Poughkeepsie

Harvey G. Eastman, Mayor of Poughkeepsie from 1871 to 1875, arrived in Poughkeepsie 1859. Eastman first built a carriage house on Montgomery Street that was later enlarged to become his family’s mansion. This grand house was an outstanding example of the popular style originally promoted in 17th-century France by architect François Mansart. Though its proportions were immense, the decorative elements and graceful lines of the Mansard roof, enhanced with a touch of refinement, made it a focal point in the neighborhood.

After Harvey Eastman’s untimely death in 1878 his family continued to reside in Eastman Mansion. Mrs. Eastman remarried in 1885 and remained there with her husband Professor C. Gaines, who became president of Eastman College, until her death in 1907.

Harvey Eastman founded Eastman Business College and built Eastman Terrace in current Eastman Park as well as pioneering the Poughkeepsie Railroad Bridge. His imposing mansion once graced the northern end of Eastman Park on Montgomery Street.

Miss Emma Osborne operated a school in the mansion for years. In 1917 the Poughkeepsie Department of Public Works moved from City Hall to the mansion. Offices were relocated there and equipment was stored in the mansion. The city used the once finely appointed rooms as board rooms for meetings. The mansion never regained its original grace and was altered.

In December, 1955 a fire broke out in the vicinity of the garage and the mansion was seriously damaged. Discussions ensued about moving the department elsewhere as the mansion was condemned.

By 1966 Eastman Park was cast as the favored site for the future YMCA. The agency purchased 2.7 acres of land on the northern end of Eastman Park. Included in the purchase was the former mansion which the city would continue to use under agreement with the YMCA until the new building is completed”.

The Eastman family mansion was demolished to make way for the new YMCA building.