Name/Title
Home of Hamlet S. Roe (1940)Entry/Object ID
001938Tags
Hamlet S Roe, William Bull, Daniel CrommelinScope and Content
The image you've shared appears to be a historic photograph related to Hamlet S. Roe (often transcribed as "Hanlet" due to cursive styles), a significant amateur photographer and local historian from Orange County, New York.
The house in the photo is the Bull-Crommelin House (also known as the Greycourt Mansion), located in Chester, New York.
Historical Context
The Photographer: Hamlet S. Roe was known for documenting historic landmarks in the Hudson Valley during the early 20th century.
The Subject: This house has a unique history; the stone portion (visible on the right and in the foundation) was built around 1718 by William Bull for Daniel Crommelin. It is considered one of the oldest standing structures in the region.
The 1938 Connection: Many of Roe's photographs were taken around 1938 and subsequently published in the book Old Orange Houses by Mildred Parker Seese (1941). The distinctive stone wall in the foreground is a recurring feature in photos from this period—in some versions of this photo, Roe's grandson, Mark Roe, can be seen sitting on that very wall.
Architecture Highlights
Mixed Materials: You can see the juxtaposition of the original 18th-century stone work with the 19th-century wooden clapboard additions.
Stone Wall: The "dry stone" wall in the foreground is characteristic of the masonry style used by early settlers like William Bull.
If you are researching family history or local New York lore, this photo is a classic piece of Orange County's architectural record.
