Onderdonk House needs a new roof

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.