8. The Home of Young Mr. and Mrs. Melville (103 Fourth Ave.)

Grace Church. Photo via Library of Congress

Mr. and Mrs. Melville’s first home as a married couple, on 4th Avenue behind Grace Church, was purchased in part with money from Herman’s father-in-law and was also occupied by his newly married brother. In many letters written at this time to her step-mother, Mrs. Melville confirms many of Herman’s personal habits and daily routines, saying that “before dinner he goes down for a walk, looks at the papers,” and that he was also fond of taking them to visit the art galleries in the area.