Gazing upon the Hayt-Wientge Mansion, you might think it’s just another beautiful old house. But this vintage home is a continual reminder of a building form once popular in Santa Fe. Let’s step back in time to uncover the story within these walls.
The Hayt-Wientge Mansion stands as one of the best surviving examples of Victorian architectural style in New Mexico. It is a rare gem because many others of this era were torn down or burnt down. Built in 1882, the Hayt-Wientge Mansion has historic relevance and architectural significance. You can see this in its red shingles and mansard roof.
The land beneath the Hayt-Wientge Mansion has a long history. In 1864, Nepomoceno Apodaca and his wife sold some agricultural land to Jesus Mana Lobato for $19. By 1877, an adobe house stood southeast of where we’re standing.
Walter V. Hayt, a bookseller from New York, arrived in Santa Fe around 1879. In 1882, Hayt partnered with Joy and operated a store on San Francisco Street. He sold books, stationery, toys, and notions. Hayt even advertised the most complete set of published stereoscopic views of New Mexico.
An interesting tidbit emerges from an 1881 article. The Daily New Mexican reported that Hayt and Joy’s new store was to have a press brick front. Hayt claimed the brick came from Philadelphia. The article humorously suggested the bricks might have come in a paint pot. It seems Hayt later acquired genuine brick for his residence. The brick used in the Hayt-Wientge Mansion’s construction was likely made south of the house. Here, an acequia crossed the property.
The Hayt-Wientge Mansion showcases hand-moulded brick and a mansard roof. The Hesch House is the only other structure in Santa Fe that has a mansard roof.
In 1888, Walter and Alice Hayt sold the house to Christina F. Wientge for $3,000. They then apparently left the territory. Christina Wientge was born in Kansas and traveled to New Mexico as a young girl. She married Frederick W. Wientge, a jeweler, in 1887.
Frederick W. Wientge was known for his filigree work. The Santa Fe Women’s Board of Trade commissioned him to create a table for the 1893 Chicago Exhibition. This table featured silver filigree inlaid with turquoise and other native stones. It bore the Great Seal of the Territory of New Mexico. Valued at $3,000, it was later stolen from the Santa Fe Public Library in 1925.
With the advent of the Spanish American War, Wientge served as First Lieutenant of Troop I of the First United States Volunteer Cavalry. He commanded a Gatling gun squad. Wientge died of typhoid fever shortly after returning from military service. He was buried with full military honors at the National Cemetery.
In 1899, Christina Wientge added a brick room onto the house. To support her four daughters, she rented the second floor and tutored students in German. In the 1920s, the front porch was extended. Family members say the new portion came from the DeVargas Hotel on Water Street. Stone terracing was also added in front of the house.
The Hayt-Wientge Mansion has seen many changes throughout its history. Today, it stands as a testament to Santa Fe’s rich architectural and cultural heritage. As you pass by, remember the stories of the Hayt and Wientge families. They shaped this beautiful Victorian house.