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Monday, April 20, 2009

Save The Abraham Manee-Seguine Homestead (Staten Island, NY)

Manee Homestead in 1920s
This Dutch-French Huguenot Farmhouse was built by Abraham Manee around 1670, and is one of the oldest structures on Staten Island.

Since there is a dearth of original 17th century Dutch construction left on the Island, this house is worth saving.  It is in a terrible state, as it has a hole in the roof and weeds have covered the structure.

Please send letters to Boro President Molinaro, Councilman Ignizio, State Senator Lanza, The Department of Parks and Recreation, The Historic Houses Trust of NYC, and The Landmarks Preservation Commission of NYC, and let them know we are serious about wanting the entire site preserved and free from any construction!


Visit the Preservation League of Staten Island 's Website for more info.

Click on the link below to sign the petition!

http://www.petitiononline.com/ABEMANEE/petition.html

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

The Grange I designed in Google SketchUp

This image was created in Google SketchUp 7 and loaded to Google Earth. The site is a slope of a hillside within St. Nicholas Park, which is at the corner of St. Nicholas Avenue and 141st Street. The view is facing south with St. Nicholas Avenue on the left, and City College on the terrace on the right. Unfortunately, you cannot see any of the architectural dtails that I have included because the snapshot isn't close enough. I will atttempt to upload more detailed images of the Grange itself in Google SketUp.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Incorrect Information about The Grange


It amazes me how often I come across posts on blogs about The Grange with so much incorrect information about the structure and architecture of Alex's House! Residents went berserk when they found out the NPS was reorienting the house because of the limitations of the new location in St. Nicholas Park. What they don't realize is that so many of our Nation's historic, architectural treasures have been moved from their original sites and reoriented in order to prevent demolition!
People who post don't understand Colonial and Federal architecture (just look at all of the incorrect and hideous knockoffs we see polluting our landscape!) or understand the original design of the Piazzas, the moving of the front entry, and the destruction of the original Piazzas when the structure was moved in 1889. And this info is so easily available to find on the Internet. I wish people were more informed about the subject matter they are posting about before they publish their posts! It is nothing short of a travesty that there is so little knowledge of one of our greatest Founding Fathers! Just look at Monticello and all that has been done for Jefferson's home! I am sure the NPS will create a shrine for Alex!

Monday, February 9, 2009