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EVENTS
Art Exhibit at Mahopac Public Library
April 15 to June 1, 2008
Historic Belden
House subject of Paint-Fest 2006
Putnam County Courier August 17, 2006
We, the
residents of Putnam County, support and encourage all efforts, including
those of New York City Department of Environmental Protection, Putnam
County officials, community organizations and interested individuals, to
preserve and restore the 1760 Gothic Revival Belden House as a unique
reminder for present and future generations of Putnam's historical,
cultural and architectural past.
The Family of Linda Birrell-Meunier
inhabited Belden House from 1973 to 1990. Her Father was employed by the
DEP and she has fond memories of her stay there.
DEP ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR
2.9 MILLION REHABILITATION OF BELDEN HOUSE IN PUTNAM COUNTY
Links
www.putopenspaces.com
www.newyorkwater.org
www.westchesterlandtrust.org
www.townofcarmel.org
www.putnamcountyny.com
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ARTICLES
March
31, 2006
The Putnam County Courier
To the Editor:
In a determined effort to restore and preserve the historic Belden House, two
organizations have formed in Putnam County: Friends of Belden House in
conjunction with the Putnam County Coalition to Preserve Open Space and Citizens
for Belden House.
Belden House, located adjacent to the West Branch Reservoir and easily seen from
Route 6 in Carmel, bespeaks of the rich 18th and 19th centuries history of
Putnam County; the pre-
Revolutionary picture of the daily lives of residents and the social and
business development of the area.
Belden House is inextricably linked with the century-old development of the New
York City
Watershed System. The house and property are owned by the New York City
Department of
Environmental Protection. While it appears there is a co-operative spirit
expressed by DEP to protect the house from the wrecking ball, efforts for
preserving and restoring are urgent. The elements are attacking (the roof leaks)
and a vacant building deteriorates quickly.
The mission, so far stated, is to create a museum with the many available
photographs, and
artifacts that represent this treasure and our area.
Putnam County history is documented by many historical markers along our
roadways.
Preservation of historical sites will add to the tapestry of our beautiful
landscape. It will provide to present and future generations a look at a history
affecting our lives even today.
To sign a petition or to express interest in helping in the effort to restore
Belden House contact
http://www.friendsofbeldenhouse.org
Carol Ettlinger
Carmel
PUTNAM’S FUTURE DEPENDS
ON IT’S ABILITY TO RESCUE THE PAST
GUEST COLUMN: PATRICIA
HOUSER
PUTNAM COUNTY COURIER -
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2006
While discussions about suburban growth continue in
Putnam and Westchester Counties and local communities sort out conflicts over
which landscape to preserve vs. build out - there is an interesting, and not
wholly unrelated, group of local history projects on the agenda of the towns in
Putnam.
In Mahopac, the archaeological dig on the Hill-Agor site
- though currently at the center of a political debate - is already providing a
rare view into the lives of one of the earliest farm families in this region.
*In Carmel, there is an effort to preserve the historic Belden House on Route
6 which tells a story about Carmel’s past that can’t be summed up in a roadside
marker. And the barns and fields that have been preserved at Tilly Foster
offer a precious, if tenuous, link to the landscapes that were most
characteristic of this region for one hundred and fifty years.
Beyond these projects, are proposals in the works for
the reconstruction of a historic mill in Kent, and in Brewster there is an
interest in recapturing a certain turn-of-the century charm that still peers out
at Main Street in the facades of 19th century storefronts.
In a newspaper full of often pressing issues, these
items may be dismissed as the hobbies of a dedicated group of “history buff”
(see January 23, Journal News). However, the time may be here for the average
citizen to take an interest in the question of which parts of the town’s past
are worth preserving and how they should be preserved.
Every town in America has a history that makes it a
unique place. Many towns ignore so much of that history in the process of
growing, that they take on the homogeneous appearance of commercial strips where
the landmarks are look-alike fast food chains. In these cases the things that
make a town unique gradually, quietly, fade away - until one town looks like
another. When you stand, or park your car, at the center of these towns you
might be anywhere - or as one write puts it, you feel like you are “nowhere”
(The Geography of Nowhere, 1995).
Recovering lost history can be expensive. Suburban
places that wake up one day to find that haphazard development has made them
“ugly,” often resort to hiring consulting firms to help them beautify a town or
village. Among the first recommendations of these planning firms is to create a
historic feeling in the town - they prescribe building facades with an antique
character and adding everything from old-street lamps, awning and benches to
town clocks and gazebos. Sometimes the result has a bit of a phony tinge to it
- like the fake historic buildings in Disneyland. But there are few
alternatives for a town that has lost touch with its own history and where all
the original buildings are gone.
