VOLUME 4, ISSUE 3: FALL 2008 THE City of New Rochelle PRSRT-STD VOLUME 4, ISSUE 3: FALL 2008 City of New Rochelle HISTORICAL & U.S. Postage ISTORICAL LANDMARKS PAID THE H & NRESewsletter HighlightingER New Rochelle’sVER History REVIEW BOARD LANDMARKS P White Plains, NY City of New Rochelle • 515 North Avenue • New Rochelle, NY 10801 EVIEW OARD Permit No. 3017 R B ARESERVER Newsletter Highlighting New Rochelle’s History Melvin Beacher, A.I.A. P Chairman Belkys Reyes-Cuni Gerard Ragone Donald Richards Message from the Chairman Rosemary Speight Samuel Spady, Jr. ew Rochelle’s venerable monuments provide tangible, important links Theodore Wilson to our past. They are daily reminders of the residents who served our N What is the HLRB? Jean Friedman, Preservation Consultant country during times of war, the events that shaped America, and the indi- Funding viduals who made a difference on a national or local level. Many of these The HLRB is a seven member City New York State Department of Parks, historic treasures are in themselves works of art, created by prominent Board, first appointed by City Council Recreation, and Historic Preservation sculptors and artists. All deserve our collective attention and care. in 1985 to preserve New Rochelle’s Certified Local Government Program HLRB past and raise awareness of the City’s The City’s recent initiative to conserve our historic monuments serves rich history. The members are all local Editor as an excellent “case study” for proper preservation awareness and residents, volunteers, and knowledge- Barbara Davis treatment. In this newsletter we describe the “groundwork” required to able in local history. The HLRB begin the process that will 1) protect the monuments from potentially recommends the designation of Credit destructive measures such as sand blasting, improper cleaning agents and districts and landmarks to City Council, HLRB methods, and application of damaging finishes; and 2) preserve the and reviews all exterior renovations All archival images are from the Collection of the New Rochelle monuments for the enjoyment of future generations. We also provide a and new construction in the local his- Public Library summary of the guiding principles that will be used for the monuments toric district. The Board receives grants periodically for various historic preser- project and should be used for work on any historic project: the Secretary Please send comments and of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. vation projects. The HLRB is committed suggestions to: to identifying, maintaining, and Historical and Landmarks Review Board HISTORIC PRESERVATION 101 As Donald Reynolds noted in his excellent book, Remove Not the Ancient perpetuating the historic elements c/o Mrs. Sheila Beacher Landmark,“The wise man preserves that which he values and celebrates that make New Rochelle unique. Bureau of Buildings that which he preserves.” Ensuring the longevity of our monuments is a City Hall he Secretary of the Interi- fitting celebration of our past. 515 North Avenue or's Standards for the New Rochelle, NY 10801 TTreatment of Historic Properties (914) 636-8292 were developed to help protect our nation's irreplaceable cultural resources by promoting consistent preservation practices. They are a New Rochelle’s Historic series of concepts about maintain- ing, repairing and replacing historic materials, as well as designing new Monuments to be Preserved additions or making alterations. They cannot, in and of themselves, “Monuments are often simply perceived as significant cleaning and/or restoration, as be used to make decisions about another form of public sculpture, but they are more was determined by an inventory and which features of a historic property than that. Monuments are first and foremost needs assessment prepared by the Conservation Assessment should be preserved and which reminders. They are embodiments and symbols of Heritage Task Force* in 2006. might be changed. But once an our traditions and values.” The first stage of a multi-year project to Precipitates Emergency Moving Job appropriate treatment is selected, date, and conserve existing historic –Donald Martin Reynolds properly conserve these treasures is well While performing the Conditions the Standards provide philosophical con- on its way, thanks to funding provided by Assessment of the Soldier’s Monu- sistency to the work. materials and features will be physically everal dozen monuments and the City of New Rochelle. The Soldier’s ment, conservator Sandy Chung Within the Secretary of the Interior's and visually compatible, identifiable memorials are located through- Monument (the oldest memorial—also discovered that the soldier was off Standards for the Treatment of Historic upon close inspection, and properly documented for future research. Sout New