The House and grounds are beautiful; well-maintained, and well-preserved.
Paintings & Sculpture
Paintings & Sculpture
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Governor William Henry Seward Portrait by Henry Inmanc. 1843 Oil portrait on canvas of Governor William Henry Seward by Henry Inman. This was a study for a full-length portrait of Governor Seward commissioned by the New York City Common Council. A young man with hair parted on left is wearing a dark jacket, white shirt and white cravat. ... |
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Anna Wharton Seward Portrait by Emanuel Leutzec. 1867 Oil on canvas portrait of Anna Wharton Seward, wife of Frederick Seward and daughter-in-law of Secretary Seward. Mounted in an ornate gilt frame. A 3/4 length figure in white, brocaded satin dress holding the Japanese delegation fan. Gifted to Ana from William Henry Seward to... |
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Frances Adeline Miller Seward Portrait by Henry Inmanc. 1843 Oil on canvas portrait of Frances Adeline Miller Seward, wife of Secretary William H. Seward. Painted by Henry Inman. Signed and dated, August 1843. Frances is depicted here as a young woman with brown eyes and brown hair pulled back and styled to frame her face, wearing a dark... |
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Frederick William Seward Portrait by Charles Petersonc. 1895 Oil portrait on canvas of Frederick W. Seward (1830-1919), second son of Secretary of State William Henry Seward. Painted by Auburn artist Charles Peterson in 1895, based on a photograph. Mounted in a gilt frame. |
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PaintingOil painting on canvas of the Seward Gully by Edgar George, Auburn artist, 20th century Mounted in gilt frame, signed. |
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PaintingAmerican school oil painting on canvas of pink and dark red roses in a glass bowl. Artist – Minnie Rankin Wyman, c. late 19th century. Mounted in rectangular gilt frame. |
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Portrait of Janet SewardOil portrait on canvas of Janet Watson Seward, wife of Wm. H. Seward II. Artist - George Clough, c. 1867. Mounted under oval gilt mat in rectangular gilt frame. Young woman with brown eyes and dark hair styled and pulled back has long dangling earrings. She is wearing a dark garment with... |
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Portrait Of William Seward IIOil portrait on canvas of William H. Seward II. Artist - George Clough, c. 1867. Mounted behind oval gilt mat in rectangular gilt frame. Man with dark brown hair, a long moustache that extends to mutton chop side burns is wearing white shirt, black cravat, dark jacket. Background is a solid... |
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Wedding Portrait of Janet SewardOil wedding portrait on canvas of Janet Watson Seward wife of Wm. H. Seward II. Artist - E. H. Gohl, c. late 19th century. Mounted behind oval gilt mat in rectangular gilt frame. Janet's wedding portrait. Young woman with brown eyes and dark hair pulled back and white flowers cascading down... |
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JUDGE ELIJAH MILLERc.1815 Portrait of Judge Elijah Miller. |
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DANTE’S INFERNOc. 1869 Oil painting "Dante and Virgil with Holfernes in the Infernal Regions." |
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PaintingAmerican School oil painting on canvas of Kane's Walk. Artist - unknown, c. 1840. Painting shows "Jenny," the family's pet deer in foreground. |
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BUSTc. 1840 Plaster bust of Gov. William. H. Seward by Chauncey Bradley Ives. |
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CASTINGc.1865 Plaster cast of Frances Seward attributed to John Rogers. |
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FIGURINEc. 1859 Bronze figure of a wild boar set on light colored, rectangular mable piece. |
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PEDESTALLate nineteenth century, Verde antico marble pedestal, carved with fishes. |
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SCULPTURE, G. WASHINGTONc. 1840 Marble, oval plaque of George Washington in square natural wood frame by Carew, an Albany artist. |
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RELIGIOUS PAINTINGMid nineteenth century, Italian school religious painting on gilded, wooden panel. "Tabernacle" frame. |
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RELIGIOUS PAINTINGMid nineteenth century, Italian school religious painting on gilded, wooden panel. "Tabernacle" frame. |
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MEXICO PAINTING
c. 1869.
