The Nelson Lord Button Mansion:
A 155 year old Victorian Lady with her charisma and history in what would become know as the Stuffed Shirt District of Rochester - built circa 1850 but in it's present form due to Nelson Lord Button, who bought the home about 1865.
In 1856 he married Miss Jeannette Raymond. The couple lived for a time in Mt. Morris and Maiden, Massachusetts before finally setting in Rochester in the early 1860s when he bought the property. Mr. Button was general agent for the American Book Company, of New York for forty years. He retired from active business at the age of 70. Mr. Button owned the home until his death at the age of 81, leaving behind one son Nelson Lord Button, Jr. one granddaughter, Edith Lois Button, and one niece, Midbury Hasson.
Multiple generations of Buttons & their relations lived here until 1973, when Nelson's granddaughter Edith, died at age 85 in the bed and in the room in which she was born. Story tells that Edith willed the home to be torn down after her death, instead the home was sold in her estate. The fire damaged the room in which Edith was born and died.
The house fell on hard times and at some point was converted for use as a multi-family home until subsequent owners began the process of restoration back to a single family home. The loving restoration has continued now for nearly 30 years by the current owner. Eventually the city of Rochester recognized this remarkable home and designated it as a landmark. Over time this home has become known as The Button Mansion.
In all, the house measures over 4.500 square feet. There are four bedrooms (More if you need them.), four full bathrooms and three kitchens.
This all brick mansion built in the mid-19th Century features a mansard roof. Elements similar to the Landmark Society Brewster-Burke House are the unusual Egyptian style porch columns with papyrus leaf decoration and the etched glass panels in the front door.
A graceful main staircase greets you at the front door. The front parlor has a rebuilt fireplace and original doors. The parlor affords a idyllic holiday celebration area; it has been said 50-80 people can be entertained on the premises.
The spacious dining room offers original parquet floors, original hardware on the pocket doors, and a lovely bay window. Next is the side parlor with another marble fireplace, hardwood floor and the modern conveniences of cable hook-up. The main kitchen is absolutely enormous and features a movable island currently placed under a archway and looking out onto the deck and back yard.
Many original features survived throughout the years: The pocket doors between the study and the dining room have brass hardware embossed with five honey bees, the emblem of Napoleon Bonaparte's family, a Francophile touch typical of the period.
Off the kitchen is a private in-law apartment/guest quarters (think AirBnB or au pair or perhaps an itinerant artist) with a private bathroom. This area was the original kitchen and so it features a tin ceilings was well as an original hand pump used to bring water from the cistern. The butler pantry, now the full bathroom, has newer plumping and fixtures.
On the second floor you will find three bedrooms and two full bathrooms including a very impressive master bedroom suite with it's own marble fireplace, a massive dressing room and a luxurious full bathroom!
The finished 3rd floor also has a fully functioning kitchen, a full bathroom and it's own furnace!Here again this home offers the extra space to accommodate almost any need: AirBnB, artists, family, more!
Beneath all this beauty is a solid modern home with the solid economic value of updated mechanicals, central A/C, gas heating and electric. copper plumping, programmable thermostat. Furnace removal would open up a huge portion of the basement area. Built-in security system with automatic police alert.
In summer her enticing appeal turns colorful with perennial beds that hug the large deck, yard and garage. Stays cool in the summer heat! She is big hearted with a welcoming front porch. Another quaint charm is the stroll to the Genesee River promenade at Corn Hill Landing- let the romance begin.
The lovely spirit of this home is looking for suitors with hopes for a serious long-term relationship.
