Emlen Physick Estate

The Emlen Physick Estate in Cape May, New Jersey, is an 18-room Victorian mansion attributed to American architect Andrew Jackson Downing and built in 1879. The Estate was designed for Dr. Emlen Physick, descendant of a well-known Philadelphia family, and his widowed mother, Mrs. Ralston, and maiden Aunt Emilie.

This mansion is one of the finest examples of “Stick Style” architecture in America. The exterior of the Estate is distinguished by Furness’ trademark oversized features, including gigantic upside-down corbelled chimneys, hooded “jerkin-head” dormers, and the huge stick-like brackets on the porch. Many original furnishings are on display throughout the house.

The Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC) was formed in 1970 to save the Physick Estate from the wrecking ball. The Center operates the estate as a Victorian historic house museum.

Sources

* [http://www.capemaymac.org/attractions/physick/index.html Emlen Physick Estate official site]

Correction: The Architect for this building was Frank Heyling Furness