Preservationists are still “desperately” trying to save the 320 year old Gedney Farm House at 734 E. Boston Post Road in Mamaroneck from imminent demolition by its owner, the Rye Neck School District.
Carol Akin, with Concerned Citizens for the Gedney Farm House, says advocates need to immediately come up with either $2,500 a month for maintenance costs, or a buyer for the property to thwart the District’s plan to raze it.
The house, built in the 1790s and one of the oldest in the area, dates back to George Washington’s first term as president.
“Our deepest desire is that someone will come forward,” Akin says. “We are looking for any glimmer of hope.”
The District has to put the building out to bid; it cannot give it away to a taker willing to move it off the property. Someone is interested in buying and relocating the house, but has yet to free up all the funding necessary, Akin says.
The house is not on the National Register of Historic Places or otherwise protected.
photos: june marie sobrito
Save this Historic Landmark!
In a conversation with the District Superintendent about a week and a half ago, he told me that he’s not sure whether the District will officially be taking bids for the house, but he suggested that interested parties send him a proposal as soon as possible for dismantling and relocating it, which might cost upward of $200K, including asbestos removal. I haven’t gotten any response from the local historical societies or state official I wrote to, or been able to find contact information for the Concerned Citizens group, and I’m wondering whether we could cast a much wider net in looking for a person/group who could do something more inspired than tear down this piece of history. (Incidentally, part of the character of Mamaroneck is how many of the older structures have their own plaque out front: eg, “Walter’s Hot Dog Stand, 1919.”) If the building has to be put out to bid, what is the official process for that, and when/how is it happening? Also, more time is needed, since this has only recently become a more public issue. Can we start a petition? Get a demolition delay? Some of us are also wondering whether the state mandate for amount of playground space could be waived or met in any other way, if selling the property would leave the school with less-than-minimum required space. The issue seems to be largely about gaining more space for sports fields, as outlined in the following document:
http://www.ryeneck.k12.ny.us/Assets/734_East_Boston_Post_Rd_Documents/NYS_Correspondence_August_17_2011(2).pdf