Pod the Road Again: Conference House

Welcome to "Pod the Road Again." I'm your host, P.T.R.A., and today we're exploring the rich history of the Conference House on Staten Island, New York. This historic manor house is not just a relic of the past; it's a significant piece of American history that played a pivotal role in the Revolutionary War. Built by English immigrant Captain Christopher Billopp around 1680, the Conference House was originally a wheat farm. However, it gained its fame as the site of a 1776 peace conference where representatives from the Continental Congress, including John Adams, Edward Rutledge, and Benjamin Franklin, met with Lord Richard Howe and Henry Strachey to negotiate an end to the Revolutionary War. The conference was held on September 11, 1776, but unfortunately, no reconciliation was reached. The British refused to consider independence, and the colonists were determined to fight for their freedom. This failed peace conference marked a turning point in American history, solidifying the determination of the colonists to pursue independence. The Conference House has a fascinating history beyond its role in the Revolutionary War. It was later owned by Captain Christopher Billopp's grandson, Colonel Christopher Billopp, who was a leader of the Tory element on Staten Island. After the Revolution, the house and land were confiscated by the state of New York. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, there were several attempts to preserve the house, but it wasn't until 1926 that it was acquired by the City of New York and the Conference House Association. The association worked tirelessly to restore the house to its original appearance, and it was dedicated as a museum in 1937. Today, the Conference House is a National Historic Landmark and a member of the Historic House Trust of New York City. It continues to be a place where visitors can learn about the rich history of America and the people who shaped it.