It was a great opportunity to experience the potential of the Trousdell House at the Thank You Reception for supporters on Sunday Sept. 18. The North Shore Land Alliance and the Oyster Bay Preservation Roundtable thank you party was for people who responded to their invitation to a “Shadow Ball.” The tongue-in-cheek event invitation said the Shadow Ball would be held “Thursday evening, April 35, in the Ballroom of the Oyster Bay Opera House, 15000 Cove Road, entrance via the Oyster Bay to Rye Bridge.” It explained a total of 600 cards of admission at $100 each (or 60 for $1,000) were available for this event to raise funds that are needed for emergency repairs to the Adelia & Cornelius McCoon House (a.k.a. the Trousdell House or Hillside). The several names for the house indicate the many layers of history the house encompasses.
While they didn’t achieve the needed $60,000 they did receive about $18,000 and held a wonderful thank you party at the Trousdell House.
Work on the house took place on Friday, Sept. 16, when Rita Pecora said much of the heavy work would be done and Saturday, Sept. 17, making it ready for the party. John Schwartzburg was playing music on the porch, making it an official Oyster Bay event. Several pieces of antique furniture remained in the house to give a sense of what it can look like in the future as a Bed & Breakfast.
Lisa Ott, NSLA president said, “We look forward to working with the town and the community for a happy use for the property.” Town of Oyster Bay is interested in the concept of giving a B&B designation to the house. Oyster Bay Town Councilwoman Rebecca Alessia, who has a background in planning, attended the Sunday event.
Many people are interested in restoring the house. If you have received an invitation to the Shadow Ball and were “unable to attend” your checks are still welcome. This is a good cause and it shows, in that a great many people have been willing to do their part to save this house. It will be a great addition to the hamlet and we hope you agree, as well as agree to support it. The more of us who do, the better it will look in future grant proposals. It means the people have spoken and they are willing and involved in the project.
You can send a check to help restore the Trousdell House to The North Shore Land Alliance, 151 Post Road, Old Westbury, NY 11568 or call 626-0908 for information or to offer help.
And… it would be wonderful if some of the not-for-profits would consider making a donation to the Trousdell House restoration from their fundraising efforts at the Oyster Festival. In the end it will benefit the community. Doing so would also give a sense of ownership.
The house location is wonderfully set in the hamlet. There is a feeling of being miles away – in the country – while on the grounds of the estate. It will make a truly wonderful B&B and even a great place to have tea in the afternoons. We can even see it as a place the Oyster Bay and East Norwich Civic Associations might like to hold a future gala. Please help the dream become a reality.
– DFK
