10.30.2010

A Historic Day!

Today I joined St. Ann's Historical Society!

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This organization is devoted to preserving the history of
St. Ann's Episcopal Church
in Sayville, New York.
I'm thrilled to be a part of this great work. There is much rich history that needs to be documented for posterity.

One exciting aspects of this organization is it's recent triumph.
The Historical Society was able to achieve listing of this church on the
National Register of Historic Places!

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This magnificent church was designed by architect Isaac H. Green and was completed in 1888. It is Gothic-Norman style architecture. Isaac H. Green was an important architect of the south shore of Long Island, NY. He was born in 1859 and was raised in Sayville, New York. I hope to feature some of his beautiful houses, churches and businesses in our area in the near future.


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I photographed the exterior of St. Ann's during my visit for your viewing. When I photograph the interior I will eagerly share them with you.

There are magnificent Tiffany windows behind the altar which must be seen! It is my understanding that these have been authenticated as true Tiffany windows.

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Among the numerous interesting aspects of this church, there exists a plaque on the interior to memorialize a congregant who was lost at sea on the Titanic. The church sits on land which was donated by the Roosevelt family. The Roosevelt home Meadowcroft is located next to the church and is open for tours.

Meadowcroft, Sayville, NY

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In 1891 Isaac H. Green was hired as architect to design their Colonial Revival style mansion. Isaac's childhood home in West Sayville is extant while his own home is not. His childhood home is of significance as it was visited by President George Washington during his tour of Long Island, well before Isaac's birth.

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To celebrate the acceptance onto the National Register, St. Ann's congregation is planning a wonderful event in 2011 which among other activities, will include docent led tours of the church. I'll share the date once scheduled and I hope to see you there!

In addition to the church itself there is the rectory, cemetery, labyrinth and 2 large buildings that were once used as boy's and girl's orphanages. Currently, the buildings are used for religious education, a thrift store and for church and community meetings.

Original Rectory
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One of the Orphanage Buildings
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That concludes my day as the newest member of Saint Ann's Historical Society.


10.17.2010

Stanford White

I suppose I am just a researcher at heart and likely missed my calling to become a historian. Once a notion makes it's way into my cranium, it can only be satisfied with delving deep into the topic. Last week I had the Gardiner family (my appetite hasn't nearly been satiated) and this week it's Stanford White!

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For years I have been wanting to find out more about this fascinating man. Because I am insanely addicted to real estate, architecture and history, I have observed numerous Standford White houses come on the market here in Long Island, NY. Viewing his masterpieces through listing photographs, I have become enamored of his talent. His buildings are exquisite!

Washington Arch at Washington Square, Greenwich Village, NY
A place near and dear to my heart!
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His work, life and death are beyond intriguing to me. So it is here that I begin my journey.

Who was Stanford White?

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For those of you unfamiliar with Stanford White, he lived from 1853-1906. He was an architect with the firm McKim, Mead and White. They built many types of buildings but were certainly well known for the exquisite homes they built for the wealthy families of the northeast.

Stanford White was murdered by Harry Thaw. Harry was the husband of Evelyn Nesbit. Evelyn was a show girl who at the age of 16 began an affair with Mr. White, a married man. Harry shot and killed Stanford White inside Madison Square Garden in New York City, a building White designed.


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Following this incident, a salacious trial ensued. Evelyn testified about her relationship with Stanford White and Harry Thaw. One story she told was of Mr. White's penchant for show girls and how he would have them to one of his NYC homes where he had a red velvet swing installed for their use. Stanford's murder was considered "The Crime of the Century" and the trial garnered quite a lot of interest.


Below are some of the materials I have obtained.
There are plenty more books, movies and websites I intend to review.


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As I have been doing research on the internet I have come to find out that Stanford White is buried in VERY close proximity to where I live! He is buried on the grounds of St. James Church in St. James, NY. I have also learned of his family home Box Hill which is also located in St. James, NY. This home is still within the White family. Yet another interesting fact is that White's wife, Bessie Smith White hails from the Smith family. The Smiths were early settlers of Long Island for which Smithtown, NY is named.

So there you have it, my newest obsession... Stanford White.



10.11.2010

Wedding Dress

On September 3rd my blog featured some Vintage Couture I had recently acquired. If by chance you read it, you may recall the dress I referred to as the "showstopper."

If you didn't, that would be my purple satin wiggle dress that I won on Ebay.

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After fairly extensive alterations I had the chance to wear it to my cousin's wedding. I truly loved it! Wearing it made me feel terrific. The fit may not have been as perfect as I would have liked but, it made me really happy. After struggling with my indecision, I decided to share the final product with you.

For the LOVE of vintage couture,
I face my AVERSION for being photographed
and
reluctantly submit the following:

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Whew, I did it!
I went outside my comfort zone!
Oprah would be so proud!

10.09.2010

Gardiner's East Hampton Home for Sale

While researching Gardiners Island and the Gardiner Family, I came across this listing for Mr. Robert David Lyon Gardiner's house in East Hampton. It has once again come back on the market. It had been sold after Gardiner's death in 2004 to Shahab Karmely for $9 million. After a $10 million renovation it is back on the market.

