From SI Live:A classic, turn-of-the-century Victorian house once graced 37 Liberty Ave. Not anymore.
The only thing standing on this site now is a wooden construction fence, with a sign announcing the construction of a two-family home "with many upgrades." It's a scenario that sadly repeats itself, on the East Shore and elsewhere on Staten Island.
For native Staten Islander Gail Heavey Aninowsky, now a resident of Matawan, N.J., the loss of the old house, which her grandfather, Henry Meise, purchased in 1910 from the Colebrook family, prompted personal reflection and a tide of remembrances.
"At a time when so many charming old homes are being torn down at the hands of hungry builders, I feel it is important to honor and remember what once was," she wrote to Advance, enclosing photographs of the shingle and clapboard house as it looked 90 years ago, in 1920, with its shuttered windows, gabled roof, stately corner turret, and stained-glass details.
13 comments:
Let's see if I'm following this story. Gail Heavey Aninowsky and her family sell the house and took the money from the person who paid the most (the builder). Then she bemoans the loss of the house in an attempt to prevent the builder from upgrading the property into a much higher tax bracket. My question, If she loved the house so much, why did she sell it ? What is it with people who feel that they can control without ownership ? Solution, Get a life Gail.
No you aren't following this story correctly. Nowhere in this article does it a say that the Heavey family sold the house to a builder. It says her grandfather purchased the house in 1910 and that she lived there until they moved to another home in SI in 1959. Learn to read, moron.
"What is it with people who feel that they can control without ownership ?"
Where does it say she wanted to control anything? She is reminiscing about the time she grew up in the house. Some people are so full of piss and vinegar for no reason whatsoever. Eat more fiber, dude.
Regardless of whether she sold the house to the developer or not, she no longer lives in it or on Staten Island, and if preserving the history of the place is so important to her, then why did she move?
Once again, you can't read. She said, and I quote, "At a time when so many charming old homes are being torn down at the hands of hungry builders, I feel it is important to honor and remember what once was."
What is so wrong with that? She is not trying to influence anything. The house is gone. People move for a variety of reasons. They get married, they get a job elsewhere, they get sick. Go get a hobby other than being a troll.
So beautiful - so what's there now?
Some large rectangular mustard colored cement box with white columns that are too large for it?
Just because you own a house does not mean you have the right to trash the neighborhood by tearing it down and replacing it with higher density crap.
Hey crap mouth. Your words "It says her grandfather purchased the house in 1910 and that she lived there until they moved to another home in SI in 1959" They SOLD the house and are now trying to save it 40 years later. Gail doesn't need a life, it's to late for her now.
No they aren't trying to save it, smartass. It's already gone. She is just reminiscing and showing her old photos. Why don't people seem to read the story before commenting? Or do they need Hooked on Phonics? Reading comprehension is sorely lacking in our public schools.
".... with its shuttered windows, gabled roof, stately corner turret, and stained-glass details."
Today one could add: Leaky roof, sagging floors and staircases, rotting window sashes and door saddles, lead plumbing and paint... and the Pièce de résistance: Genuine obsolete two wire electrical system with 15 amp service and cloth covered wire (albeit in rusty BX)
I'll pass.
"Leaky roof, sagging floors and staircases, rotting window sashes and door saddles, lead plumbing and paint, obsolete two wire electrical system with 15 amp service"
Yea SO WHAT ?
Add collapsing porch wile your at it.
I bought one EXACTLY like the one in the photo in Mattituck off the town of Southold with a dogwood tree in front and a barn for $100.
I made a deal to restore it back to 1920's complete with era molding and never build more on the plot. I get a huge tax break
It took 4 years of hard work. I did some important upgrades like insulation, 12 volt solar electric & hot water, water well and reverse osmosis filtering system.
Who needs 200 amp electric ?
If anyone cant make do with a 6000 BTU bedroom air conditioner drawing 4.5 amps during summer there a pig. I can run totally off the power grid (no electric bill)and still have a 37inch LCD TV and White LED room lights at night if I choose.
I think the house if far more modern the the best of these square shitboxes going up.
Old don't mean obsolete !
Today people have become stupid piggish brats demanding instant money or gratification.
I swear it become a disease !
Yes it's much better to overpay for a new pile of crap that will fall apart within 10 years.
Nostalgia is not public policy.
Build it up to the property line. Pave over everything green or brown. Now that's public policy!
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