Name
Address

Mayor Ralph A. Scordino
Village of Babylon
153 West Main Street
Babylon, NY 11702

Dear Mayor Scordino:

As a resident of the Village of Babylon, I write you to express my deep concerns about the imminent demolition of the historic David Smith House located at 527 Deer Park Ave. It is my hope that you, the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Board of Trustees will take the necessary actions to save and preserve the David Smith House.

One reason my family chose to live in the Village was because of its’ beautiful historic homes. The David Smith House is one of the oldest homes in the Village that dates back to the Revolutionary War. David Smith- buried right here in the Babylon Cemetery-served in the Revolutionary War under General George Washington and built his home in 1790. The David Smith House also has possible ties to the Underground Railroad. Such a house is nothing less than a treasure to the Village. This is a piece of history worth saving and it makes our Village special, with deep historical ties to the formation of our great nation.

Even though the David Smith House is not currently on the National Register of Historic Places, it is eligible and would be included once the owner agrees.

Recently Newsday published two separate articles about two historic homes – one in Huntington and the other in Montauk – that were built in the late 1700’s. In both cases the respective local governments saved them from demolition. If both Huntington and Montauk can realize the value of historic structures, my hope is that my own beloved Village will also recognize the value in protecting its own historic structures.

In 2012, a petition with over 700 Village signatures was submitted to the meeting of Village Board of Appeals in support of saving the Smith House. In the presence of over 50 residents who supported the petition, you announced that efforts would begin to save historic homes. Mediation efforts began with an agreement that the owner of the Smith property would save and move the house on the property. It came as quite a surprise to now learn more than 4 years later that the owner now plans to demolish the David Smith House.

If this historical treasure is demolished it is lost forever. it cannot be replaced or replicated. I urge you to take whatever action is necessary and within your power to ensure the preservation of the David Smith House.

Sincerely,