Seven Long Island properties have landed on a list of endangered historic places.
The sites, which stretch from a lighthouse off Kings Point to an old power plant in Riverhead, are featured on Preservation Long Island’s newly released 2023 Endangered Historic Places List. The list is created by the nonprofit every two years as part of its program designed to identify, highlight, and address the imminent threats faced by significant historical sites and structures across Long Island.
Preservation Long Island’s Endangered Historic Places Program (EHPP) aims to raise public awareness about the endangered status of the area’s historical places and the group advocates for support from the local community and beyond to establish the importance of preserving the sites for future generations, according to a statement from the nonprofit. The program is funded in part by a grant from the New York State Council on the Arts.
“The program offers Long Islanders an opportunity to advocate for preservation in their communities while learning how to use tools like landmark designation, tax incentives, and public outreach,” Alexandra Wolfe, Preservation Long Island’s executive director, said in the statement. “Our program partners receive priority technical assistance from our professional staff and their listings are featured on our website and social media.”
The sites on the list are selected by a panel of Preservation Long Island staff and trustees, as well as experts in architecture, historic preservation, and other related fields, according to the group. Selection of the properties is based on three key criteria, including overall historic significance, severity of the threat and impact the EHPP listing will have on efforts to protect the nominated site.
The 2023 list includes:
Eliphalet Whitman House in Caleb Smith State Park on Jericho Turnpike in Smithtown, which was built around 1736. Listed on the National Register as a contributing structure to the Wyandanch Club Historic District, PLI warns that the house doesn’t appear to be maintained and is showing significant signs of neglect and deterioration.
Perkins Electric Generating Plant (Riverhead Electric Co) on West Main Street in Riverhead. Constructed in 1897, it was one of the earliest electric plants on Long Island. PLI says the building is vacant and deteriorating.
Steppingstone Lighthouse in Long Island Sound off Kings Point. Completed in 1877, it is owned by the Town of North Hempstead and PLI says the site is threatened by deterioration and neglect.
King’s Park Psychiatric Center, part of Nissequogue River State Park in Kings Park. The former mental health facility established in 1884, has buildings dating from 1890, and PLI says the complex is significant for its architecture and as a cultural historic landscape. The State Parks master plan for the park finalized in August 2023 proposes demolition of Kings Park Boulevard.
Coindre Hall Boathouse, located directly behind Coindre Hall (c.1912) in Huntington, the boat house is a miniature replica of the mansion. No longer safe for use, the structure has been fenced in for safety purposes, and is in bad condition, according to PLI. Although some stabilization work has been completed, there is debate regarding whether the building should be restored, or the waterfront should be turned into a nature reserve.
Shutt House in the Town of Islip is one of the original homes in Modern Times (1851-1864), Long Island’s utopian community, which evolved into today’s Brentwood. PLI says the structure is threatened by proposed demolition and development by the current owner.
Mill Pond House in Oyster Bay was built before 1720 and is one of the area’s oldest surviving dwellings. PLI says the building has been vacant since 2008 and continues to deteriorate.
Preservation Long Island’s Endangered Historic Places Program is made possible in part by a grant from the New York State Council on the Arts.
In-person events are planned for next spring that include site tours, and panel discussions open to the public. For more information about each of the selected sites and upcoming events visit: PreservationLongIsland.org
David Winzelberg
Source link
