SCHUMER: DETERIORATION OF HISTORIC OYSTER BAY RAILROAD STATION USED BY TEDDY ROOSEVELT PUTS PLANNED VISITOR'S CENTER AT RISK; CALLS ON NATIONAL PARK SERVICE TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO PRESERVE VITAL LONG ISLAND TOURISM DESTINATION
Historic Oyster Bay Railroad Station, a Federal and State Landmark Once Used By Theodore Roosevelt to Commute to Sagamore Hill, Is In State of Advanced Deterioration
Oyster Bay Railroad Museum Plans to Convert Station Into New Visitor's Center That Would Draw 40,000 Visitors a Year, But Plan Could Be Delayed Without Technical and Financial Assistance
Schumer: While TR's Square Deal Promoted Conservation, Preservation of Oyster Bay Railroad Station Getting a Raw Deal
Yesterday, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer called on the National Park Service (NPS) to visit and evaluate the deteriorating historic Oyster Bay Railroad Station to determine if a new federal restoration plan is needed to preserve the structure and the legacy of President Theodore Roosevelt. The station, which served as a transportation hub in Long Island for more than a century, and was used by famous commuters such as President Theodore Roosevelt, is currently the proposed site of the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum's new visitor's center and would serve as a major tourist attraction drawing an estimated 40,000 visitors a year. Because the structure is in a state of "advanced deterioration", with significant structural, interior and exterior damage, plans for the center could be delayed if remedial activities are not undertaken to repair the historical structure. In a letter to NPS director Fran Mainella, Schumer said that rebuilding the station is crucial to preserving this piece of Long Island - and American - history and will provide an important economic boost to the region by connecting downtown Oyster Bay to the waterfront, increasing tourism.
"While Teddy Roosevelt's Square Deal promoted conservation, the preservation of the Old Oyster Bay Railroad Station is getting a raw deal," said Schumer. "As the station Teddy Roosevelt used to commute to Sagamore Hill, the Old Oyster Bay Railroad Station is a crucial piece of Long Island and American history, and deserves the utmost care and preservation. Add to that the fantastic visitors' center it will house as part of the Oyster Bay Museum, drawing tens of thousands of visitors a year, and I'd say it's a no brainer that the National Park Service should intervene to see if a new federal restoration plan is needed to preserve the structure."
Schumer said the NPS offers a number of assistance programs that could be used to repair the Oyster Bay Railroad Station. Instead of formally adding the station to the National Park System, the NPS could conduct a reconnaissance survey to determine what alternative management options would be necessary to protect the structure. Schumer said that in consultations with the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum Chairman Ben Jankowski, it appears the Railroad Station could possibly fit into three criteria: National Historic Site, National Recreation Area, and Affiliated Areas. The Historic Site and Affiliated Areas would tie into the "TR" theme associated with Sagamore Hill, which is only 2.5 miles away from the Station and T.R. Park. With the station abutting Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park, Oyster Bay harbor and the Waterfront Center with its historical activities, these attractions all tie into this unit's recreational component.
Schumer asked that the reconnaissance survey analyze these options and suggest potential avenues for federal resources, through preservation grants or historical tax credits. As an indispensable part of Long Island's history, the Oyster Bay Railroad Station clearly was worthy of preservation, Schumer noted. Without it, the Oyster Bay Museum's new visitors' center would be at risk of significant delay because of the advanced deterioration of the building, which includes the failing foundation at the east end of the station and water deterioration rotting the beams. When completed, Schumer said that the visitors' center will provide an important economic boost to the region by drawing tens of thousands of more tourists and encouraging visitors to patronize the downtown area by connecting it to the waterfront.
A copy of Schumer's letter is below.
Dear Director Mainella:
I write to you today to request that the National Park Service (NPS) conduct a reconnaissance survey for the historic Oyster Bay Railroad Station. The Oyster Bay Railroad Station has served as a vital transportation center for Theodore Roosevelt, as well as countless dignitaries during his presidency. This station has undoubtedly played a pivotal role not only in Long Island history, but American history as well. In its present condition, this federal historic landmark is currently in a state of disrepair. Various inadequately completed alterations to the building have led to the deterioration of the station's infrastructure. Today, I urge you as the Director of the National Park Service to evaluate the deteriorating historic Oyster Bay Railroad Station to determine if it is eligible for a new designation of significance by the Park Service and outline a plan to preserve it in consultation with local officials.
The Oyster Bay Railroad Station is an indispensable part of Long Island's history, and has shaped Long Island as we know it today. The station was constructed in 1889, by the Long Island Railroad (LIRR), and served as a link to the world outside of Long Island. It connected Long Island's residents to New York City and other American destinations. Skilled railroaders risked their lives to ensure that Long Island's goods and people were being transported safely. One of its most famous commuters was Theodore Roosevelt who used the Oyster Bay Railroad Station when he was the Governor of New York, Vice-President and President of the United States. Roosevelt regularly traveled to and from his home in Sagamore Hill to New York City and Washington D.C through the Oyster Bay Train Station. Dignitaries and politicians began and ended their trips to Sagamore Hill from the railroad station. In 2004, the station was recognized as a New York State Landmark. It is clear that this historic railroad station is essential to the region, as it has truly allowed Long Island and its residents to prosper.
Currently, the condition of the station has been described as in a state of advanced deterioration. Previous alterations that had been carried out on the station in the past have evidently left the building in substandard form. The local organization currently managing the structure, the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum, has put forward an ambitious plan to restore the station's exterior and interior to more closely match the station's original appearance. Once fully developed, a museum is envisioned to serve as the focal point for visitors and tourists. In fact, the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum plans to convert the railroad station into a new visitor's center that could draw approximately 40,000 tourists and visitors each year. The museum will encourage visitors to patronize the downtown area, as well as other tourist attractions in the area including the Theodore Roosevelt Bird Sanctuary, the Sagamore National Historic Site,the Waterfront Center, Earle Wrightman House, Raynham Hall Museum, and Planting Fields Arboretum. The proposed plan will include a "Touring Trolley," which will allow transportation to these attractions. The museum will connect the waterfront to the downtown and enhance Audrey Avenue by providing access to Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park and the waterfront. The museum will help achieve the goal of transforming the Hamlet into a historic destination and overall, will be an asset to the Long Island community.
Considering its connection to President Roosevelt and its proximity to Sagamore Hill, a National Park site, it makes imminent sense for the Service to take an aggressive leadership role in the preservation of the station. In consultations with the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum, it appears the Railroad Station could possibly fit into three criteria: National Historic Site, National Recreation Area, and Affiliated Areas. The Historic Site and Affiliated Areas would tie into the "TR" theme associated with Sagamore Hill, which is only 2.5 miles away from the Station and T.R. Park. With the station abutting Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park, Oyster Bay harbor and the Waterfront Center with its historical activities, these attractions all tie into this unit's recreational component. I urge that your evaluation take these considerations into account and outline a plan suggesting possible federal funding grants or other resources.
It is crucial that we bring this historical landmark, which had assisted our 26th president and other prominent politicians of that time, to a condition befitting of its role in history. With your help, I am confident that we can achieve such a task which will restore this portion of our American history and bring it back to the days in which it stood in glory.