Long Island group tries to save historic house

From CBS New York:

The house was built in 1900 by Civil War veteran George Sumner Kellogg. It is now owned by Nassau County, which plans to build a much-needed larger police precinct at the site.

“When I heard that this house – the Kellogg House – might be (demolished), it was sort of something that I just couldn’t sit quietly by,” said architectural preservationist Arthur Rollin.

History buffs stepped in to save what they called a remarkable time capsule.

“The shingles, the clapboards – a lot of exterior elements – in addition to everything, practically, on the interior, is original to when it was built,” Rollin said. “And it’s 113 years old, so that’s pretty rare to find.

Tubs, sinks and stained glass are also original. The arches are perfect examples of Queen Anne constructionform when Long Island was transitioning from farm land to suburbs.

The house faces what in 1900 was a wood-planked road, which later became known as Merrick Road. At the turn of the 20th century, it was lined with majestic homes of prominent families.

New York State last week deemed the house eligible as a national landmark. Nassau County officials have offered to move the house, but that could compromise its rare brick foundation with tree trunk supports.