Dan's Papers - August 10, 2007 - Building Begins At East Hampton Town Hall

The cement is about to be poured for the foundations of the colonial houses that were moved this spring from Adelaide de Menil and Ted Carpenter's estate to the front lawn of East Hampton Town Hall. Lynn Ryan in the Town Supervisor's office said that everything is going well. After the cement is poured, it was cure for 28 days, meaning that the houses will not be put onto their new foundations until mid-September. Supervisor William McGintee is "thrilled and pleased with the project," according to Ms. Ryan.

The historical homes, which were moved from the estate on Further Lane with much fanfare at no cost to the Town, are going to be used to expand the space needed to run the Town of East Hampton.

The plan is to connect the four houses with a glass atrium with fieldstone floors that will be porous, for safety concerns. Ms. Ryan explained that the Hedges House (purple house), now on the eastern end of the property, would be converted into offices for the Town Supervisor and his staff. The Hand House will house the Town Council and their staff. The lower levels of both houses will be used by bookkeeping, the Town Attorney and other staff. There will dramatic use of some fir wood the Ms. de Menil donated, along with the $2 Million she and Mr. Carpenter gave to the town.

The Parsons' Barn is going to become the new Town Board Meeting Room. It is from here that the broadcast of Town Board Meetings will emanate. The other barn, now named the de Menil-Carpenter Barn in honor of the patrons, will be primarily used for Town Board work sessions. However, Ms. Ryan also believes that public town meetings will also be held there. The Baker Barn is now being prepared to serve as the grand entrance to the complex and the Peach House will remain where it is, unconnected to the rest of the complex, serving as office space. There are also two sheds -- one shed will be a tourist information center and the other shed is to be used as a facility for maintenance storage.

The Supervisor believes that this will all be completed by May of next year. The total cost is expected to be about seven million dollars, with the Town of East Hampton providing five million and the other two million being provided by Ms. de Menil and Mr. Carpenter's gift. There was a consensus that with the growth of the Town and its government, the extra space was needed and that this unique approach will be a way to keep the history of the Town visible while aiding in the expansion and increased efficiency of town business. As Ms. Ryan put it, the Town employees are "looking forward to working in a historical setting." She added, "I am thrilled and happy with the progress to date."

It is now just a matter of time before the sounds of the twenty first century will be bouncing off of walls originally built over two hundred years ago. Soon, the staff and elected officials of East Hampton Town will be reminded daily of the heritage and tradition that they are now protecting and maintaining as they make decisions to ensure their Town's controlled and healthy growth.

Someday, the events of the last year will only remain in history books and the recesses of the minds of those who witnessed it. But millions will drive by the Town's new offices and be reminded of the history of their Town and the dedication of the Town of East Hampton, Adelaide de Menil and Ted Carpenter to saving these structures and placing them where they can be enjoyed by East Hampton residents and visitors for years to come.