HIstoric Series: The Bedell Family Home

15 Wednesday Aug 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Historic Places

Tags

antique, beddell, bellmore, historic, history, house, long island, new york, southard

As I was doing some research on historic places in Bellmore, NY I came to one that is still standing today. The Bedell Family Farm House located on South St. Mark’s Avenue is a nice step back in time. It is the oldest house in Bellmore and has been here since 1689. That’s a good 323 years ago! Just try to imagine how this area was back then. Life was much simpler back in those days. It makes me wish that today was more like yesterday.

The Bedells were among some of the first settlers of the area. Robert Bedell came to New York from England with his wife Blanche in the 1600s. They were married in 1643 and gave birth to their son John in 1648. Years later after Blanche had passed, he married Sarah Southard. They both lived in this home and had a family of four sons and three daughters. Sarah passed away at age fifty four on Feb. 26, 1716 and John died two months later the same year at the age of 68.

Born in 1662, Sarah was the oldest daughter of Thomas Southard and Annica Jansen. She had four brothers and sisters. The Southards were a big family in the area and they were a big part of the economic changes in Bellmore. The Southard genes go way back when they held the name Southworth in England.

A 1906 map it shows that David Bedell was the owner of the land. By this time the railroad was built and the area still consisted of farms, housing, and a few hotels and stores. A 1914 map it has John J. Bedell’s name listed for that land. Later in 1927, there was much change to Bellmore and the surrounding areas. There were more highways and occupied land as well as commercial property.

The Bedell family members are said to have lived in the historic house until 1950, making additions to the building in 1778 and 1872. However, it still contains the original fireplace as well as the barn, which was rebuilt in 1810, and the carriage house, which was constructed 10 years later. When I made my visit to the historic site I must say that the building needs some love. I admired the federal style architecture and its unique characteristics. This type of design focused on balance and symmetry and was inspired by ancient Greece and Rome.

I am sure if you live in Bellmore you have passed the Bedell House many times and may have even known families that have lived there. Just think of the history behind the building, the land it stands on and the memories that it holds. So many families have shared moments and days with this area of Bellmore and its important to never forget that. Holding on to the past may never push you forward, but remembering our history and keeping it alive will allow big leaps into the future with a new view.

Historic Series: The Potter Williams House

12 Sunday Aug 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Historic Places

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

19th century, clapboard house, design, four bay plan, historic, history, huntington, huntington new york, long island, nathaniel potter, new york, potter williams, settlement architecture, wall street

Located at 165 Wall Street, the Potter-Williams house shows true history. The home was built in 1827 by Nathaniel Potter and is one of the few buildings in Huntington that incorporate the four-bay plan. The home is an excellent example of settlement architecture of the early 19th century.

The clapboard house sits on the side of a steep hill quite close to the street. It has a central chimney, three-pane frieze windows and a gable roof. The home also has a number of six over six double hung windows and an elevated porch which was replaced for a more decorative structure in 1870 with a lattice base, posts and a balustrade.

Both entrances as well as the windows have a simple wood trim and a rear one story addition was constructed midcentury. The property has one contributing building to the right of the home. The clapboard springhouse is brick-lined with a gable roof. It was built midcentury as well.

Nathaniel Potter was a successful silversmith and had a shop on Mill Lane since 1787. In 1824 he partnered with George Wood Platt to manufacture thimbles in New York City but still lived in Huntington. During the 1830s he became a judge and state assemblyman. After his death in 1841, the house was given to his mother’s family, the Williams’, and remained their estate until the 20th century. You can find the house across from the Huntington Fire Departmentsurrounded by wooded areas.

The cream-colored home lives on, spreading memories of the families who lived there and telling the story of Mr. Potter himself. A creative, skillful man who played his part in the evolution of Huntington.

Historic Series: Seaford Historical Museum

06 Monday Aug 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Historic Places

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

community, historic, history, jackson ave, long island, museum, new york, schoolhouse, seaford, seaford fire department, seaford historical society, seaford new york, waverly ave

Located on Waverly Avenue, the Seaford Historical Museum is the community’s treasured time capsule. It is the home of Seaford memorabilia from its early days as a farming community and a true celebration of the antiquity of the area.

Back in 1893, Seaford had about 500 residents. At this time there were already two schoolhouses for the children in the union free district. The need for more space pushed the community to vote for a budget of $3500 to build a new school, which was originally constructed at the corner of Jackson and Waverly Avenue.

In 1917, due to the increase of students, the school board decided the district needed a bigger schoolhouse. The present one was moved a block away and renamed the Seaford Fire Department headquarters in 1921 and the new Jackson Avenue school opened. On July 4, 1976 it was chosen to be the Seaford Historical Museum in honor of the nations bicentennial.

Today the schoolhouse serves the community as a center of knowledge where one can learn about the history of Seaford. It is is a great place to attain information about the town and the schoolhouse itself. The Seaford Historical Society continues to take donations for the restoration of the building as well as encouraging residents to become members.

Support Seaford history and help the museum last for years to come. Not only is it a reflection of the future but a treasure chest of historical gifts. The building is a beautiful example of 19th century design and continues to carry the memories of lessons learned and future dreams.

Historic Series: Huntington Sewing and Trade School

26 Thursday Jul 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Historic Places

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

arts and crafts style, brick, colonial design, historic, huntington, huntington sewing and trade school, main street, medieval, new york, school, trade school

The Huntington Sewing and Trade School has been around since the early 1900s and is the home of the Huntington Historical Society. It was purchased by the Historical Society in 1982 and is used for administrative services as well as the society’s resource center. This building has been a part of Huntington for decades and played a positive role in its growth and success.

In addition, Huntington Sewing and Trade School was the first vocational school in the United States. The school taught many woman the important skills needed to keep a house and daily life moving forward as well as many trades to the men and young boys. Its classes included English, cooking and the arts as well as religion.

Many photographs of children in class at the trade school can be found in the Huntington Historical Society’s archives. Looking at those photos allows anyone to step back in time and see how different life was compared to today. It truly puts things into perspective.

The school building was designed by Cady, Berg and See in 1905, the same designers that created the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Building across the street. Their resume holds works of art such as the Metropolitan Opera House and The American Museum of Natural History. However, their specialty was school buildings. They showcased the Tudor Revival style in the trade school, which was very popular at the time.

I love the architecture of this building. The next time you are walking by on Main Street be sure to take a good look at all of its unique characteristics. Its decorative accents are a combination of medieval and colonial design. The whole purpose of this style was so the building looked different and not as commercial as the rest. Think of the Arts and Crafts movement and this style fits it like a glove.

The arched doorway is typical for Tudor design and you can see Medieval accents in the hinged brackets and door knob palette. The brick and stone exterior plays on natural elements of the earth and the details in the wood is elegant and clean. Nothing is too loud, yet the building exerts power and strength. I love that. The second floor windows are beautiful and I feel they add that crafty touch.

Around the 1900s, Main Street along with New York Avenue was the center of town just as it is today. With all of its businesses and the great location, Huntington was an ideal place to live. The Huntington Sewing and Trade School was in the middle of it all, helping people learn and grow so that the community could gain success. It’s surely a place that will never be forgotten.