Oil painting on canvas. Cathedral in Mexico City (one of pair - 1951. 1.162). Unknown artist. Presented to Sec. William. H. Seward by the Academy of Design in Mexico City. |
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BUSTc. 1859 Bronze bust of classical young man, with green patina. Acquired by Sec. William Henry Seward during his visit to Italy in 1859. |
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BAS RELIEFc. 1877
Oval white marble portrait bas-relief of Sec. William Henry Seward. |
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STATUEc. Late nineteenth Century
Italian carved marble figure of Alpine lovers. |
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STATUEc. 1888 Italian carved marble figure of a boy reading a newspaper with a jug in back of him. Name of paper is "La Nazione." |
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STATUEc. 1888 White carved marble figure of a woman with inscription "Dopo il Lavoro." |
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THOMAS JEFFERSONc. 1830-1840 Oil painting on canvas of Thomas Jefferson by Charles King. |
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BARNYARD SCENE BY MELCHIOR D' HONDECOETER17th Century Oil painting on canvas - "Barnyard Scene." A dark toned painting consisting of rabbits, chickens, a variety of domestic fowl, and several varieties of birds of prey attacking fowl. |
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FANNY SEWARD PORTRAIT BY EMANUEL LEUTZEc. 1867 Oil on canvas 3/4 portrait of Frances "Fanny" Adeline Seward (1844-1866), daughter of Sec. Seward. Young girl with dark hair pulled back, with some loose curls falling on back; she is facing left. She is wearing a gown with a sheer white lace upper bodice and lavender lower... |
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Pair of bronze cupidsLate 19th century These two cupids are on display in the Library standing of either side of the fireplace mantle. |
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Centaur bookendsLate 19th century A pair of bronze centaur bookends. One bronze centaur has his head thrown back and his arms behind his back as he stands on a rectangular marble base. The other bookend shows a clean shaven bronze centaur carrying a club and a skin of a fox over one arm while the other... |
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Landseer Horses19th Century A white carved marble pair of horses standing on a single attached marble oval base. Horse statue is from Florence, Italy. It was obtained by William Seward II in 1888. |
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Seward Coat of ArmsDate Unknown Seward Coat of Arms, in watercolor with family motto "Esse quam videri." Esse quam videri is a Latin phrase meaning "To be, rather than to seem." |
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Mary Jennings Seward Portrait by William Morganc. Mid 19th Century Oil portrait on canvas of Mary Jennings Seward (1769-1844). Mother of Secretary Wm. H . Seward. Painted by Artist William Morgan after original by Frederick Spencer. |
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Dr. Samuel Swazey Seward Portrait by William Morganc. Mid 19th Century Oil portrait on canvas of Dr. Samuel Swazey Seward (1768-1849), father of Secretary Seward. Painted by Artist William Morgan, based on originals by Frederick Spencer. |
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Cornelia Seward Canfield Portrait by John Peter Frankensteinc. 1830-1835 Oil portrait on canvas of Cornelia Seward Canfield (1805-1839) sister to Sec. William Henry Seward. Painted by German Artist John Peter Frankenstein, John Peter Frankenstein (1816-1881) was a mostly self-taught portrait painter. He quickly became a famous portrait painter... |
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Anna Wharton Seward Portrait by Frank Buchserc. 1869 Oil on canvas portrait of Anna Wharton Seward, wife of Frederick Seward, and daughter-in-law of Sec. Seward. Painted by Swiss artist Frank Buchser, Ana served as the official hostess of Seward's Washington, D.C. residences. Anna was responsible for planning and organizing all of... |
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Janet MacNeill Watson Seward PortraitDate Unknown Portrait of Janet MacNeill Watson Seward, Wife of William H. Seward II. Artist unknown. Currently on display in the drawing room. |
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William H. Seward II Portrait by Charles Petersonc. 1897 Oil on canvas bust-length portrait of William. H. Seward II in uniform. Painted by local artist Charles Peterson in 1897. Shows General Seward as young officer, Union army, Civil War. |
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Augustus Henry Seward Portrait by Charles Petersonc. 1896 Oil portrait on canvas of Augustus Henry Seward, eldest son of Sec. Wm. H. Seward (1826-1876), dressed in military uniform. Painted by American Artist Charles Peterson. |
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Bronze Dog FigurineLate 19th Cenutry Currently on display in the library. A bronze dog figurine of a setter breed, on a ovoid base lined on the bottom with green felt. "COALBROOKDALE" marking on base. Used as a doorstop. |
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Bas Relief of Christc. 1859 Bas Relief: Head of Christ, copy of Ecce Homo by Guido, thought to have been brought back from Rome by William Henry Seward in 1859 for his wife. Found in attic and replaced in library wall in 1953. Ecce Homo means “Behold the man”, and were the words from Pontius Pilot used to... |
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Don Quixote and Sancho Bronze FigurinesLate 19th Century Two bronze figures attached at the foot. Each figure has a walnut used for the chest, allowing movement in figures. Don Quixote is a Spanish novel by Miguel de Cervantes. It was originally published in two parts in 1605 and 1615. A founding work of Western... |
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Abraham Lincoln Portrait by Matthew Bradyc. 1860 Carte de visite of Lincoln. Carte de visite was a type of small photograph. Each photograph was the size of a calling card, and such photographs were commonly traded amongst friends and visitors in the 1860s.Signed by Lincoln. Image taken by Brady. Brady is known for being one of... |
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Fanny & Mr. Seward by Matthew Bradyc. 1864 Photograph of Secretary Seward and daughter Frances by Matthew Brady. Fanny is about 14 years old in this photograph. Seward is pictured seated in most of his portraits due to a height insecurity. |
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William Henry Seward by John Phillipsc. 1856 Oil painting on canvas, painted by Scottish-born painter John Philip, commissioned by George Washington Patterson, Lt. Governor and Congressman of NY and friend of Seward. John Philip (1817-1867) was a Victorian era Scottish painter best known for his portrayals of Spanish life... |
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Athena StatueLate 19th Century Plater copy, currently showcased in the Parlor!
