One By One

As East End towns and villages seek to preserve their character by protecting 18th and 19th century houses from demolition and deterioration, many other contributing homes, especially those that lie outside of a designated historic district, often go overlooked.

Early 20th century homes by famous architects or that were once owned by famous artists and writers are, for the most part, guaranteed some degree of relief from redevelopment pressure. But the houses that fall between the cracks are under constant threat. These are the homes that are not old enough to be called historic as a matter of course. They are houses that were built a century ago by everyday people and for everyday people — and they helped shape the South Fork we know today.

At a recent meeting of the Southampton Village Architectural Review and Historic Preservation Board, one of those at-risk houses was on the agenda with a demolition request. The members agreed that the house was nothing spectacular, while also agreeing that it should be saved.

“I would hope that we wouldn’t continue to pick these off one by one, because they represent vernacular buildings — workers’ cottages — that are every bit as important as the big, quote, ‘cottages’ and estates on the water,” board member Sarah Latham said, expertly summing up the broader situation. History is being lost while few take notice because the value of seemingly workaday houses is underappreciated.

Chairman Jeffrey Brodlieb noted the challenge the board has: How does the board preserve this house while still allowing the opportunity for responsible development?

Board members tossed out ideas for how the historic structure could be preserved while still permitting the new property owner to have a much larger house. It’s how many old homes are saved on the East End: As long as the original parts of a home are left intact and remain the focal point of the home, additions may be built off the back and sides.

It is, in theory, the best of both worlds — a solution that satisfies both preservationists and property owners. In reality, many property owners incessantly push to raze every last bit of what’s standing, ingloriously tossing what makes the East End special into dumpsters to be carted off to a landfill.

Many review boards have the will to protect these houses, but often they don’t have the law on their side in order to do so. A review of the laws and their deficits is due in every town and village.