Rochelle. From simple referred to as the Civil War Monument) its pedestal by about a half an Properties there are Standards for four plaques recognizing individual lives and Moulton Fountain which mark the inch, creating a potentially danger- distinct approaches to the treatment of • Changes to a property that have acquired historic significance in their own right will sacrificed in war, to elaborate sculptures west gateway to downtown New Rochelle ous situation for the soldier—and historic properties: suitable for placement in a national at the junction of Main and Huguenot Preservation focuses on the mainte- be retained and preserved. passers-by. The City of New • Distinctive materials, features, finishes, museum, these public tributes serve as Streets, are the first to receive preserva- Rochelle was immediately notified nance, stabilization, and repair of existing powerful and constant affirmations of our tion treatments. The World War I and construction techniques or examples and corrective measures begun. historic materials and retention of a prop- significant history. Time and Mother Monument, at the east gateway, is erty's form as it has evolved over time. of craftsmanship that characterize a Once the statue was lifted (by a • New additions, exterior Nature have taken their toll on the older next on the esteemed list. Rehabilitation acknowledges the need property will be preserved. professional art moving company), alterations, or related new monuments located outdoors. Seven of To ensure safe and accurate preserva- to alter or add to a historic property to • The existing condition of historic it was revealed that water had construction will not destroy these historic treasures are in need of tion of these irreplaceable cultural meet continuing or changing uses while features will be evaluated to determine seeped in between the statue and historic materials, features, resources, the Department of Public Works retaining the property's historic character. the appropriate level of intervention the pedestal, and the constant and spatial relationships that has been following a specific course of Restoration depicts a property at a par- needed. Where the severity of freezing and thawing (over the characterize the property. The analysis and treatment that is defined by ticular period of time in its history, while deterioration requires repair or limited past 100 or so winters) had caused replacement of a distinctive feature, new work will be differentiated the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards removing evidence of other periods. the soldier to slowly move from its the new material will match the old in from the old and will be for the Treatment of Historic Properties Reconstruction re-creates vanished or original placement on the monu- composition, design, color, and texture. compatible with the historic (www.nps.gov/history/hps/tps/standguide). non-surviving portions of a property for ment. Now realigned, the seal is Repair crew lifts the soldier off its base • Chemical or physical treatments, if materials, features, size, scale The guiding principles behind sensitive interpretive purpose. secure, as is the soldier! appropriate, will be undertaken using and proportion, and massing preservation design and practice in America, and the standards that will return Standards for Preservation the gentlest means possible. Treatments to protect the integrity of the that cause damage to historic materials property and its environment. these monuments to glory are the same met the Standard’s qualifications will be • Jablonski Building Conservation, Inc. of will not be used. • New additions and adjacent or related historically. guidelines that an owner of an historic executing the preservation treatments • A property will be used as it was histori- New York was awarded the contract • Archeological resources will be protected new construction will be undertaken in • Designs that were never executed building will employ to retain its integrity this Fall. cally, or be given a new use that through the bid process, and immediately and preserved in place. If such such a manner that, if removed in the historically will not be constructed. and value (See page 4: Historic Preserva- The very process of conserving the mon- maximizes the retention of distinctive began work on investigating the properties resources must be disturbed, mitiga- future, the essential form and integrity tion 101). uments, and future initiatives to enhance materials, features, spaces, and spatial through historic research and scientific tion measures will be undertaken. of the historic property and its environ- Standards for Reconstruction To this end, the preservation process their landscaping and accessibility, will relationships. Where a treatment and involves five basic steps: