Highlights From the Long Island Motor Parkway Preservation Society Meeting on Thursday, October 27, 2023
On Thursday, October 26, 2023, an enthusiastic crowd of 35 LI Motor Parkway Preservation Society members were delighted by an evening of Gilded Age and Long Island Country Homes and Estates, with a presentation by Long Island Country Home author, Paul Mateyunas.
Greg O.
The evening meeting coincidently occurred on the 145th anniversary of Willie K's birthday, so the presentation started with a resounding rendition of 'Happy Birthday To You' from the crowd to our own favorite road builder William K. Vanderbilt Jr.
With the sudden, sad loss of NASCAR legend and Preservation Society member Marty Himes this past week, Howard delivered his personal recollections of Marty followed by a moment of silence for our good friend.
Being one of the last to tour Marty's extensive museum, VanderbiltCupRaces.com's own archivist and columnist, Gram 'InstaGRAM' Spina spoke of his recent visit and admiration of Marty Himes.
Next on the evening's agenda was Motor Parkway news from the last year and a display of Howard's favorite Co-author, Al Velocci's new photo and map additions to his Motor Parkway collection.
Al V's unique images of an aerial of Roosevelt Field and a 1908 real estate development map of the Ronkonkoma area.
The crowd getting a close-up view of Al's treasures.
While speaking of some recent Vanderbilia auctions in Hershey, Pennsylvania, the crowd was asked if they had any themselves.
Of course, Ruth Valentine proudly held her Motor Parkway plate high in the air!
The night was capped off by Paul Mateyunas' wonderful lecture on Long Island's Gold Coast estates.
An incredible colorized photo of OHEKA Castle found in an air duct during restoration.
Paul talks about Vanderbilt Cup Race participant Foxhall Keene's estate. Keene drove in the 1905 and 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Races.
Some discussion about the Pratt Oval, lower left, and Mackay's Harbor Hill, lower right.
The sad demolition of Feguson's Castle in Cold Spring harbor.
A good time had by all!
See you at the next meeting!
Comments
First time attending and found the whole evening captivating. And so emotionally impressed by my Son Gram’s tribute to Marty.
Marty Himes was the last survivor of the race-group photo hung at his home/museum. RIP Marty. Hoping you meet your competitors once again
My first time at a meeting and I enjoyed it tremendously. Thank you to my cousin Mark Thomas for telling me about it. I’m looking forward to the next gathering. Nice to meet you Howard.
Gilded age mansions…..sorry I missed this! Right up my alley!
Regarding the Foxhall Keene Estate, AKA Rosemary Hall, I wonder if this came up at the meeting: It is now currently owned by a church!
Rock Community Church owns this Foxhall mansion, and ALSO owns KNOLL which is a former Phipps Estate literally right next door to Foxhall.
This is confusing on so many levels. Why would any church want to buy spectacular old expensive mansions like this? What are they doing with them? How could their parishioners possibly be ok with this?
I did a little research a while back and discovered that they tried to get tax relief from Old Westbury for these mansions, but were denied.
If anyone has any further info on this please share.
Photos of Foxhall
Photos of Knoll / Phipps mansion right next door - both owned by Rock Community Church.
I have a ton of pics of this place. I actually met the former owner of this house a few times—Mr. Bradley Martin - he was a super nice guy. Gave me a tour of the inside of the mansion.