Hart Mansion, Albion

134 South Main Street, Albion, Orleans County, New York

Built 1873, it is best associated with the Hart family of Albion who settled there in 1812 and became prominent through banking from 1860 onwards. Elizur Kirke Hart (1841-1893) acquired what was then, "an impressive Greek-Revival" house from the original owner soon after it was built. Hart then added the tower and mansard roof to give it its Second-Empire appearance, then the fashion back in the 1870s....

This house is best associated with...

Elizur Kirke Hart

E. Kirke Hart, Congressman, of Albion, Orleans County, New York

1841-1893

Charles Elizur Hart

Charles E. Hart Sr., President of the Orleans County National Bank, Albion, N.Y.

1865-1924

Kirke (as he was known to distinguish him from his father, Elizur) is also remembered for building the Hart House on the island he named "Hart Island" in the Thousand Islands which is today synonymous with the spectacular Boldt Castle. After he died, the house was home to his elder son among his six children, Charles, who in turn left it to two nieces. Little else is known of the house. In 1942, “everything (was put up) for sale, including doors, lumber, windows, sinks, and fixtures of all kinds”. It was demolished shortly afterwards and today the Hoag Library occupies the site on which it stood.