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Health & Fitness

Important New Evidence Found at Knapp House

More than just the front doorway of the Knapp House should be saved.

Since last January, I have been asking the town board and Neil DeLuca, the developer of Crompond Crossing, to save as much as possible of the Knapp House before it is demolished at the site on Old Crompond Road.

Research has indicated that the house was begun by David Knapp, a farmer, veteran of the Revolutionary War and deacon of the First Presbyterian Church. It remained in the Knapp family until it was bought by Anna Held, the first wife of Florenz Ziegfeld. Photos from the 1960's show that it was a beautiful house until recently.  

Neil DeLuca kindly allowed us to take the dooway which dates to the Greek Revival period in the mid 19th century. It seemed, however, that nothing could be saved from the earlier period of the house.

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However, we just learned this morning that the style of the joins in the oak post and beam framing of the front wall that was revealed when removing the front doorway is much older than the doorway according to an expert at the State Historic Preservation Office. This substantial oak framing may be related to David Knapp, one of the founders of our town.  

This wonderfully crafted oak structure has stood for over 200 years. I have asked Mr. DeLuca again in light of the new information that has come to light to save as much as possible of the post and beam structure for use in a future interpretive display. It is an important relic both of our town and our country's earliest days. 

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If he agress, his generosity will be remembered for years to come.   

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