Identify, Investi- analysis on site and in the laboratory. use have not been identified, a property ment would be unimpaired. promote awareness and understanding of Also include: gate, Develop, Execute, and Educate. • The firm’s processes and findings were will be protected and, if necessary, Standards for Rehabilitation cultural resources—and the history they • Reconstruction will be based on the Here’s how the process was begun on New documented in a Conditions Assessment stabilized until additional work may be Standards for Restoration so beautifully relate. accurate duplication of historic features Rochelle’s monuments: Report for the Soldiers Monument, the undertaken. Also include: *The Heritage Task Force is comprised of Mel and elements substantiated by docu- • The general needs of the monuments Eliza and Peter Moulton Fountain, and • The historic character of a property will • Deteriorated historic features will be Also include: Beacher, HLRB Chairman; Barbara Davis, City mentary or physical evidence rather were identified by the Heritage Task the World War I Monument. be retained and preserved. The repaired rather than replaced. Where • Replacement of missing features Historian; Charlotte Ferguson, National Register than on conjectural designs or the avail- Force. DPW sought the services of a pro- • A plan for treatment and on-going main- replacement of intact or repairable his- the severity of deterioration requires from the restoration period will be property owner; Steve Goldberg, NRHS Social ability of different features from other fessional conservator with qualifications tenance was developed and outlined in toric materials or alteration of features, replacement of a distinctive feature, substantiated by documentary and Studies Chairman; Quentin Jacobs, Historic historic properties. A reconstructed Soldier’s Monument and Eliza and identified in the Standards. Conservation Specifications for each spaces, and spatial relationships that the new feature will match the old in physical evidence. A false sense of Preservationist; Suzanne Nolan, Landscape property will re-create the appearance Dr. Peter Moulton Memorial property. A professional firm that has characterize a property will be avoided. design, color, texture, and, where possi- history will not be created by adding Architect; and Rosemary Speight, HLRB member. of the non-surviving historic property in • Each property will be recognized as a ble, materials. Replacement of missing conjectural features, features from materials, design, color, and texture. physical record of its time, place, and features will be substantiated by docu- other properties, or by combining use. Work needed to stabilize, consoli- mentary and physical evidence. features that never existed together NEW ROCHELLE MONUMENTS AND MEMORIALS TO RECEIVE THE LONG AWAITED SOLDIER’S MONUMENT

CONSERVATION MEASURES FOR PRESERVATION very patriot can contribute his as many visitors in a single day,” and mite (sic) according to his means," detailed the long parade that had been DOWNTOWN / WATERFRONT GATEWAY NORTH AVENUE CORRIDOR “Eappealed notices from the Flan- organized by Isaac E. Young, Superinten- dreau Post following their April 27, 1895 dent of Schools. The statue was unveiled The Spanish-American War Monument World War I Monument meeting—at which a contract was signed by Miss Marie L. Cushing, a former New may receive conservation treatment Location: Faneuil Park, East Junction Main & Huguenot for the construction of a long-awaited Rochelle teacher and daughter of Civil when it is moved to an improved setting Streets memorial to New Rochelle’s war veterans. War hero, Commander W. B. Cushing, as part of the North Avenue Corridor "Every school child should give his nickel, U. S. Navy. Two Civil War cannons, Dedicated: December, 1921 Streetscapes Project. Through the years every laborer his dollar; every man who acquired through congressional action, Architect: L.R. Metcalfe parking spaces have encroached on the cares to help put up this monument to the green that protected and enhanced the were placed at the foot of the monument, Sculptor: Edmond Thomas Quinn patriotism of a historic town should con- completing the site that would later be monument, to the point that it appears tribute." The Civil War veterans of the New Historical Notes: The New Rochelle Art Association raised to be wedged between meters. The named “Roosevelt Park”. approximately $35,500 to erect the memorial, which was Rochelle Grand Army Republic (GAR) Post monument will be moved closer to North targeted Memorial Day, on May 30, for the designed by Louis R. Metcalfe. The sculptor of the Avenue and, with a new and larger land- THE ELIZA AND DR. PETER bronze Victory sculpture at the center of the memorial laying of the monument's foundation. MOULTON MEMORIAL scaped