New Haven Independent

Posted by: MorrisCove Resident | June 10, 2009 11:49 AM

This is a neighborhood treasure. What an opportunity to teach kids about history with a living example and we let it go to waste. There is a big differnece in reading about colonial life in a book then seeing it first hand.

Perhaps some of the vandalism to the exterior could have been avoided if those responsible had once been allowed to visit the interior. The house was not treated with respect by those responisible for it's care which leads to others treating without respect.

There are 50 people willing do something give them something to do be it a fundraiser, educational talks in local schools about restoring the home, something anything in a society where there is so much apathy it is time to take advantge of people who are willing to help. "Many hands make light work" and "Where there is a will there is a way".

Had there been a request for help when there were first problems we could have been years into raising funds, stablaization and restoration. Look what has happened since this issue was dragged into the light.

Posted by: Beansie's Mom | June 10, 2009 12:09 PM

Perhaps it's time for a new non-profit concerned with the history of the Eastern Shore of the city. Common Sense (and no, I'm not talking about Tom Payne's little booklet) is that you have to keep wood by the sea in shape. You do that by painting on a regular basis.

In the 20th century, those who didn't want to do that would have covered the house in siding. The New Haven Museum and Historical Society should be ashamed of themselves. NINE YEARS. It is in effect a slum lord here in this side of the city. My neighbors to the SOUTH were too gracious.

I certainly hope that it moves with 21st century speed to get back to the concerned residents of the EAST SHORE.

Posted by: WilliamMacMullen | June 10, 2009 12:09 PM

I want to apologise to Ms. Schloss, Mr. Miller, the Independent, and all who read my previous comment on the Morris Pardee story. I have done a disservice to all by venting my frustrations on an individual who only has a different view of historic preservation than I. In doing so I abrogated my own standard for thoughtful discourse. I read the standards set forth be the Independent and find that I believe my comments, though passionate sem mean spirited and have no place in the discussion of how to best take care of an historic gem of this City. Again, I offer my apologies to all, and especially Ms. Schloss

[Note: The original post has been deleted.]

Posted by: Alphonse Credenza | June 10, 2009 12:24 PM

Gosh, all the fuss for a couple of old clapboards. East Haven would be -- and CT as well -- better off with an airport than this old wreck. Everyone is thinking backwards. History is dead. Forward is progress.

Posted by: jawbone | June 10, 2009 12:39 PM

Alphonse,
You sound like Dick Lee circa 1960. Lotta good 'progress' did us back then.

Posted by: WilliamMacMullen | June 10, 2009 12:45 PM

The Fort Nathan Hale Restoration Projects Inc.,a non-profit right here on Woodward Avenue will work with the residents, the New Haven Historical Society and anyone else to restore the Morris Pardee house. I will offer my services to put together a comprehensive plan for restoration that we all can get behind. Along with that restoration plan will be a fundraising effort that will enable the residents to have a stake in the House, as they should. Fort Nathan Hale as an East shore entity has a vested interest in preserving all of our historical resources to enable those who come after us to have a fine example of what was built by those who came before us. I welcome everyone in the community that is interested to contact me personally, and I will set up a meeting where we can discuss options and potential solutions. The New Haven Museum needs to enter into a collaborative partnership with us to make this happen. The President and CEO of the New Haven Museum has told me that he is fully amenable and welcomes our support. Funds set aside by the original donor have to be used on the house for it's upkeep, as it was intended. We can all take pride and satisfaction that for once we can step up to the plate and do something in "our own backyard" that all of New Haven will be proud of. All of you who are willing to help in any way can contact me by e-mail at: WMACHQ@aol.com Together we can save the Morris Pardee House.

Wm. M. MacMullen,AIA, President
Fort Nathan Hale Restoration Projects Inc.

Posted by: Jonathan Hopkins | June 10, 2009 12:53 PM

Alphonse,
History gave us neighborhoods like The Newtownship (the only part that remains with us today is Wooster Square). 'Progress' has given us neighborhoods like Dixwell, West Rock, and Route 34.

Correct me if I'm wrong but aren't you conservative? Conservatives are historic preservationists of societal values and thoughts.

Posted by: Alphonse Credenza | June 10, 2009 2:01 PM

"You sound like Dick Lee circa 1960."

He didn't (couldn't) complete what he started!

Wooster Street and Square only thrives because it 1) has business to support and 2) was thoroughly gentrified in the 1980s. Homes there were more or less dilapidated structures that were bought cheap in the 60s and 70s, when that area was very high-crime.

1969 to 2009 in Wooster area. Now that is progress.

Posted by: The Count | June 10, 2009 3:59 PM

Al Credenza--or whoever you are--you are my hero!
While I have to go along with preserving the Pardee-Morris house, I wholeheartedly agree with you that Tweed airport has gotten short shrift for years. Hey, I'm all for preserving history, but where Tweed is concerned, that's going to extremes! We should have a terminal like Westchester County's, instead of the "large living room" I heard one of the passengers describe it. We're finally getting the taxiway extended and the safety overruns in place, partly because I think secretly, Mayor Capone Almon knew that an appeal was going nowhere. And, once they see the steps that are being taken for its betterment, the airlines may well take another look at New Haven, bad economy and all. Thanks again, Al!

