The Conference House on Staten Island is a historical house of major significance:
A captain in the Royal Navy, Billopp built this House around 1680 as the center of his 1,600-acre Manor of Bentley.
Like his great-grandfather, Colonel Christopher Billopp—who inherited the property in 1750—served in the British armed forces and was a member of the provincial government. During the Revolutionary War, Billopp remained loyal to King George III and in 1776 his house was requisitioned for the enormous British army billeted on Staten Island.
Like his great-grandfather, Colonel Christopher Billopp—who inherited the property in 1750—served in the British armed forces and was a member of the provincial government. During the Revolutionary War, Billopp remained loyal to King George III and in 1776 his house was requisitioned for the enormous British army billeted on Staten Island.
On September 11, 1776, John Adams, Edward Rutledge, and Benjamin Franklin, representing the Continental Congress, and Admiral Lord Richard Howe, representing the King’s government, met at the Billopp House. The group discussed options for a peaceful cessation of hostilities but no agreement was reached, and the fighting continued for another seven years.
The House opened as a museum in 1927. Today, it has been restored to its mid-18th-century appearance. Education programs and special events at the house focus on the Billopp family and the Revolutionary War conference that made the House famous.
A revolutionary war conference before we achieved Independence! We were in the same room that Benjamin Franklin was in, as well as John Adams! Who knew this was down the block from my in-laws!
This house is part of a large park area on the tip of Staten Island. Most people go to SI for the shopping, did you have any idea the cultural offerings here? In the park is also the “South Pole,” a site marking the southern most point in all of New York State! We had a great time exploring the area and plan to go back as we had no idea this was such an extensive site. And of course our son got a souvenir, he now plays the “Fife” to represent the Revolutionary War period!
I would love to travel to the east to see sites like this one day.