area, will receive the prominence The date was particularly poignant. was Edmond Thomas Quinn. Born in 1868, Quinn sculpted it deserves. At the tip of what was Roosevelt Park, several famous works, including “Edwin Booth as John Flandreau, the native son for whom the local Post was named, had been at the west junction of Main and Hamlet” in Gramercy Park, New York City, a bust of World War I Monument today The Spanish-American War Huguenot Streets, you’ll find a bronze Edgar Allan Poe for Poe Park and reliefs for the Battle Monument at King’s Mountain, killed in the Battle of Bethesda Church on Monument plaque with this inscription: "Erected as South Carolina. A mark on the side of the bronze monument identifies the Roman Spanish American War Monument today May 30, 1864. He was the only New a memorial to Eliza Moulton, a friend of Bronze Works as the foundry that cast the sculpture. The stone elements of the memorial Location: Hamilton Avenue, near North Rochelle casualty in the Civil War. dumb animals, 1827—1914, and her are composed of Milford pink granite obtained from the Dodds Granite Company. Avenue Unsuccessful attempts to have the father, Doctor Peter Moulton, the beloved Dedicated: May 30, 1925 Town of New Rochelle erect a monument dedicated to New Rochelle’s soldiers had physician, 1794—1873. ‘The Memory of Soldier’s Monument in Roosevelt Park c. 1910 DOWNTOWNGATEWAY Plaque Sculptress: Frances Adams Kent begun in 1875. Twenty years later, mem- the Just is Blessed.'" It marks a unique The cannons that were placed below the monument were scrapped for needed metal Historical Notes: Monument was funded bers of the G.A.R. and volunteer citizens memorial—a former drinking fountain for during World War I. Soldier’s Monument by the New Rochelle Art Association. The finally took it upon themselves to raise horses, and was erected sometime (also known as Civil War one New Rochelle man who died in the the funds to bring the project to fruition. between 1915 and 1918. Monument) war, Norman Crosby, was the son of In the weeks preceding the planned Dr. Peter Moulton and his wife, also Horace Crosby, the civil engineer who dedication, Ware's Department Store ran named Eliza, moved to New Rochelle What is in the Soldier’s Eliza and Dr. Peter Moulton contributed to the plans for Rochelle full page advertisements that listed the from Eastchester when their only daugh- Memorial Park. The monument project was coordi- names of 300 deceased veterans and the ter was a child. Moulton, one of the first Monument Cornerstone? Location: West Junction Main & nated by artist Orson Lowell, who was a battles in which they fought—those of physicians in the town, was "known for Huguenot Streets Rochelle Park resident and chair of the the Civil War, War of 1812 and Revolu- miles for his charitable work," the New (See page3) New Rochelle Art Association. tionary War. The popular store also Rochelle Paragraph once wrote. Unveiling Spanish American War Monument: pledged ten percent of their profits from Like her father, Eliza Moulton devoted Artist Orson Lowell unveils the Spanish sales receipts to the Soldier’s Monument her life to helping others. Her "tall, spare American War Memorial, 1925 Fund. School children collected pennies, figure was a familiar sight in town as she nickels and dimes. The Soldier’s Monu- visited the poor and sick, bearing material Soldier’s Monument Eliza and Dr. Peter ment Association, as the volunteer group and spiritual comfort," Mildred Farmer Moulton Memorial was named, ordered the monument from Stahl wrote in a historical overview for a Badger Bros. in Quincy, MA, and secured 1955 issue of the Standard Star. “Her a parcel of land from the Presbyterian deeds of kindness will live on for many MONUMENTS AND MEMORIALS REQUIRING CONSERVATION MEASURES Church, then located at the west junction years," the New Rochelle Paragraph of Main and Huguenot Streets. A time stated in her October 9, 1914 obituary. OLDEST MONUMENTS AND ART TREASURES capsule of sorts was prepared for place- Decades before the New Rochelle ment in the cornerstone. Humane Society was formed, stray and Thomas Paine Memorial The May 30, 1895 dedication went off Jacob Leisler Memorial injured animals were taken into the without a hitch, as reported in the New Location: At intersection of Paine and North Avenues Location: North Avenue and Broadview Moulton house at 257 Huguenot Street, Rochelle Pioneer: “Amid the stirring Dedicated: Nov. 9, 1839 (12’-6” monument without bust), Avenue where Eliza also organized local efforts of strains of martial music, accompanied by Rededicated May 30, 1881. Bronze bust dedication on May the fledgling ASPCA. She was a devout Dedicated: June 25, 1913 (225th Anniver- prayer and invocation and surrounded by 30, 1899. Rededicated and gifted to City of New Rochelle member of