The home includes 10 bedrooms, 8.5 bathrooms, central air and 4 fireplaces. It is situated on 5.5 acres in the town of East Hampton, NY.
Asking price is $29 million!

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Copy from the listing:
This great stone house on 5.5 park-like acres sits on a tree lined village dtreet set back behind a high hedge. Originally designed by the Architectural firm Wyeth and King and built in the late 1930's for one of East Hamptons most prominent residents Robert Lion Gardiner. This wonderful residence and surrounding property have been meticulously refitted and restored during a five year renovation. Now available again for the first time.

To view the listing and to see interior photographs click here: Corcoran.

I did not feel like the interiors reflected the history of the Gardiners. I can't envision the Gardiner's living in the house as it is currently decorated. The photographs are still lovely and interesting to view so, go and check them out.

Here is an example of a before and after from the interior:
BEFORE
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AFTER
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AFTER
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Below are some photographs I found on the internet of Mr. & Mrs. Gardiner entertaining at their East Hampton home.

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Further listing information can be found at Newsday.com

To see old photographs of this home visit an AWESOME blog that I love called:
Old Long Island

Gardiners Island

Over the years I have had a growing interest in the history of the Gardiner family of Long Island, New York. I grew up in close proximity to a fabulous estate called Sagtikos Manor. During my childhood, it was the home of Robert David Lion Gardiner. I often gazed out the back window of my parents car at this breathtakingly beautiful old mansion. I wondered even then about it's contents and history. It wasn't until I was in my late 20's that I finally had the opportunity to tour this fascinating estate. There exists a rich history within the grounds of Sagtikos Manor that has captivated me. One can tour the estate located in West Bay Shore, NY.

Click the links above to learn more.

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Clicking on the pictures below will take you to a wonderful blog entry about Sagtikos Manor.

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Over the years, I recall local news articles about Robert Gardiner who owned one of the local malls. He was an intriguing and eccentric man from all accounts. He titled himself as the "16th Lord of the Manor". This title did not apply to his ownership of Sagtikos Manor but rather to the private family island, Gardiners Island, located off of Long Island, NY. It's original name had been Isle of Wight. A great struggle within the Gardiner family existed during Mr. Gardiner's lifetime and his legal rights to this island were repeatedly challenged.

Click on the picture below to learn more about this painting of Mr. Gardiner.

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In 1961 at the age of 50, Robert Gardiner married for the first time. He married Eunice Bailey Oakes, a widow and model from England. Neither of them had children. Lacking a legitimate heir meant Robert was unable to transfer his interest in Gardiners Island after his passing. At one point he attempted to adopt a distant adult relative. His attempt was unsuccessful and an heir was never produced.

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Mrs. Eunice Gardiner was nearly 20 years younger than Robert Gardiner. I have found information on Eunice's life prior to marrying Mr. Gardiner as she was the widow of William Pitt Oakes who hailed from a prominent Canadian family. Mr. Oakes died tragically at the age of 28. I have been unable to document Mrs. Gardiner's life after Mr. Gardiner's death in 2004. If anyone has further information on her I would be greatly interested. I am captivated by the whole story.

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After my visit to Montauk, Long Island this summer, my interest in the Gardiner family was peaked yet again. I decided to do a little more research on the Island and came across the book; Early Memories of Gardiner's Island (the Isle of Wight, New York) by Sarah Diodati Gardiner. It tells much of the fascinating history of this privately owned island which includes Captain Kidd's buried treasure, First Lady Julia Gardiner Tyler and a heroic rescue of a kidnapped Montauk Indian Princess.

Sarah Diodati Gardiner
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As it turned out, in 1937 Sarah Diodati Gardiner rescued the Island from Winthrop Gardiner who inherited the island legitimately. Winthrop had become unable to pay the expenses and Sarah Gardiner paid the debts becoming rightful owner of the Island. She allowed her nephew Robert David Lion Gardiner and his sister Alexandra Gardiner Creel to use the island during their lifetime, however, the ownership would pass to their heirs upon their deaths. Robert Gardiner never had any children and he was unable to transfer his ownership to any other person. Mrs. Creel's daughter Alexandra Creel Goelets in the end is the sole owner of Gardiner's Island. It appears from all the research I have done, Mrs. Goelets is committed to preserving the island as it is and keeping it within the family.
A fact which pleases this writer to no end! Hooray!

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Lion Gardiner
was the 1st Lord of the Manor. He arrived from England in 1635 with his wife Mary. Gardiners Island is the only American real estate still in tact as part of an original royal land grant from the English crown. The island has been in the Gardiner family for approximately 400 years. It is 6 miles long, 3 miles wide and has 27 miles of coastline.

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Article Wasps' Nest
New York Magazine June 5, 1989

Article Gardiners Island - It's Haunted Legacy
Life Magazine April 26, 1968

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