Eastville Historical Society Still Pushing For Archaeological Survey On Old House

The Eastville Community Historical Society in Sag Harbor continues to push for an archaeological survey of a dilapidated, centuries-old house awaiting a demolition permit, but communication problems seem to have prevented the survey from being conducted.

Members of the historical society last month called for the survey at 11 Eastville Avenue in Sag Harbor because they believe there are artifacts–old china, pottery, tools, papers, potentially, anything–in the house that could provide insight into the history of the Eastville community and Sag Harbor Village as a whole. The house has been vacant for many years, most likely many decades, according to members of the Sag Harbor Village Historic Preservation and Architectural Board. Members of the historical society believe the house predates the American Revolution, while the property owners’ architect said he thinks it dates back to the mid-19th century at the earliest.

When required, archaeological surveys have to be commissioned by property owners at their own expense, at a cost of up to $4,000. Historical society members sought help from the ARB in mandating the survey, but the board opted to let the historical society and the property owners, brothers Edward and Matthew Mulderrig, resolve the matter on their own. ARB members indicated that the issue should have been raised years ago—not months after the property was purchased.

Last month the ARB granted a certificate of appropriateness that gave the Mulderrigs, along with their architect, Anthony Vermandois, the go-ahead to proceed with demolishing the house and building a new one in its place. The new 2,810-square-foot, single-family structure would include a detached garage and a pool. Mr. Vermandois said late last week that the Building Department had not yet issued the demolition permit.

The Mulderrigs and Mr. Vermandois asked Joan Tripp of the Sag Harbor Historical Society to help them find an archaeologist to oversee the survey, and have offered to let members of the Eastville Community Historical Society be present during the demolition to identify any artifacts.

However, in a letter written to Ms. Tripp dated September 25, Edward Mulderrig said the survey would have to be completed by October 9, and that the only way historical society members could be on the property during the demolition was if they provided a certificate of liability insurance. In addition, anything found would belong to the Mulderrigs, who would have the final say in whether they donated or sold the items to the society, or kept them.

Members of the historical society, however, claim they have not been able to get in touch with the Mulderrigs, and have only received correspondence from the property owners in the form of letters forwarded from Ms. Tripp.

Georgette Grier-Key, the director of the Eastville Community Historical Society, said no one from her organization was notified of the letter about the October 9 survey deadline from Mr. Mulderrig until October 3. But even if the letter had been received sooner, she said, it would not have been enough time to get the insurance coverage, or for the survey to be completed.

“This could not have been done in two weeks,” Mr. Grier-Key said in a phone interview last week.

Speaking on behalf of his clients, Mr. Vermandois said that because neither was contacted by the historical society by October 9, or even after that, they have decided to move on.

“They just haven’t been communicating effectively. There’s only so much we could do to help them in that regard,” he said of the society. “From what I understood, all Eastville needed to do was provide a letter of indemnification. Apparently Eastville balked at this, and neither Joan Tripp or her archaeologist is involved anymore.”

The historical society has been seeking additional help from its archaeological consultant, Allison Manfra McGovern, who has written to the ARB about the need for the survey. Ms. Manfra McGovern said a survey could unearth details about the multi-ethnic, working-class neighborhood of Eastville so many years ago, which included people of Native American, African-American and European descent.

“New construction in its place will disturb historic archaeological deposits that have been preserved in place since the last occupants left the site. That is what makes this site so significant,” Ms. Manfra McGovern wrote in a letter to ARB Chairman Cee Scott Brown dated October 2. “This buried data is historically invaluable. Eastville’s legacy is part of our local and national history.”

Ms. Manfra McGovern also suggested that the ARB is not following its code, which states that when the board makes a decision to approve or deny an application, “archaeological resources will be protected and preserved in place. If such resources must be disturbed, mitigation measures will be undertaken.”

Mr. Brown, on the other hand, has said it is not the board’s responsibility to mandate the archaeological survey, and that only the Mulderrigs would have the authority to do so since they own the property.

“We’re sensitive to your concerns,” he told Eastville members at an ARB meeting last month. “[But] I think it’s a bigger issue. The building is compromised completely. I understand the importance of the artifacts, but I’m not sure how that falls under us.”

Ms. Grier-Key said the Eastville Community Historical Society has contacted the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to intervene and will continue to push for the survey to be conducted before the house is torn down.

“It’s really upsetting to see the behavior of the village,” she said. “It’s really disheartening that we have codes and laws in place to protect everybody, but it seems to only be protecting one group of people—the wealthy.

“It just seems very uneven, unbalanced and unfair,” Ms. Grier-Key continued. “This would really allow us to [uncover] the pathways of mixed heritage and mixed people.”