The Oyster Bay Railroad Museum kicked off its capital campaign on Sept. 22 at a well-attended meeting held at the Sagamore Yacht Club. The OBRM board of directors and Station Restoration and Campaign Committee members demonstrated how far they have come in their planning, including an interesting highlight about the station house architect, Bradford Lee Gilbert.
“His bread and butter was railroad stations. He did 18 different ones, including this one for the LIRR,” said John Collins, historic design professional, who is working on the new plans with architect Peter Albinski. Gilbert was known for his interest in the latest technology and became known as the Inventor of the Skyscraper.
The meeting was opened by OBRM President John Specce, who re-created a scene from 1904 of residents waiting at the station for TR to come from NYC, including the sound of the train whistle and brakes stopping, followed by the appearance of James Foote, TR enactor.
He said, “Our duty is to bring back the station building to its former glory,” and asked, “Are you up to the task?” to which there were cheers and applause. “We can’t bring TR back but we can bring the station back,” he said. That was the theme of the evening.
Currently there is $700,000 pledged or secured for the project, and Specce thanked the Bahnik, Dolan and Pulling Foundations for their generosity. The total cost of phase I & II is $2 million. This includes $550,000 for exhibits and program.
He also thanked the Town of Oyster Bay for their confidence and support, including renewing their lease for another 10 years. He also thanked the Oyster Bay Historical Society for the brass plaque denoting the station being on the National Register of Historic Places; the Society for the Preservation of Long Island Antiquities for their help and support; and the Main Street Association of Oyster Bay, who got a NYS Quality of Life Community Fund grant to create a historic structures report that is the “God/guide for the project.”
Collins explained that when TR became president they had to extend the passenger sheds to 200 feet, reaching the current railroad crossing. It was needed because of the volume of visitors coming to Oyster Bay. There was a discussion on whether it might be possible to re-create the sheds into TR Park, following the original rail footprint, which has been moved further south. The sheds would give a feeling of the original volume of visitors who came to Oyster Bay.
Archeological Discoveries
“Much of the original architecture survives… and the building tells us what was here,” said Collins.
That includes the impressive granolithic concrete that still exists under the current asphalt. It is a high grade concrete and they will take samples and re-create the material.
Over the years the station has had changes made. In 1964 the LIRR did a major renovation of the station in the interests of moving passengers, but were not bothered about preserving history.
Dave Morrison, former OBLIRR branch manager, related a longtime saying, “If it wasn’t for the larceny of its own employees, no history of the LIRR would exist.”
Luckily the work can be reversed; several windows that were bricked over still have the existing glass in place. “Of 29 windows, 20 have survived,” said Collins.
Phase I – Exterior Work
Collins said the project will begin with Phase I (with a finish date of 2015) for the exterior work including the electricity, gas, sewer and water connections. Phase II will include interior, HVAC, electrical, plumbing and design and installation of exhibits. They plan on reconstructing only a portion of the sheds, since they have just a half-acre to work upon. He told of many discoveries on elements of the building that will allow them to make it historically accurate.
Town Offers Help
With all the infrastructure work, he said, “We’ll make a mess of the plaza (in front of the station),” adding that he hoped the town might take over the restoration work. “Many times Venditto asks, ‘What can I do for you; and the town does things like carting away waste materials, which saves them a lot of money and that can mean saving $35,000 right off the top. Councilman Macagnone, who attended the meeting, agreed that the town was willing to help the project.
Collins also said they might also save money by getting discounts from suppliers, and that some local builders have offered workers.
Educational Program
Board member Bill Burke, who is working with Donald Zoeller on the education committee, talked of their plans, and introduced Beth Levinthal, the Executive Director of Hofstra University Museum. She sees the OBRM restoration project as a great teaching tool for students, to open gateways of understanding for kids to learn; and an effective way for young learners to try-on careers. “I am deeply impressed with everything happening here, she said, adding, “Museums are drivers of the economy.”
For more information visit OBRM.com. If you are interested in helping the project, you can send a donation to the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum, P.O. Box 335, Oyster Bay, NY 11771. The Visitor Center is open seasonally on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 102 Audrey Ave. Oyster Bay; 516-558-7036.