Some officials seem to feel that history doesn’t pay.
If the historic site is note a “ratable (taxable property) or employer of
hundreds of people, then it is not earning its keep. But this ignores the
long-term gain in improving the quality of community life - and making the town
a desirable as a place to live and visit. Not surprisingly, towns across the
U.S. That have placed a priority on historic preservation - and environmental
health for that matter - have better prospects for future economic prosperity.
*Two of Putnam County’s greatest assets - its
environmental beauty and the history of its towns - are in need of careful
nurturing. The County is at a crossroads where it must decide what to do with
its few remaining truly historical sites and landscape. It would be easy for
the above places and projects to be shelved - or to be carried out in a
half-hearted or amateurish way, with loss to the integrity of the site. But
there is an opportunity as well, for a broader group of residents, to let town
and county officials know what they think about these projects, and to consider
the role that the past must play in shaping their town’s future.
Patricia Hauser,
Carmel
PhD candidate, Urban Planning Program,
Columbia University
Former Assistant Professor of Geography,
Western Connecticut State University
*NOTE: Highlighted portion
of article added by webmaster.
Belden House to be saved from wrecking ball
By: Eric Gross
Article from Putnam Courier
12/01/2005
CARMEL-Last summer's rejection by the Putnam Legislature to acquire the
245-year-old Belden House in Carmel brought fear in the hearts of many local
residents that the gothic structure overlooking the New York City watershed
would be razed.
The lawmakers voted to withdraw from a pending agreement with the city that
would have turned the deed of the landmark over to Putnam County in exchange for
several parcels of vacant county-owned land.
Department of Environmental Protection spokesman Ian Michaels put an end to the
uncertainty when telling the Putnam County Courier, "The demolition of the
Belden House is not in our plans. It obviously has a lot of damage. The roof is
in deplorable condition. Temporary roofing work is under way to shore things up
in a patchwork job. Lead paint is found at the site but despite these obstacles
the city is not considering tearing down the Belden House."
County Executive Robert Bondi noted that county government had been very
supportive of the Belden House. "We realize that it has taken a long time to
secure the future of the historic structure but even though New York City has
stepped up to the plate prior to the county government paying the bill, we
applaud the city's efforts."
Bondi said in the county's capital projects budget money has been included to
repair and restore the Belden House by using private funds and fund-raising
sources. "This can work nicely with the efforts of the DEP that we proceed in
partnership to save this landmark for our future generations," he said.
Last month, members of the Putnam Legislature finalized the deal for the three
parcels. They also requested permission of the New York City Department of
Environmental Protection to "remove any and all historic and architectural
elements from the Belden House prior to the demolition of the building if such
an event were ever to take place."
Deputy Legislature Chairman Terry Intrary identified the artifacts as fireplaces
and mantels, doors and windows including exterior and interior casings, stairs
and staircases, balusters, handrails and newels, selected original flooring,
exterior gingerbread and exterior copper components, dormers and gutters.
Intrary said the county was "not in a financial position to take title to the
property or expend taxpayer's money to repair and restore the Belden House."
Legislature Chairman Robert McGuigan said, "Time had taken its toll on the
building. The Legislature will assist and support any local group wishing to
assume the responsibility of acquiring the structure and raising funds to
restore it. Unfortunately, the time is not appropriate to spend tax dollars on
the project."
Legislator Vincent Tamagna, who chairs the Legislature's Land Acquisition
Committee, said while lawmakers had been "proactive in preserving Putnam's
historic heritage, we cannot commit tax dollars for restoration when we don't
know what the future holds."
Estimates for repair range from $1.5 to $2 million.
Legislator Regina Morini, whose district encompasses the Belden House, described
the old building as an "incredible resource. Once it's gone, it will be lost
forever. People questioned the county's decision when we decided to refurbish
our historic Putnam Courthouse. Years later that decision proved to be the right
one. The Belden House should be saved from the contractor's wrecking ball."
McGuigan and Tamagna wrote to New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg asking that
he intervene and give the Belden House a second chance.
McGuigan called New York City a "very good partner in the past. I hope the city
will give serious consideration to deeding the Belden House to a local
not-for-profit corporation."
New York City took title to the Belden House that was constructed in 1760 by
Thomas Belden, a land agent for the wealthy Phillipse family, in the late 1880s
and constructed a dam creating the West Branch Reservoir.
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection has allowed the
landmark to deteriorate over the years. Today water leaks through the roof.
Interior walls are cracked. Floors are spongy and plaster has been ruined.
©Putnam County Courier 2006
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