Hervey Ely House, 138 Troup Street

Daughters of the American Revolution

The sole remaining testament to the grandeur that was Livingston park, this house is an example of fine Greek Revival architecture.

Built in 1837 from designs attributed to Hugh Hastings, the house features an impressive portico with Doric columns.
Hervey Ely, a flour miller, built the house and resided there until 1841, when the collapse of the grain market forced him to sell.
Many prominent Rochesterians have subsequently resided there, including William Kidd, the owner of a steel foundary and president of the Rochester Savings Bank.
In 1920, the Irondequoit chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution acquired the house for its headquarters.
The Hervey Ely house is a designated city landmark and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

The rich architectural detail of the interior was carefully resored in 1955-1956 under the supervision of Elizabeth Holahan.
Notable details include paneled pilasters with carved capitals and molded bases that flank many of the doors and windows.
In the double parlors, a deeply recessed ceiling has molded panels with egg-and-dart designs.
The house is furnished with a number of 19th century pieces that have been donated by members and friends of the D.A.R.
Prized possessions include an imposing sideboard that once stood in the headquarters of Washington, a massice 1870s ebonized and gilt breakfront in the north parlor, and an Empore-style highboy from the Lafayette Inn in Geneva, NY.