From the Queens Tribune:Nestled in a row of factories and warehouses on Flushing Avenue, stands the Vander Ende-Onderdonk House, the oldest Dutch Colonial stone house in New York City. Built in 1709, this NYC landmark serves as a historic sanctuary in an area that has been almost entirely urbanized, offering Queens residents a peek into the past as well as an open outdoor space for community gatherings, a rare commodity across the borough.
Unfortunately, this 300-year-old Ridgewood relic’s ability to survive is being threatened by a badly-decaying roof in desperate need of repair. In the house’s attic, a room which formerly served as a meeting space for class visits or colonial dinners, natural light streams in through dozens of gaps and cracks speckled across the ceiling. The space has been out of commission for the past few years; during rainstorms water seeps into the room.
The house’s librarian and archivist George Miller said the roof, which was constructed with cedar shingles after a fire in the late 1970s, is in dire need of renovations.
Curator Richard Asbell said the problem with the roof has gotten progressively worse in recent years. He said he dreads the upcoming winter and fears the structure will not make it if the season is particularly harsh.
Fortunately, a number of community leaders and local businesses have joined forces to come to the house’s rescue by creating “Let’s Raise the Roof at the Vander Ende-Onderdonk House,” an event geared towards raising proceeds to be donated to repairing the house’s rotting roof. On Oct. 23, there will be a cocktail reception complete with catered food, live music, a bonfire and party favors. Later in the evening, there will be a presentation honoring Assemblywoman Cathy Nolan (D-Astoria) and community leader Paul Kerzner. Mayor Mike Bloomberg will also be in attendance and recognized as a special guest.
Corporations like Waste Management and Exxon Mobil have already committed to support the event. In fact, Waste Management’s Market Area Community Relations Specialist Rachael Amar is a co-chair for the fundraiser.
Great, you can hit Mike up for the dough. I guess Exxon and Waste Management think this is adequate restitution for the damage they have done to the area. Nice try but I think not.
9 comments:
Note:
This house is mostly a reconstruction.
Very little of the original fabric was left of it after the fire they had there many years ago.
At one point, during financial difficulties, it was offered to the Queens historical Society to take over.
They declined after a member pointed out to them that it would be like carrying a millstone on their backs.
Just like a certain church in a box will no doubt be.
There's more left of that "church in a box" than there is of Onderdonk.
And it's all original...you dope!
When the St. Saviour's site is finally acquired as parkland it will be reassembled there...uh..."pinky" Gallagher!
They are going to start building it in All faiths before the original land is saved.
Mark my words, they gave up on the land. It's not near their membership so they don't give a shit about it.
What ever happened to the terms maintenance and upkeep? Why is it always redo and forget about it until the last possible minute? Doesn't anyone realize consistent maintenance is cheaper than waiting 20- 30 years and then having to do major renovations?
Why are the roofs of 330 year old buildings intact, and a roof of a 30 year old building is falling apart.
Like so much of restoration in Queens these days, its not done by a real professional.
The upstairs was always all but unusable, being cold in the winder and sweltering in the summer.
Remember the peeling paint at Flushing Town Hall? The on going disaster of Bowne House? The $120,000 weekend disassembly of St Stavours by day laborers who retained 20% of the historic fabric?
St Savours on a land coveted by a developer - 90% intact - could not be landmarked.
Onderdonk House 40%? intact - ok to landmark.
St Savours 'restored' - 20% intact - Sacred Sites and Landmarks Conservency here we come!
I WONDER IF A DEAL IS IN THE WORKS TO SELL PART OF THE LAND TO A DEVELOPER IN EXCHANGE FOR 'FIRM FINANICAL FOOTING.'
PLEASE NOTE THE QUOTES.
IF ITS GOOD ENOUGH FOR SCHOOLS THE LIKE TO LOSE PLAYGROUNDS, ONDY IS FAIR GAME. THATS THE WAY THEY DO THINGS IN THIS BOROUGH.
It looks like for years the hysterical society that runs Onderdonk has had some holes in its head too.
Why did they allow things to get this far?
Post a Comment