The French Second Empire home, built by Charles Hart for his daughter Harriet Hart Wiltsie in 1837. The mansard roof was added in 1876. This style roof was considered very modern and provided more headroom for the third floor. The four-story-high tower offered a lofty view of center city Rochester. The first floor of the home contained a large hall, parlor, library, and dining room. The second floor also had a grand gathering hall as well as the bedroom chambers.
Mary E Hart remained in the single-family home until her death in the1930’s. In 1938, a descendant, Mary E. Wiltsie Field, gave the Red Cross house where its ownership remained for the next ten years.
At that time, the 8,905 square foot home was divided into eight apartments: four one-bedroom efficiency units and four two-bedroom units, one of which you will tour today.
The resident is drawn to Corn Hill because of the history of older homes and hopes to buy in Corn Hill. He puts effort into keeping the house looking fresh and attractive and volunteers his green thumb to several community gardens. In this apartment, you will note the large stained-glass window above the grand fireplace as well as ornamental plaster on the twelve-foot ceiling.
