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Historic Home to be Razed

The Gedney Farm House on Boston Post Road is one of the oldest buildings in Mamaroneck. The Rye Neck school district, which owns it, intends to demolish it. Used with permission: Ned P. Rauch/The Journal News

The Journal News has an interesting story about one of the oldest houses in the area, slated for demolition.

A year after George Washington became the country’s first president, John Gedney built a house at what is now at Boston Post Road and North Barry Avenue in Mamaroneck.

Since 1790, the home has stood there, evolving over the centuries from farmhouse to schoolhouse to office building, acquiring porches and losing original features along the way.

But a long past is no guarantee of a long future.

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Polly Kreisman
November 24, 2011 10:07 AM

theLoop is thankful for all of you.

Oreo
Oreo
November 24, 2011 9:45 AM

Whatever the ultimate fate of “the building”, Leslie points outs very well our disconnect between “schools” and “education”.

Our community deserves, and should be able to accomplish, much better. Let’s set as a goal for the “communities” of Westchester, NY, being #1 in things other than taxes.

As we celebrate Thanksgiving Day, let’s commit to becoming a real model for the values upon which our Nation was founded.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Leslie Brill
November 23, 2011 6:32 PM

A “rock solid” building that’s stood there since 1790, and had been rented out to businesses as recently as June (see the Journal News article)–does George Washington have to have slept there, or must it be a prime architectural masterpiece, to be of any “value”? Its existence is its value. The superintendent seems to be in a hurry to tear it down; is that what we want to teach the school kids? Any of the other options mentioned in that article (including selling, mentioned in a comment) would be preferable–hope it can be worked out!

Oreo
Oreo
November 23, 2011 11:41 AM

If the building really does have some “historic” value or importance, make it widely known. Caroline Kennedy has an interest in education and a family history steeped in historic preservation. A magazine with national circulation, maybe it’s “This Old House” magazine, regularly features historic homes facing destruction but available for preservation to someone interested. Perhaps extra “air rights” could be offered for use elsewhere in the community to someone who would preserve this property and put it to good use and help offset the cost of the preservation.

Absent some “value” of some sort though, the building may have reached its time and the site should be re-purposed. Throwing good money after bad is not something we can afford, especially now. The process of publicizing and deciding should not be too long but it should be appropriately sufficient. Some regret what was done to Pennsylvania Station in New York City and appreciate what the City’s Grand Central Station has become.

A lesson learned.

• C O M M U N I T Y • C A L E N D A R •

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