BBP Heritage Association

Thank you to everyone who spent some time at Meadow Croft this season. Whether you took a tour, participated in the Digital Tapestry Augmented Reality Experience, or visited our beautiful property to take a hike, we thank you! Meadow Croft had a wonderful season of guests and special tours of the estate but now it is time to prepare for our signature event; Christmas at Meadow Croft! Hope to see you all there!

A Vanishing New York

John, Lazzaro, author, photographer

November 24, 2024

2-4pm BBP Library

Back by popular demand, photographer John Lazzaro will once again be presenting his photographs documenting the remains of abandoned buildings and vanishing New York architecture. New York is filled with forsaken buildings, each ravaged by the exploits of modernization, each having fascinating histories. This photographic essay explores over 40 of the most evocative abandoned sites in the Empire State and puts their individual stories in the larger context of New York’s historical legacy.

Photographer and author John Lazzaro traveled the state, capturing what’s left of such places before they are inevitably swept away by time. Divided by region, these sites, ranging from the Catskills’ once-vibrant vacation destinations to Long Island’s melancholy psychiatric centers, reveal deeper social, cultural, and political changes that lead to their decay. These abandoned hospitals, schools, churches, railways, and estates offer us a view into a past rapidly dissolving before it disappears completely.

The presentation will include his approach to photography, inspiration for the book, and an education and thought-provoking history of many of the sites visited and photographed.

Thank you to all who came out and supported our communities and the BBPHA for a fun day at the Community Expo sponsored by the BBP Chamber of Commerce. This year it was held on October 23, at the Bayport Flower Houses.

Many friends and history lovers stopped by the Bayport Blue Point Heritage Association's table and played the Wheel of History game. Local history books were given out as prizes. We hope you had a great time, we certainly did!

On Saturday, October 19, The Bayport Blue Point Heritage Association presented a lecture and tour of

Meadow Croft with a different perspective. Instead of focusing on the glamorous lifestyle of the Roosevelts, BBPHA historian Frank Giebfried and Mary Lou Cohalan showed visitors how the Roosevelt servants lived and worked on this turn-of-the-century estate.

The day began with a slide lecture explaining the history of domestic servants, which were almost

entirely unmarried Irish women when the Roosevelt's employed their staff. More than 40 people signed up for the sold out event. The spectacular fall weather that day encouraged groups to explore the farm, auto-barn and Carriage House before touring the mansion. Once inside, docents led visitors through the house, explaining the kinds of tasks servants undertook in each room.

The highlight of the tour was the presentation of the newly renovated servants’ quarters above the

kitchen and laundry. “The servant room and the communal bathroom was our main undertaking this year at Meadow Croft. We think it is a great addition to our tours, “ said BBPHA president Mary Bailey. The Servant Tour is the first of many thematic tours the BBPHA hopes to create in the future.

We thank the BBP Library for always working so closely with our Association and of course we could not have put this amazing day together without the help and support of Mary Lou Cohalan and board member Frank Giebfried.

It is almost time for our Annual Christmas at Meadow Croft! This year's event will be held on Saturday and Sunday, December 7th & 8th, 2024. There will be special exhibits, electric trains, wood carvings, and of course St. Nicholas will be there. Hot cocoa and family pictures with St. Nick will be in the Carriage House. The Roosevelt piano will be filling the air with holiday music and the festive decorations and baskets will be raffled off. The theme for this year is A Candy Coated Christmas!

Christmas Aglow: Back by popular demand, 2 special preview nights on Friday & Saturday, December 6th & 7th from 7:00-9:00pm. A special guided tour of the full estate in all of its Christmas glory as well as refreshments served. This preview event is for adults only and is $25.00 per person. These tickets are not interchangeable so when purchasing tickets on our website, please specify what night you would like to attend. We have sold out quickly the last 3 years so don't wait! Gather your friends and family for a wonderful festive night at MC. Tickets are limited to 50 people per night and can be purchased on our website starting on November 15, 2024.

Volunteers needed: We are in need of some parking attendants to help with traffic on both Saturday and Sunday. If you have some time to spare and would like to help, please call Craig Clare at 631-921-5245.

Get in the holiday spirit!

Gifts available for purchase!

