2. The Law Office of Gansevoort and Allan Melville (16 Pine Street)
The Melvilles were originally a well-established Boston family who went bankrupt after Herman’s father, Allan, tried to revive his failing fortunes from the mercantile business with a fur trade operation. The family was left penniless when Allan died after their bankruptcy, but thankfully, the brothers were able to restore their reputation as successful lawyers. Their office was on 16 Pine Street in the current Financial District. It was here that Gansevoort refined the legal chops that helped him negotiate the deal of Herman Melville’s first success, Typee.