Recognizing the Unique Homes that Characterize Scarsdale

(This is the opinion of Scarsdale10583 founder Joanne Wallenstein)
A recent trip to Charleston, SC gave me a new perspective on Scarsdale’s struggle to preserve our past. Spring was in full bloom with fragrant wisteria, colorful azaleas and stunning magnolias, and residents welcomed visitors to their gardens and inside their centuries-old homes during a three week period of tours arranged by the Historic Charleston Foundation. You couldn’t help but notice the pride and enthusiasm of the homeowners and volunteers as they guided us through verdant gardens and 19th century houses that had been updated with every modern convenience.

The historic district is lined with brick and clapboard homes, most with inviting porches, each unique but in concert with its neighbors. Walking the streets, peering through wrought iron gates, down alleys, and into secret gardens is intoxicating.

Many of the homes offer a narrative about their history on signage outside. There were small gold plaques marking the year the homes were built and the names of the original owners. Some had larger signs with multiple paragraphs about the provenance of the house, the architects, and the names and occupations of the owners.

As one of the preservationists on the tour told me, “These current homeowners consider themselves to be caretakers of these houses for now and future generations. They value what they have and know its worth preserving. No one would think of taking down one of these homes.”

I couldn’t help but compare this ethos to Scarsdale, where rather than seek to preserve their houses, many fight to demolish the stately homes that characterize the Village and our history. They subvert our laws, contend that the homes are worthless, and when they don’t get what they want, they sue the Village.

Why not turn this energy toward preserving what originally attracted many of these people to Scarsdale? Is there a way to build pride in our historic homes, 49% of which were built before 1940? How can we celebrate the unique architecture that characterizes the ‘Dale and laud residents who renovate instead of raze? In other words, how can we make it cool to live in and protect your old house?

The Village took the first step in preserving Scarsdale in 2012, when they hired architectural historians to survey our homes. In their introduction they say, “What is so astounding about Scarsdale is the quality of the housing no matter what the scale of the dwelling or the income-level of the original residents. There are wonderful homes of substantial scale in Fox Meadow and Murray Hill, but there are also smaller, yet still extraordinary homes in East Scarsdale and in the Scarsdale Heights area of Greenacres. A few of these houses were designed by well-known architects, but most, no less interesting and distinguished, are the work of little-known, often local Westchester designers.”

“While certain styles dominate the built landscape of Scarsdale, notably the Neo-Tudor, the English Cottage, and the Colonial Revival, other styles are evident throughout the village, including buildings with designs derived from Mediterranean architecture, from the Italian Renaissance, and from French Norman design, and there are also a number of important examples of post-World War II Modernism. All of these styles were employed with great originality and ingenuity throughout the village.”

They also noted that it is the individual homes, as well as the neighborhoods that warrant preservation. The report says, “When we consulted with representatives of the New York State Office of Historic Preservation, which manages the state’s National Register Program, they thought that many of the neighborhoods of Scarsdale would be eligible for National Register listing in their totality. Rather than taking such a broad-brush approach for a local survey, we looked for the very best and most cohesive areas. We also sought out clusters of buildings that reflected various eras of Scarsdale development.” The report outlines areas that might be denoted “historic districts.”

Unfortunately the Village of Scarsdale did not follow through with the next steps which were to designate individual homes for historic designation and define historic districts, but the basis for this work remains in the report.

Clearly some limits need to be set. It’s been ten years and the Village has not been willing to impose laws to discourage avaricious developers who aggressively hunt down opportunities to replace existing homes with McMansions that don’t fit in with neighboring homes, price new families out of town, strain our infrastructure and crowd our streets. We’re experiencing flooding as our tree canopy is destroyed and our storm sewers can’t handle the additional output.

The irony is that some claim that it’s bad economics to impose preservation laws. But facts show otherwise. Homes in historic districts have enhanced value and buyers appreciate good craftsmanship and quality design. According to completecommunities.org, “Preserved structures add character and charm, enhance neighborhood pride, and fosters a strong cultural identity among generational residents.”

So what can we do to foster this sense of pride in historic Scarsdale homes?

Here are a few ideas:

-Let’s recognize our older homes and treasure them. How about producing brass plates with the new Village logo, the year the house was built and wording to note its historic importance. Residents could purchase these with contributions going toward a preservation fund.

-Research on individual homes could be done and provided to the homeowners who purchase these plates. This research could be passed on with the home from owner to owner.

-An annual tour of historic homes could be done to showcase both historic properties and new renovations to historic homes. There are many good examples of old homes, redone to accommodate today’s lifestyles.

-Selling your home? With multiple offers and price wars resulting from the shortage of inventory, do what you can to sell your house to someone who wants to live in it rather than tear it down. Ask your realtor for ideas or even consider adding a covenant or legal language requiring the home to be preserved in the contract of sale. If developers are unable to scoop up homes, maybe they will seek to reap profits elsewhere.

Perhaps you have other ideas on how we can enhance historic preservation in town. While we wait for the Village Trustees to address the matter, as residents we can do a lot to save what remains.

Want to help? Email me at scarsdalecomments@gmail.com.