Preservation Long Island’s Endangered Historic Places List for 2021 includes seven sites and one district facing a variety of threats from demolition and overdevelopment, to a lack of municipal funding and support for historic preservation in communities throughout the region.
Important historic places across Long Island are threatened by a variety of adverse conditions, from outright demolition to a lack of appreciation for their historic value, or the inability to develop sustainable long-term plans for preservation and stewardship. Preservation Long Island established the Endangered Historic Places Program (EHPP) with the goal of raising region-wide support for historic places facing precarious circumstances.
A panel of Preservation Long Island staff and trustees, as well as experts in architecture, historic preservation, and other related fields selected the properties based on three key criteria: overall historic significance, severity of the threat and impact the EHPP listing will have on efforts to protect the nominated site.
Sites on Long Island’s List of Endangered Historic Places for 2021 include:
James Brooks & Charlotte Park Home & Studios, Springs, East Hampton Town Community Preservation Fund. Purchased by East Hampton Town in 2014, this landmarked home and studios of Abstract Expressionist artists in Springs is threatened by vandalism, disrepair, and demolition.
John Mackay III’s “Happy House”, Village of East Hills, Nassau County. One of the few remaining Gilded Age country houses in East Hills Village is threatened by demolition and subdivision.
Peter Crippen Home Site, Town of Huntington, Suffolk County. A rapidly deteriorating property owned by Huntington Town with strong ties to Long Island’s early colonial development and African American history.
Pyrrhus Concer Home Site, Village of Southampton, Town of Southampton Community Preservation Fund. Purchased by Southampton Town in 2015, restoration of this nationally significant site of African American history in Southampton Village is threatened by inter-municipal delays and other issues.
Rogers/Remz Grain & Feed Building, Port Jefferson Station, Town of Brookhaven, Suffolk County. This early industrial farming structure at the heart of Port Jefferson Station is threatened by demolition and urban renewal.
Sag Harbor Hills, Azurest, Ninevah, Subdivisions (SANS) Historic District, Village of Sag Harbor, Suffolk County. Demolition and intensive redevelopment threaten one of Long Island’s most significant Jim Crow- and Civil Rights-era historic districts in the Village of Sag Harbor.
Saint James Firehouse, Town of Smithtown, Suffolk County. A historic firehouse in active service since 1925 threatened by a lack of resources and municipal support for much-needed repairs.
William Tooker House, Village of Port Jefferson, Suffolk County. A rare pre-1750 structure in Port Jefferson Station with strong ties to Long Island’s colonial past threatened by neglect, demolition, and urban renewal.
Each of the eight sites will be showcased in a series of free virtual programs that will include interviews and panel discussions open to the public in June and July. Visit the 2021 Endangered Historic Places page on Preservation Long Island’s website to learn more about each of the selected sites, and to register for the free virtual events.
Leave a Reply