Posted by: Brian V | June 10, 2009 5:23 PM

The Historical Society needs to figure a way to get the house repaired and let the public back in (in some capacity). I am sure Mr. Miller and Ms. Schloss' intentions are in the best place but, the bottom line is The New Haven Historical Society has been responsible for the property's up-keep and they are FAILING.

I hope they will take a serious look at Mr. MacMullen's proposal.
He seems to have the all the right qualifications:
1) He has done similar work before.
2) Has the qualifications to get the job done.
3) Believes he can get the job done with available resources.
4) He is excited about doing it.
5) Will donate his services to do a new survey of the property.
5) Has promised he will include the community and keep operations transparent.
What else could anyone want?
With the lack of any other plan in place, I truly hope this relationship will work.

There are people willing to help on many different levels, fund raising, gardening, manual labor, educational projects and more.
Ms. Schloss seemed opposed to all of them and was condescending too! I hope Mr. miller; who seemed very open to new solutions, is the decision maker at the Historical Society -Ms. Schloss appears to want to keep this piece of history to herself, to it's own detriment if necessary. She said: "it is premature to discuss proposals for restoring the house".
Then when is the time then Ms. Schloss?
The Historical Society has no plan in place and has had years to address the problems. They shut the home 9 years ago and since then, the neighbors have watched it decay.
The time for discussion IS now. The Historical Society has obligations to the Morris House, they have the help to fulfill them, they need to start.

Posted by: christine schloss | June 10, 2009 10:10 PM

I am sorry I came across as negative to some at the meeting; I was diagnosed with an infection that morning & was running a fever. The truth is that I am very excited about the enthusiasm the neighbors conveyed and hopeful that cooperation between the NHM & the community will lead to something positive at the Pardee-Morris House. I am out at the house most afternoons. Please come by and talk. Christine Schloss

Posted by: Laura Mahon | June 11, 2009 8:28 AM

If anyone is planning on putting together a fundraiser, I would love to promote it along with a story and some photos on my Historical Home site. I have about 1,000 old house lovers visit it each week at:

www.historical-home.com

Good luck with the restoration. History is definitely worth saving for future generations.

Posted by: christopher schaefer | June 11, 2009 9:07 AM

If the article gave an accurate report of this meeting, then I must say I'm disappointed by the lack of clarity on the part of Ms. Schloss & Mr. Miller. Nevertheless, Ms. Schloss is correct in pointing out that having enthusiastic neighbors slap on a coat of paint is hardly what this building needs. For a detailed example of what historic restoration involves, visit www.CityPointNewHavenConnecticut.net and go to the page entitled "The City Point Craftsman". This describes only a fraction of what's involved. And in this case, the work is being done on a very tiny 1871 house, so does not involve the same period-work that Pardee-Morris requires. Also, the City Point house is a private residence, so required some adaptations of a sort that would be unacceptable for a museum-quality restoration, which is what Pardee-Morris needs. I'm disappointed that no mention was made of possibly transferring ownership--and the trust fund--to HistoricNewEngland.org They have extensive experience in restoring and managing museum houses. Visit Roseland Cottage in Woodstock, CT which they own & restored. That's the kind of quality, authentic restoration--and continuing management--that Pardee-Morris needs.

Posted by: Kevin Buterbaugh | June 11, 2009 9:16 AM

Three comments

One: I have to wonder how serious the Historical Society is about fixing the Pardee Morris house considering the last nine years of neglect. Once the attention fades on the issue - the society is likely to go back to their old ways of ignoring the house and letting it continue to decline.

Two: The society also seems to have a strange view of the property. Yes - it is old - and the floors are old - 271 years old - but if the House is to have value then people must be allowed to see it, walk throughout it, and experience it. Treating it like a mausoleum means that it becomes merely another dead object with no real value to anyone. Europe is loaded with old castles, buildings etc but that still live with events being held in them and floors being walked. The society's view that this is so precious as requiring it to off limits is ridiculous.

Three: The idea that the airport should be expanded is ridiculous. The airline industry is currently contracting not expanding and the cities that have tried recently to gain air service by building runways or terminals hoping the flights would come have been deeply disappointed. Expanding Tweed would also mean more taxes for everyone else in the city as the neighborhoods around the airport would lose property value. Also, the airport is in the center of a residential neighborhood. No matter how long a runway you create there will be safety concerns that a downed aircraft will hit homes etc.

