America’s historic homes are way more than just plain old structures. Their innovative architecture, carefully designed spaces, and exceptional art pieces all paint a unique picture of American history. Behind each design are stories of the pioneering families, industrial moguls, and visionaries who left their mark on the landscape. From sprawling mansions and gardens in Italian Renaissance style to more humble brick homes, we’ve compiled a list of 34 unforgettable historic residences across America that are sure to take you on a captivating journey through time.
#1 The Harriet Tubman Home
From 1859 to 1913, Harriet Tubman lived in a house in New York City that she’d purchased from Frances Adeline Seward. In 1880, the original wood-framed home burned down and was replaced by a new brick home. Over a decade after Tubman’s passing, the house became vacant and was eventually demolished after another 16 years. In 1953, it was rebuilt in hopes of becoming a historic site, national park, and public attraction. By 2017, the Harriet Tubman home was labeled part of the National Historic Park.
12points
#2 Villa Vizcaya
Businessman James Deering built Villa Vizcaya for $15 million in Miami, Florida, between 1914 and 1922. Inspired by Italian Renaissance and Venetian architecture, Deering enlisted the help of 1,000 workers to bring his home to life. He only got to enjoy living in it during winters from 1916 to 1925 before his untimely passing. Today, the villa and its sprawling gardens are owned by Miami-Dade County, and they're open to the public as the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens.
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10points
#3 Ca' D'zan Mansion
This Mediterranean Revival residence in Florida was built in the 1920s for American circus magnate John Ringling and his family. Owen Burns designed the 56-room home with inspiration from multiple architectural styles, like Venetian Gothic and Italian Renaissance. In 1946, Ca' D'zan opened to the public as part of the State Art Museum of Florida, and by 1982, it was listed as a contributing property to the Caples'-Ringlings' Estates Historic District.
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10points
#4 Fallingwater
This house museum in Pennsylvania, with a collection of over 1,000 objects, was designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright for Edgar J. Kaufmann Sr. The modern-style building was inspired by Japanese architecture and constructed over an actual waterfall. In 2019, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee declared Fallingwater a world heritage site, and now, it welcomes visitors from across the globe.
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10points
#5 Biltmore House
George Vanderbilt built Biltmore House alongside architect Richard Morris Hunt and landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted in Asheville between 1889 and 1895. With an 8,000-acre estate and 250 rooms, it's considered the largest privately owned home in America. Today, the estate is still owned by the Biltmore family and now has a winery, hotel, restaurants, and even shops.
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9points
#6 The Breakers Mansion
This Gilded Age mansion was built in Rhode Island for Cornelius Vanderbilt II between 1893 and 1895. It was designed by architect Richard Morris Hunt in the Renaissance Revival style and featured 70 rooms across five floors. In 1994, the Breakers mansion was designated a National Historic Landmark and is now operated by the Newport Preservation Society as a museum open to the public.
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9points
#7 The Hearst Castle
This hilltop estate was built in California for publishing mogul William Randolph Hearst between 1919 and 1947. With the help of architect Julia Morgan, the home was designed in Italian Renaissance style and featured immaculate gardens and grounds. It underwent continual changes till Hearst’s passing in 1947. Now, Hearst Castle is a National Historic Landmark that's open to the public as a museum with exceptional art pieces, antiquities, and the renowned Neptune Pool.
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9points
#8 The Mount Vernon Estate Mansion
Built in Virginia by Augustine Washington in 1734, Mount Vernon Estate became George Washington's residence for the rest of his life. The 21-room Palladian-style house was expanded by Washington first in the 1750s, then again in the 1770s. In 1858, the estate was taken over by the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, and by 1960, it was designated a National Historic Landmark. Today, Mount Vernon is open to the public for several daily tours.
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9points
#9 Monticello Mansion
Monticello was the residence and plantation of the third president of the United States, Thomas Jefferson. Built in Virginia from 1768, the home was designed by architect Andrea Palladio using Italian Renaissance and neoclassical design principles. Jefferson continued to work on Monticello till his passing in 1826. Today, it’s a designated National Historic Landmark due to its architectural and historic significance.