the First Presbyterian Church, sary of the founding of New Rochelle) over two thousand of our people, the October 14, 1905. which was, at the time, located at the Sculptor: Solon Borglum members of Flandreau Post No. 509 Architect of original monument: John Frazee G.A.R., accompanied by Gen. James junction of Huguenot and Main Streets, Postcard of Echo Bay c. 1890 Historical Notes: Jacob Leisler served as opposite the Moulton residence. Her Sculptor of Bronze Bust: James Wilson Alexander Shields of Davids Island, lay the corner- agent for the first Huguenot settlers of religious convictions inspired a host of MacDonald (1824—1903) New Rochelle, negotiating the deed of stone of the beautiful and imposing new soldiers monument that is to stand as a other endeavors—the foremost being the This roster of items placed in the monument was listed in the New Rochelle Historical Notes: The original architect, John Frazee, raised land sold to them by John Pell. The creator Woman's Christian Temperance Union. newspapers following the May 30, 1895 dedication: of the sculpture, Solon Borglum (1868— loyal tribute to those of our citizens, who the $1,300 necessary to create the monument, with support Miss. Moulton's altruistic activities 1922), was nationally recognized for his in the dark days from 1861 to '65 left • Map of New Rochelle of Gilbert Vale, editor of The Beacon. The 1881 repair and extended beyond New Rochelle's depictions of the American West. The home, wives and children and went to rededication was completed by the Liberal Club of New York mainland. During the Civil War, when • Charter of the Village of New Rochelle Leisler statue may be his only work help suppress the Rebellion." City. The sculptor of the bronze bust, Wilson MacDonald, was Davids Island served as DeCamp Hospital, • 37th annual report of the Board of Education commissioned by the New Rochelle Historical Association. depicting Colonial America. (Solon was The next year, on Memorial Day, she rowed over to the island to care for The monument was moved from a nearby location to the brother of Gustav Borglum, the sculptor of another grand event was held to • Order of exercises today the wounded Confederate and Union present location in 1905 (when North Avenue was widened), Mount Rushmore.) The statue was funded commemorate the placement of the stone • Annual statement of the Presbyterian Church soldiers. As was recalled by one of those and became the responsibility of the City at that time. Thomas Paine Memorial (Postcard c. 1910) by the Daughters of the Revolution. and granite monument. As the New York Times headlined, “The Village in Holiday soldiers visiting New Rochelle 50 years • Sketches of Christ Church, Pelham, Trinity Church, Church of Blessed Huguenot Memorial Dress Receives Her Many Visitors— later, “She brought flowers, fruit, cake or Elaborate Parade Followed by Exercise at whatever she could to make all of us Sacrament, Second Presbyterian Church Location: Hudson Park overlooking Long Island Sound Southwest side: Which Gen. Butterfield and Gen. Sickles happy. She came regularly, often sat for • Records of St. Gabriel's Church record, Grand Army Republic Northwest side of Monument: Dedicated: September 24, 1908; railing installed c. 1910, rededi- were Chief Speakers.” The article reported an hour or so at my bedside talking German M.E. Church, St. John's M.E. Church Book of Personal cation: 1938 that “New Rochelle has seldom received Dedicated: 1898 cheerfully to me and those around me." • Anniversary book of St. Lucas' War Sketches Inscription: “To commemorate the coming of the Huguenots. Inscription: “French Huguenot Family Names Identified with the Lutheran Church History of New Rochelle Prior to1750 (151 names listed in alpha- Erected by the Huguenot Association of New Rochelle and the • Lists of Town Officers, Village Officers, School Officers Westchester County Historical Society, 1688—1898. The gift of betical order). • Roster of Flandreau Post, G.A.R. the Huguenot descendants of New Rochelle.” • List of members of the Soldier's Memorial Association • List of soldiers enlisted in New Rochelle for duty in the War of the Rebellion and list of soldiers buried in New Rochelle • Recollections of F.M. Ackerman, Co. I 6th N.Y. Vol. Cavalry • May 25, 1895 issues of The New Rochelle Press, The New Rochelle Pioneer, The New Rochelle Paragraph • May 30, 1895 issues of The New York Tribune, The Forum, The New York Times • Confederate Bond • Picture of Echo Bay

Roosevelt Square—Postcard c. 1918 Soldier’s Monument and the Eliza and Dr. Peter Moulton Memorial are seen in front of Coming of the Huguenot Memorial (Postcard c. 1910) Huguenot Memorial with names of first settlers Jacob Leisler Statue (Postcard c. 1920s) the Presbyterian Church, which burned in 1923 and was rebuilt on Pintard Avenue.