Historic Architecture Program Northeast Region THE NEW BARN Sagamore Hill National Historic Site Oyster Bay, New York Historic Structure Report THE NEW BARN HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORT Sagamore Hill National Historic Site Oyster Bay, New York By James J. Lee, III, Architectural Conservator Historic Architecture Program Northeast Region, National Park Service Lowell, Massachusetts 2005 CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES AND CREDITS .................................................................................. vi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.......................................................................................................x INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY..................................................................................................... 3 Purpose and Scope ..................................................................................................... 3 Historical Overview ................................................................................................... 3 Statement of Significance......................................................................................... 4 Research Conducted ..................................................................................................... 6 Research Findings....................................................................................................... 6 Recommended Treatment....................................................................................... 7 ADMINISTRATIVE DATA.................................................................................................. 9 Location of Site ............................................................................................................ 9 National Register of Historic Places.................................................................... 9 List of Classified Structures Information........................................................10 Proposed Use ..............................................................................................................10 Related Studies...........................................................................................................11 iii PART I: DEVELOPMENTAL HISTORY....................................................................13 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT....................................................15 Early History of Long Island ................................................................................15 Oyster Bay ....................................................................................................................16 Sagamore Hill .............................................................................................................17 CHRONOLOGY OF DEVELOPMENT AND USE...................................................28 Construction...............................................................................................................28 Original Appearance................................................................................................31 Exterior Elements.............................................................................................31 Interior Elements..............................................................................................33 Structural Elements..........................................................................................34 Use During the Roosevelt Stewardship............................................................36 Alterations ...................................................................................................................48 Circa 1947..........................................................................................................48 Exterior Alterations.............................................................................49 Interior Alterations .............................................................................52 Utilities ..................................................................................................55 Theodore Roosevelt Association (TRA): 1948- 1963 ..................................55 National Park Service: 1963 – Present............................................................58 CURRENT PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION .........................................................69 Exterior Elements .....................................................................................................71 Foundation ........................................................................................................71 Walls ...................................................................................................................71 Porches...............................................................................................................71 Doorways and Windows..................................................................................72 Roofs...................................................................................................................72 Other Elements.................................................................................................73 iv Interior Elements ......................................................................................................73 Basement ............................................................................................................73 First Story...........................................................................................................73 Second Story......................................................................................................75 Attic.....................................................................................................................75 Utilities..........................................................................................................................75 Electrical Service...............................................................................................75 Heat and Hot Water.........................................................................................76 Part II: TREATMENT AND USE......................................................................................79 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................81 CHARACTER- DEFINING FEATURES.......................................................................83 Exterior Elements .....................................................................................................83 Design and Context ..........................................................................................83 Porches...............................................................................................................83 Fenestration.......................................................................................................83 Roof and Related Elements .............................................................................83 Materials.............................................................................................................84 Finishes...............................................................................................................84 Interior Elements ......................................................................................................84 Plan .....................................................................................................................84 Floors..................................................................................................................84 Walls and Ceilings.............................................................................................84 Doorways ...........................................................................................................84 Woodwork.........................................................................................................84 RECOMMENDATIONS .....................................................................................................85 Exterior Elements .....................................................................................................85 Design and Context ..........................................................................................85 Porches...............................................................................................................86 Fenestration.......................................................................................................86 Roof and Related Elements .............................................................................86 Materials.............................................................................................................87 Finishes...............................................................................................................87 v Interior Elements ......................................................................................................88 Plan .....................................................................................................................88 Floors..................................................................................................................88 Walls and Ceilings.............................................................................................89 Doorways