The Story Behind the 235-Year-Old Farmhouse Amidst Manhattan’s Skyscrapers

The Dyckman Family Household in the 19th Century

In 1820, the Dyckman Farmhouse was home to a close-knit family of ten, per Meredith Horsford and historical records. Jacobus, his wife, three children, a niece, and a grandson shared the main house, often visited by their many adult children.

Jacobus, the patriarch of a large family with 11 children, faced significant pressure for his farm’s success. To support his family, he leveraged his property by renting out additional buildings on his land to locals.