Friends of Steinway Mansion forms to find a buyer for the home, hopes it will become a museum

DNAinfo reports that a group of local neighbors have formed the Friends of the Steinway Mansion, who plan to work together to find a buyer for the landmarked house (18-33 41st St – GMAP), with hopes that it will become a museum or a cultural center. The 27-room Italianate style house was the home of the Steinway family back in the 19th century until about 1925, and it was declared a New York City landmark in 1967. It’s been for sale for years, priced at dropped to $2.995 million last year. As we can personally attest, too, it’s amazing inside and out.

People have voiced support for the mansion being turned into a museum, cultural center, or music conservatory, but no one has put together an organized group to find a future for the property until now. Members of the Friends of the Steinway Mansion include Assemblywomen Margaret Markey, Astoria Assemblywoman Aravella Simotas, the Long Island City-based Artisans Guild of America, and Steinway and Sons, whose factory is not far from the mansion. The Greater Astoria Historical Society also has involvement in the group.

Bob Singleton, head of the head of the Greater Astoria Historical Society, says “The Steinway Mansion is indeed a place of significance, and should be saved for the benefit of future generations.” The GAHS put together a fascinating video that shows photos of the Steinway family from the 1880s in various parts of the property, fading into photos of the same locations as they are today.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ox-Oy4OLc34]

“Steinway” is probably one of the most recognizable names to come out of Astoria – there’s the Steinway Piano factory (and yes, you can tour the factory – it’s excellent), then there’s the Steinway Branch of the Queens Library, and of course Steinway Street, home to many excellent restaurants.

New Coalition Looks to Turn Astoria’s Steinway Mansion into Museum [DNAinfo]
Asking price lowered for historic Steinway Mansion in Astoria [NYDN]
Steinway Village: How pianos shaped the history of Astoria
How to tour the Steinway & Sons factory in Astoria