came the consolidation and tho place
passed into the hands Of the Park Co''fois-
sioner 1t was decided that the Colonial Dwell
ing should he preserved as rpica! LorS lSland
homestead Of the most di4riael class
The grounds are now b.'ng treated BE accord
an-e with a plan proposed by Mr. De Wolf. who
says. I'VE want 10 show the people q New
York city how a Long Island Colonial family
actually lyed.' His first concern was the res
ervatlon Of the trees, which are among the old
cst and noblest Long Island. They were
planted by Ruff, King and by the father Of the
pr, sent John A. King. and range in age from -
to 100 years Tho pines have been the first to
show signs Of old age. several dying from that
clrse These have been cut down. and those
whose urper limbs ere whitening have been
topped by skilfui Workmen. The other varieties
show great vigor An Italian oak imported 10
these shores and planted more than seventy I've
years ago by the father of the las; owner shows
no abatement Of It's natural forces and l. among
the most attractive IN color and form.
The grounds are being restored in the quaint
stvle u two hundred years ago. with box hor-
dered lowered beds containing foXg!o' -, sweet
williams. four oclocks. arkspurs and holly
hooks These viii be kept in as prim and prec SO
order as the children OF the neghhorhood VIII
permit Relies Of other days will be scattered
about the grounds IN the crotch ~ one ancient
tree hangs the dinner bell that summoned the
farm laborers IN another thriving 'urrant
bush bears fruit each year beyond th" reach OF
covetous hands The old we'll still provides its
unfailing supply II water. The homestead was
once a small world in itself. with its ample stor-
age houses and elaborate household appliances.
Tho more recent section oc the Colonial man
sion was built in lSu5, the older portion ante
dates II hv one hundred years. When tn aNdl-
ton was made the kitchen and paniri's were
moved from the east side 10 the north. making
wnv for "A dining room ~ splendid proportions
and for bedrooms above II. The nantes IN the
larger rooms are If imported marhes Inc smut
ters are without Stats. The light that streams
into the dining room reveals a medallion Of John
\ King sr over tho mantel The other rooms
contain many steel engravings. The library is a
severe apartment. with its recessed shelving IN
changed since the days of Rufus King. The
capaclous cellars below show the rafters he"n
by hand even in the portion built IN lNo' The
original flooring was also made by hand IN one
of the upper bedrooms stands colonial pea
stead more than half again as large as our mod
ern beds.
Mr. Browor hopes TO receive contributions OF
Colonial furniture 50 that the interior may be
restored
Three generations Of the King family have
nc, upied what IL now a municipal park The
frs, was Rufus King Of Revolutionary memo
ri,s who bought the place and enlarged the
house - its present proportions. 1t has been
IN, scat ~ unhoundcd hospitality, and within
it's walls many famous men have been enter
tanned.