Gift baskets & decorations to be raffled off!

Save the dates! December 7th & 8th from 12:00-4:00.

Admission $10.00 per person.

Hope to see you there!

On Monday, November 11th from 10:00-1:00, the Long Island Conservancy will be hosting a volunteer day at Meadow Croft. Over the past several years, the Long Island Conservancy has been reintroducing native plants at this iconic former estate of John Ellis Roosevelt while also removing invasive plants.

We have planted Red Maples along the edge of the meadow, established a native wildflower garden, and planted American Chestnut saplings as part of the breeding program. Native plants are crucial for our native wildlife.

As winter approaches, we need to prepare. Of greatest concern are the invasive plants that threaten the grounds. This time of year is the perfect time to tackle the problem, and many hands make light work!

There are many reasons to volunteer:

• Many schools have volunteer requirements and Monday, Veteran's Day is a holiday
• Encounter Nature! Meadow Croft is beautifully situated at a fork in Brown's River
• Learn about this historic estate, once owned by President Theodore Roosevelt's cousin, John
• Learn about native and invasive plants
• Hear the story of the American Chestnut and about our efforts to bring it back
• Learn how we can combat the Spotted Lanternfly, an invasive insect
• Get some native wildflower seeds to start your own pollinator garden
• All volunteers will receive a Long Island Conservancy hoodie to be sent to you once we have your size

Let us know if you plan to be part of our restoration effort to return native plants to Meadow Croft! The Long Island Conservancy promotes local stewardship in communities across Long Island. If you have any questions, or to contact us, please call 516-778-9719. Please bring your work gloves and rakes for this event. Hope to see you there!

A very special Thank You goes out to the many men and women who volunteer their time to share the rich history of John Ellis Roosevelt, his family and the grandeur of the Meadow Croft estate. Every weekend, from June through October, the estate is staffed to give guided tours, share facts and answer any questions our guests may have. Rain or shine we are staffed and ready to go. Special Thank you goes to Jen Economos who organized the docents and Jerry McCluskey who is our special, welcoming greeter to all!

Thank you to: Frank Giebfried, Beth Lamarca, Joe Novak, Mary Lou Cohalan, Mary Bailey, LeAnne Berg, BayLee Browning, Lynn Clarke, Tom Condra, Roy Fedelem, Henry Hoyt, Sandra Iden, Denise Coscia, and Ralph Muller. We appreciate your time, dedication and expertise! The BBPHA couldn't do our job without the amazing volunteers we have. THANK YOU!

These articles were first printed in the Bayport Blue Point Gazette and written by Gene Horton.

They are reprinted here with permission.

November 2008

About 2 months ago, I found this old postcard on E-bay. After receiving it in the mail, I drove to Bayport figuring this old house was probably on Middle Road or Bayport Avenue or South Ocean Avenue, And BINGO! I found this house, barely changed at 60 S. Ocean Ave.

I then went to the Bayport Heritage Association archives at the Roosevelt estate, Meadow Croft and found some more information about the history of this house. On the back of the 1930's E-bay postcard, is written: Frances A. Caldwell, Phone Bayport 331. This property is situated at Bayport, Long Island. House contains Solarium, Living Room, Dinging Room, Kitchen and Pantry, four large Bed Rooms, two Baths and large Attic. All improvements of every description. Garage for three Cars and Man's Room with improvements. Plot 100 x 300 Price $20,000. After contacting the present home-owners, I learned more about the house and grounds. This was originally a summer home, built probably in the 1870's by a Capt. Vaughn.

In its June 23rd, 1883 issue, the "Patchogue ADVANCE" noted: Capt. Vaughn has disposed of his property on Ocean Ave., which contains four and 1/3 acres of land and a handsome dwelling through the real estate agency of Potter & Price of Patchogue to Henry Prat, Esq. of NYC for the sum of $5,000. The house apparently remained in the Prat family from 1883-1915 when it was purchased by R.W. Caldwell. Subsequent owners were Charles & Mildred Erickson (1938) and Warren & Mary Kaiser (1951). There was an old gazebo behind the house, a stone BBQ pit, an attic and an outhouse. The original three-car garage with a "gentleman's quarters," an attic and a cement floor, remains on the property.