News

Originally posted January 22, 2021

Update: April 6, 2021 – Installation completed of the south front doors (1710).

Donation of 18th century doors by our master timber framer, Scott W. Brown, were restored by Frank Zambella of Belle Interiors (309 Montauk Hwy, East Moriches, NY 11940). The doors will be hung in the 1710 south front doorway of the Ketcham Inn. The door frame retained the historic pintle holes, so it was apparent that a double leaf door was required for this doorway. The historic 18th century mortice and tendon, oak tree pegged doors were disassembled to review structural integrity and reassembled for installation, which will include pintle and strap hinges in their historic locations.

Loading…

Taking too long?

Reload document

| Open in new tab

Master Gardener Jane Corrarino noted in the January 2022 Newsletter of The Horticultural Alliance of the Hamptons

Ketcham Inn Foundation, Inc has participated annually at the Longwood Fair for 30 years. Located opposite the front door of the beautiful Smith Estate house at Longwood, we sell local history books, used and antiquarian books for book lovers and book collectors of all kinds. Our primary fundraiser is at the Ketcham Inn Book Barn.

For Immediate Release

Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation Grant to support the John Scudder Havens & Mary Pelletreau Havens Homestead, Center Moriches Roof Restoration Project

Moriches Bay Historical Society (MBHS) is very pleased to become a recipient of a $30,000 matching Grant from the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation to support the Havens Homestead Roof Project this past June.

The House and property have well-documented and rich history dating back to the pre-Colonial period and up to modern times. The Homestead was moved in 1971 off the 260-acre Havens Estate property which became the Terrell River County Park Preserve in 1989. The Havens Homestead now rests at a northernly portion of the Estate currently located at 15, Montauk Hwy, Center Moriches.

The roof was replaced more than 50 years ago and has reached the end of its effective lifespan. In recent years, the deterioration has accelerated to the point where the Moriches Bay Historic Society has deemed the current conditions unsustainable and has been aggressively raising funds to remedy this circumstance. MBHS, as caretaker of the Havens House and Barn, has a critical responsibility of maintaining roofs.

For those of you who have supported us, we are very grateful, and if you would like to support MBHS’ efforts, visit our GoFundMe at gofundme.com/f/havens-homestead-roof-project.

We once again would like to extend our sincere thanks to the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation for their continued support of our significant projects in the Moriches.

https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-announces-2020-new-york-state-historic-preservation-awards

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that eleven projects preserving state history, ranging from an eighteenth-century Dutch barn rehabilitation to an artist installation memorializing black lives at John Brown Farm State Historic Site, have received 2020 State Historic Preservation Awards. Created in 1980, the State Historic Preservation Awards are awarded by the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation each year to honor excellence in the protection and revitalization of historic and cultural resources. The Governor also signed legislation in 2013 to bolster state use of rehabilitation tax credits, which have spurred billions of dollars in completed investments of historic commercial properties and tens of millions in owner-occupied historic homes. 

“The 2020 New York State Historic Preservation Awards help bolster efforts to keep New York’s storied history protected and accessible to all,” Governor Cuomo said. “These historic projects demonstrate the diversity of lived New York experiences since our state’s founding. New York is thankful to the dedicated stewards of each site, who provide invaluable support by devoting countless hours to the protection of historic sites for all to learn from and enjoy.”

State Parks Commissioner Erik Kulleseid said, “The diversity of the projects being recognized demonstrates that preservation begins with passionate local individuals expanding their advocacy into productive partnerships. We are proud to be one of those partners and congratulate all of the individuals and groups for their extraordinary efforts to preserve these historic places.”   

Mary E. Bell House, Center Moriches, Long Island

Excellence in Organizational Achievement  

The restoration and historic registers listing of the Mary E. Bell House preserves a history of black landownership on Long Island during the nineteenth century and documents the central role of women within the Moriches African American community. Constructed in 1872, the home was occupied by the Smith and Bell families for more than 100 years. Owner Mary Bell rose to prominence in the community for her association with the Moriches AME Zion Church. By 2011, the house had fallen into disrepair. The town of Brookhaven acquired the property and a formal agreement with the Ketcham Inn Foundation was entered to restore the building, which now operates as historic site.

January 2021, a Corner cupboard, of Conklin-Havens ownership, was transferred from Long Island Museum of American Art, History, & Carriages to Ketcham Inn Foundation, Inc. As seen on p. 128, item 146 of Long Island is My Nation, by Dean F. Failey (Corner Cupboard, 1725-1750, East Moriches, Pine)

Our garden restoration program is ongoing and orchestrated by Dr. Jane Corrarino. She will be doing an overview plan of vegetable and flower gardens appropriate to the 18th century for the Ketcham Inn site. Seed sowing and plant propagation has begun.

Jane has worked tirelessly with other Master Gardeners to restore the three gardens on the Ketcham Inn site – a historically accurate 18^th century colonial kitchen garden, a 19^th century boxwood garden, and a large community garden, which donates all produce to local food pantries.  The Ketcham Inn has now been designated as an ‘approved site’ for Master Gardeners to complete their volunteer hours in order to maintain certification.

If you are interested in participating in this outside, open-air event, and would enjoy cultivating and planting perennial historic gardens. Contact Dr. Corrarino at janecorrarino@yahoo.com

Loading…

Taking too long?

Reload document

| Open in new tab

Volunteers are always welcome to join us with planting, maintaining and harvesting. Call (631) 878-1855 or email janecorrarino@yahoo.com

On a cold January night, Diane Schwindt hosted five hunters with a hearty meal and a great discussion of their day’s venture. In the Ketcham Inn kitchen of 1693, the men exhibited the culled ducks which were shortly thereafter prepared for freezing for future meals.