Conference House

Conference House is a historic Dutch Colonial residence on Staten Island, notable as the site of a 1776 diplomatic meeting between representatives of the Continental Congress and envoys of King George III aimed at negotiating a cessation of hostilities during the American Revolutionary War. The house, associated with the Bergen family and later the Billop family, stands near the confluence of the Arthur Kill and Raritan Bay and has been preserved as a museum and park property. It is interpreted for its colonial architecture, maritime setting, and Revolutionary-era significance.

History

The property originated in the 17th and 18th centuries amid Dutch and English colonial settlement of New Netherland and Province of New York. Early landholders included settlers of Bergen, New Netherland who established farms and ferries connecting Staten Island to New Jersey across the Arthur Kill. The house commonly attributed to the Billop family was constructed in stages during the late 17th century and early 18th century by members of the Billop and allied families tied to Staten Island's planter class. During the mid-18th century the residence functioned as a manorial dwelling linked to small-scale agriculture, maritime commerce on Raritan Bay, and local civic affairs under the authority of the British Crown. By 1776 the site was chosen for a parley between General William Howe's representatives and colonial leaders from Continental Congress-aligned jurisdictions following the Battle of Long Island campaign. Subsequent decades saw ownership changes amid the transformations of the early United States, involving families connected to trade with Philadelphia and New York City.

Architecture and grounds

The building exhibits a blend of Dutch Colonial architecture and later Georgian architecture influences, reflected in its gambrel roof, brickwork, and interior woodwork. Structural elements include heavy timber framing typical of 17th-century Dutch construction, wide planed floorboards, and a central chimney plan associated with colonial hearth-centered design. The façade and joinery bear ties to artisanal practices from New Amsterdam and reflect imported building customs from the Netherlands. The surrounding grounds historically contained orchards, outbuildings, and wharfage serving trans-Hudson shipping lanes, with proximity to the Kill Van Kull and routes to Elizabeth, New Jersey and Burlington County, New Jersey. Landscaped vistas toward the bay frame the house's defensive and commercial orientation during the colonial period.

Role in American Revolution

In early September 1776, after the Battle of Long Island and during British occupation of New York City, a delegation representing Lord Howe and General William Howe met with American envoys to offer terms intended to reconcile the rebellion. The meeting involved figures aligned with Royalist and Patriot camps, bringing together representatives from New Jersey and New York communities and delegates linked to the Continental Congress. The parley, conducted against the backdrop of British naval dominance in the harbor region and following the evacuation of some colonial positions, failed to produce a cessation of hostilities or a political settlement recognized by Continental Congress leaders such as John Adams' circle. The conference has been discussed in relation to subsequent operations including the Battle of Brooklyn and the New York and New Jersey campaign. Its failure reinforced revolutionary resolve and influenced diplomatic exchanges involving France and Spain later in the war.

Later uses and ownership

After the Revolution the property passed through several hands, including members of the Billop lineage and families engaged in mercantile and civic life tied to New York City and Philadelphia. In the 19th century the house served variously as a private residence and as part of local agricultural estates during the era of expanding steamboat connections between Staten Island and metropolitan centers. The 19th and early 20th centuries saw renewed interest from antiquarians and historical societies such as regional chapters connected to the Sons of the Revolution and preservation-minded collectors. During the 20th century municipal and federal interest—sparked by recognition of the house's Revolutionary association—led to formal landmark status under New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission designations and documentation by the Historic American Buildings Survey. Ownership eventually involved coordination among municipal agencies and nonprofit organizations dedicated to heritage stewardship.

Preservation and public access

The site is preserved as a historic house museum and interpretive landscape within city-managed parkland offering public programming, guided tours, and educational events tied to colonial and Revolutionary-era themes. Partnerships with organizations focused on historic preservation have facilitated restoration work on fabric such as period woodwork, roofing, and masonry adhering to standards promoted by the National Park Service and informed by documentation from the Historic American Buildings Survey. The property is accessible to visitors during scheduled hours and is integrated into broader cultural itineraries linking sites such as Fort Wadsworth, Richmond Town, and maritime heritage trails across Staten Island Ferry corridors. Commemorative observances and reenactments often involve community groups, historical societies, and academic institutions researching 18th-century material culture, naval operations, and colonial diplomacy.

Category:Houses on the National Register of Historic Places in Staten Island Category:National Historic Landmarks in New York City