House designer victim of crime of passion?
By ANN MANCARI (Reporter Mid-Hudson Times. Wednesday February 23, 2000)

"Your honor, I was once the lady friend of Stanford White (Chorus: He's the famous architect.) Yes, that's right. He put me on a velvet swing, And made me wear hardly anything." -"Ragtime" (The musical, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens)

A breath of scandal surrounds the house at 355 Grand Street.  According to its present owner, Newburgh  webmaster Fred Embden, it may have been designed by Stanford White, whose infamous murder was the first "Crime of the Century" in 1900's.  Embden speculates that White may even have lived here.
If you go out on the Newburgh's website, www.newburgh-ny.com/HistoricNB   (e-tour) you will find a bit of history on the house, and on White, who is characterized as a "lecher, and libertine."

		He was also a world-famous architect with the firm McKim, Meade and White.  A disciple of Richardson, his early designs were Italian, with "tawny Roman brick and terra cotta ornaments," according to "The Encyclopedia of New York City." White fell victim to renal disease, and a lavish lifestyle.  He sought cures for his ailments at many healing places around the country.  By the mid-19th century he abandoned his more severe architectural design for a "free classical style." Although his architectural style later returned to the traditional, he continued to lean toward showy women In 1901 White met a 15 year old "actress" (read: chorus girl) named Evelyn Nesbitt, who was appearing in the musical "Floradora." At the time White was married to Bessie Springs Smith, of the Long Island family who gave their name to Smithtown.

The romance which followed, and the murder which resulted, were memorialized in E.L. Doctorow's "Ragtime" as well as the Broadway musical and movie by the same name.   Nesbitt was known as "The Girl on the Velvet Swing." Nesbitt's affair with White apparently ended before she married Harry Thaw, heir to a $40 million fortune, in 1905. Among White's renowned designs is the original Madison Square Garden.  Ironically, it was in its roof top theater which he created where he met his end.

In 1906, Evelyn and Harry and a couple of friends were attending a performance of "Mam'selle Champagne" when Evelyn noticed White had entered the room, and was seated at his usual table.  She became nervous and asked to leave.  The party had almost reached the elevator when her husband saw White.  Thaw pulled out a gun, and without a word, pumped three shots into the architect, killing him instantly.

As they were taking Thaw away from the murder scene, the stage was set for his defense.   He was heard to say, "I did it because he ruined my wife."   The romance which followed, and the murder which resulted, were memorialized in E.L. Doctorow's "Ragtime" as well as the Broadway musical and movie by the same name.   Nesbitt was known as "The Girl on the Velvet Swing." Nesbitt's affair with White apparently ended before she married Harry Thaw, heir to a $40 million fortune, in 1905. Among White's renowned designs is the original Madison Square Garden.  Ironically, it was in its roof top theater which he created where he met his end.

Uruburu, according to the broadcast transcript, draws a parallel between this "Trial of the Century," and the O. J. Simpson case.  In both cases, the ensuing court proceedings captured the front pages for nearly two years.  Simpson's clothing was closely scrutinized, Uruburu points out, as was Evelyn's.  However, hers became a fashion rage.  Women scrambled to wear hats and dresses like the chorus girl's and her face appeared everywhere from postcards to beer mugs.  "She was the first supermodel," said Uruburu.
Thaw's trial ended in a hung jury and he went back to jail.  His family was persuaded to present another defense, less popular at the time than it is now.  He was found innocent by reason of insanity.
This was also the first case where there was "prominent use of alienists," he "precursor to psychiatrists," according to the broadcast transcript.
As of this writing, it cannot be substantiated that the house on Grand Street was ever involved in this crime of passion.  There is no record of Stanford White or Evelyn Nesbitt in Newburgh at the time of the affair.  The closest connection I could find was that John Smith, who was on the Board of Education from 1902 to 1906, lived at 355 Grand in 1903.  It would be a stretch to tie him to the Long Island Smiths, but who knows what further research mat reveal.
Fred and Rita Embden restored the house to its graceful, flamboyant beauty over 10 years.   According to Newburgh's website, the house has details which are the signature of Stanford White, including an octagonal design, pedimented portico, columns, dental molding, and palladian windows.  Visitors often tell them that the house reflects White's work.  If they can confirm that he designed it, (let alone conducted his infamous affair here) Embden said that the historical value of the house will grow substantially.
Another chapter may be added to the fascinating story of love and murder between a famous architect and the Girl on the Velvet Swing

"And its the crime of the century, the crime of the century
Where did the world go? Whee!
Harry's in the asylum, Stanny's in heaven, and
Evelyn gets publicity.
(Chorus: crime of the century, crime of the century)
Not such an awful thing.
Stanny's killed but my mother is thrilled
'Cause now I'm the girl on the...
Now I'm the girl on the swing."
-"Ragtime" (the musical, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens)

Notes:
Black and white photo of Stanford White by Brown Brothers, from People Magazine.
Black and white photo of Evelyn Nesbit by Rudolf Eickemeyer / Smithsonian Institution, from People Magazine.
Color Evelyn Nesbit photo found at http://www.monmouth.com/%7Emconner/pcard.html.