More than nine years after it was first purchased for preservation purposes, the former Davis home -- the first meeting place of Brookhaven Town government -- remains fenced off; still unready for visitors. Plastic tarps partially cover the home to shield missing doors, window panes, and its inside, which has been gutted as part of previous restorative efforts.
Middle Island Civic Association president Tom Talbot attributed one of the reasons preservation of the home and other properties like it have fallen behind to "lack of public priority."
"I think [government officials] take the short view," he said. "They try to make an assessment, acquire the property, then worry about saving it later. I think the fact that there's effort is something here, but it's a dilemma."
Deputy Parks Commissioner Carol Bissonette, a former member of the town's historic district advisory committee who has been charged with overlooking the preservation at the Davis home, said though the roof and foundation have been replaced, there is still more work to come.
During a Friday afternoon walk-through of the home, which is on both the state and national historic registers, Ms. Bissonette said, as part of phase one, the home must first be squared, or straightened on its foundation, and the existing chimneys and brick hearths must also be secured and stabilized; then restored. She expects phase one to be put out to bid shortly and to be completed within the next six to nine months, she said.
Other phases of the Davis project include an exterior renovation, new plumbing and electricity, and the installation of a climate control system to protect a collection of period pieces which will be donated to the town.
From there, Ms. Bissonette explained, the next phase will include specialized craftsmen to ensure restoration and/or reproduction of moldings, doors, coping, flooring, plaster walls and lighting.
To date, Ms. Bissonette explained, there is $972,600 in funding available through the budget. However, she estimated the project might take between $3 million to $6 million in funding before completion.
Council Woman Jane Bonner said the town could return any lost funds by turning the home into a conference center similar to the Vanderbilt Planetarium, which allows weddings on its grounds.
The Davis home, however, is not the only historic asset causing a dilemma for government officials.
Across the street rests Longwood Library's first home on the Coram Fire District's property to the west of Coram-Mount Sinai Road. Coram Fire Commissioner Van Johnson said district officials are looking into getting some contractors to take a look at the school house, which needs some roof work and repairs to an overhang above the entrance. Mr. Johnson pointed out that the school house also once served as an office for district officials.
"It goes back to the early 1900s," Mr. Johnson said.
Further up Middle Country Road at the intersection of Homestead Drive rests the boarded up Mott house, which is also owned by Brookhaven. Though it has been "neglected for years," Ms. Bissonette explained, the home could be utilized as a revenue driver -- as an office rental, possible tourism center, or even moved to the Longwood Estate in Middle Island -- once it is restored. As it stands now, she said, the worst case scenario would be if it were "stripped down to the frame" and then rebuilt.
The Nathaniel Woodhull house, which is built into a knoll on North Country Road in Shoreham, is being used by the Smithtown Hunt Club for a kennel. It was once used by the LIPA to house employees. The house needs a new roof, foundation, and floor, Ms. Bissonette said. With that, Ms. Bissonette explained, the town will have to make a choice either to undertake a costly move for the main building and its extensions or "sacrifice them."
"It will be another huge and extensive renovation," she said.
While Middle Island might serve as the home of one of the best preserved historic properties, the Longwood Estate, in contrast it also serves as the location of the former home of William Brewster Dayton at Prosser Pines. Boarded since 1980, the county-owned home is surrounded by an assortment of weeds and overgrown trees -- one growing through the center of the saltbox cottage's collapsed roof.
Suffolk Legislator Kate Browning attributed the home's disrepair to the fact there has been no one historical preservation group serving as the home's steward, a key factor in moving things along, she said. Also, Ms. Browning explained, the home suffers a deficit because it is not listed on any historic register, a factor which prevents it from receiving certain state and federal preservation grants.
In the meantime, Ms. Browning has filed a request with the Sheriff's Office to have the property cleaned up by inmates as part of the Sheriff's Labor Assistance Program, or SLAP, she said. But after that, Ms. Browning said, it remains to be seen what will become of the home because Parks Department officials have informed her that major rehabilitation of the home cannot be completed because it will be too costly.
"It really is a shame," she added.
Suzanne Johnson, a member of the Longwood Society for Historic Preservation, said the home is not the only shame that has befallen the hamlet -- in terms of lack of historic preservation foresight. Over the years, between five and six homes with historic significance have been lost to arson, Ms. Johnson said. But the hamlet has seen some success in preservation, Ms. Johnson added. The old schoolhouse, which sits on town-owned property in Bartlett Pond Park, has received a new roof.
Coram Civic Association president Erma Gluck said that while members of the community understand restorative efforts take some time and even more money, they believe the Davis project, in particular, has dragged on too long and should be brought to a resolution soon.
Ms. Johnson said she was optimistic of the project at first, but now "dodges questions" by residents on where the project stands.
"It's frightening how exposed it is because that is not the condition the town received it in," she said.
Councilwoman Bonner said the project has languished because of both lack of interest and money.
"It's a sin that [the home], be allowed to deteriorate to the extent that it has," she said. "The historic value of this home is priceless."
peggy@northshoresun.com