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Venus StatueLate 19th century Italian carved marble figural group of Venus riding a lion with verde antico marble pedestal.
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Wooden Bear Umbrella Standc. 1867 Wooden bear umbrella stand from the Black Forest region of Germany. Glass eyes with wooden link chain around the neck and in paws. Metal tray in base to catch water from umbrellas. To have been obtained by William. H. Seward II while visiting in Europe in 1888. |
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Thurlow Weed Portrait by Alvah BradishEarly 19th Century Weed was a mentor and life- long friend of Seward. He was integral in getting Seward involved in politics and continued as an advisor throughout his long career. Painted by Alvah Bradish (1806-1901). He was born in Fredonia, New York but moved to Detroit where he... |
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Judge Miller Portrait by William J. Weaverc. 1818-1820 Oil painting on wooden panel of Judge Elijah Miller as a young man. Painted by William J Weaver (1759-1817), an artist born in London who came into prominence in North America. He is most famous for his painting of Alexander Hamilton which hangs in the United States State... |
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John Quincy Adams's Portrait by Chester Hardingc.1848 Oil painting on canvas of John Quincy Adams (6th president of the U.S. 1825-1829); Adams visited Seward House in Auburn in 1843. Commissioned by Seward. Painted by American portrait artist Chester Harding. Context from "William H. Seward at Washington 1846-1861" Vol 2 of... |
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Elijah Miller's Portrait by Chester Hardingc. 1840-1843 Oil portrait on canvas of Elijah Miller, father-in-law to Sec. Seward. The first homeowner of the Seward House. Painted by American portrait artist Chester Harding. |
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Three Graces Sculpturec. 1870 Located in the downstairs hall at the bottom of the grand staircase, a bronze patina metal figural newel post sculpture. Holding Bohemian overlay cranberry and clear trumpet vase. Palm tree standard. |
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William Henry Seward's Bustc. 1930 Bronzed over white plaster bust of William. Henry Seward as Secretary of State. Sculpted by Daniel Chester French. French was an American sculptor of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, best known for his design of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. The... |
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Abraham Lincoln's Bustc. 1865 Plaster bust set on pedestal of Abraham Lincoln as President. Bronzing paint over white plaster. Sculpted by Mr. Thomas D. Jones of Cincinnati, OH. According to the family, it was displayed in Seward's Washington home and brought back to Auburn. Seward said that he would place... |
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"Signing of the Alaska Treaty" by Emanuel Leutzec. 1867 A gift to Seward from his friend Peter Cooper. This American painting depicts the scene in Seward’s office on March 30, 1867 as he and Eduard de Stoeckl of Russia negotiate the purchase of the Alaskan Territory. The men present in painting are Sec. William Henry. Seward (seated,... |
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Alaska Flag Painting by Benny Bensonc. 1959 Framed Alaskan flag with hand painted gold decoration and a signature of Benny Benson, Alaskan native and flag designer. Includes an black and white photograph of Benson. Was a gift to the Seward House Museum from Benny Benson when he visited the Museum in 1960. |
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Buddha statue18th Century Burmese carved alabaster figure of seated Buddha. Remnants of coral, red and gold decoration. "Peaceful Buddha." Presented to Secretary William Seward while in China on his world tour. |
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Pressed Flowers from Lincoln’s Casketc. 1865 Oval engraving announcing the death of President Abraham Lincoln. Decorated with pressed flowers from the President's casket. Gifted to Seward after Lincoln’s funeral as Seward was unable to join due to injuries he sustained from his carriage accident and assassination attempt in... |
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Miller-Seward Family SilhouettesC. 1833 A picture of the family that resided in Elijah Miller's home before the property renovations. There are Seven cut-out silhouettes of (left to right) Paulina Miller (mother of Judge Miller), Judge Elijah Miller, Clarinda Miller (sister of Judge Miller), William. H. Seward,... |
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Terracotta Bust of Venus, Goddess of LoveC. 4th Century BCE Etruscan terracotta head of a woman. Seward House records show that the bust was given to Seward by the prominent archaeologist, Luigi Palma di Cesnola (early Director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art who excavated extensively in Cyprus.) The records also state that... |
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"The Old Mill" by George L. Cloughc. 1870 Oil painting "The Old Mill" by Auburn and Cayuga County Artist George L. Clough Water-powered mill with water flowing over the overshot waterwheel. Some clapboards and shingles missing on building. Pigeons perch on roof. A young boy with a fishing pole walks in... |
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The Veiled Lady19th Century This white marble bust of a veiled woman on display in the front hall was owned by Will Jr., William Henry Seward’s son. Purchased by William H. Seward II in 1888 during a trip to Italy. Artist unknown however the Veiled Lady was a very popular design in the 19th century that... |
