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Health & Fitness

Progress with Preservation?

As we contemplate more development, let's not erase our past.

Yorktown’s motto “Progress with Preservation” reflects a commitment to honor the past as we move forward. Local citizens may argue these days about what constitutes “progress” but there is no question that big changes are planned for the route 202 corridor west of the Taconic Parkway.  

Some of these changes are unquestionably needed such as the construction of Crompond Corners, an affordable housing complex at 3372 Old Crompond Road across from the Staples Shopping Center.

But what about preservation? 

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Since last January, I have been informing the town board and our Planning Department about the existing house at the Crompond Corners site that is now set for demolition in two weeks. Its history is unusually well-documented and connects Yorktown with the major events and social changes that have taken place in our country over the last 250 years. It literally embodies the entire story of our town connecting David Knapp-- a farmer, church deacon and veteran of the Revolutionary War-- with Anna Held, one of the most famous entertainers of the last century. Anna Held left the house to her daughter Liane Carrera (pictured) who turned it into a notable inn in the 1930’s.

Yorktown is not a museum, and I have never suggested that that the existence of this house should block this project but I have been trying without success to raise awareness and support to preserve substantial elements for future use by the town. Once it's gone, it's lost forever. At this point, access may only be provided for a few hours on the last day before the demolition and the town hasn’t even given a commitment to store any of the salvaged materials.

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I have been criticized by those involved in the plan to renovate and develop the old Adams Bernstein Property as not being resourceful but a considerable profit will be made in that deal. Are we so impoverished a town that 250 years of its history will go into a dumpster unless there’s a dollar to be made? The sad fact is that the developer was open to doing more months ago-- even offering a bit above the demolition cost if we could get the house off the site.

As Linda Kiederer wrote for the Yorktown Historical Society’s website 12 years ago, “The Town of Yorktown’s official motto should be foremost in our minds and that of our elected officials whenever we are faced with change that affects Yorktown’s landscape.” Since that time we have lost buildings that gave character to our town and it looks like this will only continue unless we join together as other communities have done seeking a range of funding sources to preserve our history as we build our future. Nothing is sadder than a plaque marking the site of an historic structure that could have been saved. 

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