20. The Dyckman Farmhouse Museum

Dyckman Farmhouse
Dyckman Farmhouse Museum is the only farmhouse in Manhattan.

The Dyckman Farmhouse is the only and oldest home in New York City and sits atop a hill at 4881 Broadway on 204th Street. This Dutch colonial gem belonged to the Dyckman family, which arrived from Westphalia in the 1600s. During the Revolutionary War, the Dyckman Farmhouse had been in part destroyed. Jacobus Dyckman, son of William who inherited the land, later took over the farmhouse and continued working on it over decades, also transitioning the home from enslaved to free. The early 20th century showed a rapid change in New York, leading to the destruction of many farmhouses. In 1915, daughters of Isaac Michael Dyckman (the last child to grow up in the farmhouse), Mary Alice Dyckman Dean and Fannie Fredericka Dyckman Welch, repurchased the home.

In 1916 the family refurnished the home and opened it to New York as a museum, retaining much of the furniture. Also shown at the farmhouse were exhibits on the family’s history of enslaved people working in their home and art installations drawing focus on what the servants’ life entailed. Access to their beautiful garden is free, and visitors can see what life was like inside this humble abode for as little as $3 adult admission. Hours of operation are Thursday from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.