Posted by: The Count | June 11, 2009 3:46 PM

The only thing "ridiculous" about Tweed's expansion is that it wasn't done long ago. Mr. Butterbaugh (boy, he must've gotten a lot of kidding about that name as a kid), you use the same tired argument that property values will be affected if Tweed improves. Have you checked the value of YOUR property lately? You and I BOTH know that Tweed's existence has NOTHING whatsoever to do with that. But don't take my word for it; read the UConn Center for Economic Analysis study which concluded that home sales around Tweed behaved INDEPENDENT OF THE AIRPORT'S OPERATIONS. I don't think even YOU are naive enough to blame falling property values on the airport's current operations (although I've been wrong before).As for more taxes, well, you certainly aren't opposed to the Pearl Harbor Bridge improvement project because YOU would benefit from that, being an East Shore resident (and we know how much THAT'S going to cost in tax dollars). And I have a recommendation in answer to your concern of a plane hitting a house: remove the houses from the runway approach zone. Problem solved. You Mr. Butterbaugh are just another airport opponent spewing hate speech at Tweed in the name of "the environment" while your silence on other environmental matters is painfully obvious. The airport's improvements include replacing the Morris Creek flood gates which NO East Shore public official didn't have the cujones to even MENTION let alone tackle, so the streets of the Cove wouldn't flood. But people like you can't bring yourselves to put Tweed in ANY kind of a good light, lest it appear you've gone soft. This is why you approve of the New Haven-Springfield rail corridor improvement, Bradley International Airport being the chief beneficiary. Never mind the state's own Department of Transportation forecast an operating DEFICEIT in excess of $7 million. You were saying about tax dollars? We believe that an improved Tweed can do for Southern Connecticut what Bradley has done for the north, and what the Manchester and Providence airports have done for their regions. If you like the castles of Europe so much, may I suggest you move there.

Posted by: nfjanette | June 11, 2009 6:35 PM

This is why you approve of the New Haven-Springfield rail corridor improvement, Bradley International Airport being the chief beneficiary. Never mind the state's own Department of Transportation forecast an operating DEFICEIT in excess of $7 million.

All public transportation operates at a "deficit" in the sense that passenger revenue does not pay all costs. I'm not aware of any major public transportation that is not significantly subsidized in both capital and operating costs.

Posted by: Really Concerned | June 12, 2009 12:08 AM

This story has been hijacked to a debate on Tweed New Haven airport and choo choo trains to Bradley Airport. I think the DeStefano administration stooges always do this to distract interest from real issues. These questions should be answered.

How much will it cost Miller and Scloss to preserve this house for future generations?

Do Miller and Schloss have the ability to do what is needed?

How much money does William MacMullen want to do this work?

Is MacMullen more capable of doing the work than Schloss and Miller?

Has anyone checked the claims made by MacMullen or Miller and Schloss?

If the answer to this is no then why not?

MacMullen is a City employee. Is there a conflict of interest?

Why has Ms Kozin been blown off? Of all the people featured she seems the most dedicated, enthusiastic and interested. It sucks to be young. Please don't be dishartened.

With Attorney General Blumenthal on the scene is a really important artifact of New Haven history going to be sacrificed to his political ambition?

There are many issues here that need a close following. The DeStefano administration is hell bent on following Dick Lee's destruction of anything in the city more than ten years old. I just hope that the Independent acts as our eagle eye on this.

Posted by: William Hosley | June 12, 2009 6:50 PM

After four years of careful and costly research and analysis, the museum concluded that it the needs of the Pardee Morris House (prep and paint inside and out, lead abatement, insulation, ADA compliance,. replace and modernize plumbing and electric, restore widows and more) were likely to cost upwards of $500,000 and that doesn't include the additional cost of developing, designing, installing and operating a program and experience compelling enough to attract schools, tourists, neighbors and ongoing financial support. So in Sept. 2004, the Museum's board voted to sell the house with preservation restrictions and accept that the challenge of meeting those needs AND creating a viable, sustainable program was too great a challenge.

When the board then hired me in 2006, a person with 30 years experience creating, developing, and restoring historic houses, they shouldn't have been surprised by my confidence and willingness to give it another shot and try to make a go of it. My insistence on trying, initially applauded by Bill MacMullen, Arlene DePino, local preservationists and others, was controversial. After consultation with preservationists, planners, the City Library, a neighboring school and various interested parties, we developed a revitalization plan for Pardee Morris, estimated at $1.6 million. It was widely circulated and covered by the New Haven Register, the New Haven Preservation Trust, the New Haven Advocate and in radio interviews and became the basis for a State Bond request initiated by Sen. Martin Looney - which briefly looked very promising.

Some will say that our estimates were exaggerated or that we expected to fail. No one said so at the time and I challenge anyone to find an individual or organization experienced in developing and managing historic sites who believes that redeveloping Pardee Morris as a viable extension of the museum's mission can be accomplished for substantially less. We absolutely depended on the Bond funding which. Concerned residents should ask their political officials why some things get funded and others do not. Why does it take conflict and crisis to get attention?

After nine years of effort - far more than is apparent - I now agree that the house would really be much better off transferred with preservation restrictions to a private individual or a responsible non-profit with a viable plan of use. I no longer have any responsibility for this, having spent what political capital I ever had in trying. I am sure a strong voluntary effort and pressure will put a band aid on the situation. But I am equally sure that, absent substantial investment, that Pardee Morris will limp along and that once the fervor of the moment has passed, it will again be in crisis. Is that fair to the Museum, the community or the house?