Huntington, NY -- Yesterday, the Suffolk County Legislature approved a resolution introduced by Legislator Jon Cooper (D-Huntington) that will allow the county to purchase "Normandy Manor," a 3.3 acre tract of land across from the entrance to the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum in Centerport.
The property includes an architecturally and historically significant dwelling that served as the superintendent's residence of the original Vanderbilt estate. It contains numerous ornamental trees, gardens and landscaping.
Cooper's legislation authorizes the county to issue approximately $1.4 million in bonds to purchase the property. The acquisition, though, would not cost anything above what the county already planned to spend this year in its capital budget. The purchase would use $1.345 million in bonds previously earmarked to replace the projector at the Vanderbilt Planetarium. Planning delays have caused that project to be postponed for at least one year.
The purchase of Normandy Manor has long been a goal of the Vanderbilt Museum's Board of Trustees. Tentative plans call for the property to be used for interpretive educational programs, temporary exhibits and for public lectures and seminars. This would also provide much-needed storage areas for museum collections and office space for the institution. It is expected to increase visitation to the museum and generate additional revenues.
"I am glad that my colleagues joined me in the effort to preserve this historically significant property," Cooper said today. "This purchase will protect the architectural continuity of the Vanderbilt Museum and will enhance this cultural treasure."
The County Executive is expected to sign the bill.
