69 Orange has been meticulously preserved by the current owners and contains all original features, such as handrails, woodworking, hardware, molding, and historical milk paint. The large backyard has a surprising amount of green space and a bluestone patio perfect for entertaining. This generously sized home has four sizable bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, a library, a salon, a formal dining room, and two spaces that work great for a home office or nursery. The house is fully equipped with Central AC, and washer and dryer, plus a mechanical basement lined with large blocks of stone, along with six fireplaces, two of which are fully functional. Originally, this property was owned by Sarah Gracie, daughter of Martha Middagh-Van Nostrand, who named the Brooklyn Heights "Fruit Streets". The Gracie and Middagh families were well-known in the early years of the New York City luxury real estate market, as evidenced by the Gracie mansion on the Upper East Side, which is now home to the New York City Mayor. 69 Orange Street is situated directly next to the iconic Plymouth Church, which has a long history with the abolitionist movement in the United States. The first preacher at Plymouth church, Henry Ward Beecher, was a prominent and well-known abolitionist who dedicated himself to the cause of freedom. Even Beecher's sister, Harriet Beecher Stowe, was committed, as she was the author of the American Classic and anti-slavery book, Uncle Tom's Cabin. Henry Ward Beecher's fame attracted thousands to visit the church, including Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Abraham Lincoln, and Mark Twain, who walked past 69 Orange Street on their way to the church. Plymouth church was a well-known hub of the Underground Railroad, and legend has it that enslaved people making the journey were taken in and given sanctuary at 69 Orange Street, as one of the house's owners, Henry L. Pratt was the deacon of Plymouth Church during the Beecher years. Brooklyn Heights is the perfect balance of exciting, fast-paced city life and comfortable suburban relaxation. 69 Orange Street is close to Cadman Plaza and Whitman Park, as well as many great restaurants and shops, and the Brooklyn Bridge and Clark Street subway station.