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9points
#10 The Oheka Castle
Located in New York, Oheka Castle is regarded as the second-largest private residence in America. Otto Hermann Kahn, investor and philanthropist, built the family home between 1914 and 1919. Oheka underwent extensive renovations over the years and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004. Now, the 127-room mansion operates as a lavish wedding venue and hotel.
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9points
#11 The Mount
This country house in Massachusetts was the home of the famous American author Edith Wharton from 1902 to 1911. She designed it herself, taking inspiration from the 17th-century Belton House in England while incorporating influences from classical Italian and French architecture. The Mount was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1971 and is open to the public as a cultural center and museum today.
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9points
#12 The Bayou Bend Mansion
Bayou Bend was built in Texas for philanthropist Ima Hogg between 1927 and 1928. The mansion was designed by architect John F. Staub using 18th-century Georgian and Spanish Creole design principles. In 1979, the home was listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Today, it's owned by the Museum of Fine Arts and operated as a house museum with a collection of American art and paintings.
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9points
#13 The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion
The Lockwood–Mathews Mansion in Connecticut was built for banking mogul LeGrand Lockwood from 1864 to 1868. Designed by architect Detlef Lienau, the opulent 62-room mansion is considered one of the finest surviving Second Empire-style country houses in America. In 1978, it was declared a National Historic Landmark, and in 2008, the master plan for its restoration was completed.
9points
#14 The Molly Brown House
Located in Colorado, the Molly Brown House was home to philanthropist Margaret Brown from 1894. Brown survived the sinking of the Titanic and dedicated most of her life to helping the other survivors. In 1972, the house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and became a public museum with around 10,000 of Brown’s artifacts and pieces.
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9points
#15 The Mark Twain House
Built in Connecticut, this Victorian home was made for author Mark Twain, who lived in it until 1891. Architect Edward Tuckerman Potter designed the 25-room house in the American Gothic style. Twain and his family eventually sold the house in 1903, and by 1962, it was declared a National Historic Landmark. Over four decades later in 2003, it became a museum showcasing Twain’s life’s work.
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9points
#16 The Elms Mansion
Located in Rhode Island, this large mansion was built for coal tycoon Edward Julius Berwind from 1899 to 1901. Architect Horace Trumbauer took inspiration from the 18th-century Chateau d'Asnieres to design the landscape and gardens. Over three decades after it was purchased and opened to the public by the Preservation Society of Newport County in 1962, The Elms was designated a National Historic Landmark.
9points
#17 The Pabst Mansion
This 1892 mansion was built in Milwaukee for Captain Frederick Pabst, founder of the Pabst Brewing Company. The Pabst mansion was designed in the Flemish Renaissance Revival style by architect George Bowman Ferry and took two whole years to perfect. Before it was purchased by the Archdiocese of Milwaukee in 1908, Pabst and his family called the mansion home. By 1998, it was sold to Wisconsin Heritage Inc., which opened it to the public for daily tours.
8points
#18 The Nemours Mansion
Nemours Mansion was built in Delaware by Alfred I. du Pont between 1909 and 1910. He enlisted the help of the architectural firm Carrère and Hastings to bring the home to life. The architects paid homage to classic French architecture across the 105 rooms, featuring a rich collection of art pieces and antiques. In addition to the mansion, sprawling gardens with fountains and monuments make up the landscape of the mansion. Now owned by the Nemours Foundation, the estate was closed for extensive renovations in 2005 but eventually reopened in 2008.
8points
#19 Bishop's Palace
In 1892, this Victorian-style mansion in Texas was designed and built by architect Nicholas Clayton for Walter Gresham. Then, in 1923, the residence was purchased by the Galveston Archdiocese and remained its headquarters for over 40 years. In 2013, the house was purchased by the Galveston Historical Foundation. As of today, Bishop’s Palace is open for public tours.
8points
#20 The Castle Hill Mansion
Built in Massachusetts in 1928 for Richard T. Crane, Jr., the 59-room Stuart-style mansion was designed by world-famous architect David Adler. In 1949, the mansion was given to the Trustees of Reservations, who offer tours of it to this day. The rest of the estate is used for various outdoor events, and the once-private beaches are now open to the public.
8points