Oct. 25, 2023
Friends and Neighbors,
I'm writing to let you know that the Ward House, an important historical landmark in our community, is once again in danger of being demolished, and to ask for your help to save it. This building at 230 White Plains Road, stands testament to the colonial, revolutionary and founding periods of the area that is now Tuckahoe, Eastchester and Bronxville.
The developer/owner, Biggest Fish Westchester LLC bought the property from Concordia College while the building was under a moratorium preventing demolition on buildings deemed of historic significance within the Village.
Biggest Fish Westchester was denied its application to demolish in July 2023. The developer is yet again requesting permission to demolish, this time on the grounds of economic hardship, despite having received an offer from the Friends of the Ward House to purchase the building and grounds.
If you believe as I do that this historic building should be saved for future generations, please take action. First sign my petition:
Ward house petition 10/2023and, if possible, attend the Historic Preservation Commission hearing with me on October 25 at 6:30PM at Tuckahoe Village Hall. My goal is to show the members of the commission that our community cares about the fate of this important building! Our local history must not be forgotten!
Sincerely,
Marian Schafer, Bronxville High School Senior
To learn more about the Ward House's important role in the American Revolution in Westchester click here.
To donate to the Friends of Ward House click here.
To read my previous letter to the community and petition, click here.
Editor's note: MyhometownBronxville does not fact-check statements in letters to the editor, and the opinions do not necessarily reflect the thinking of its staff. Its objective in publishing letters to the editor is to give air to diverse thoughts and opinions of individuals in the community.
Bronxville is a quaint village (one square mile) located just 16 miles north of midtown Manhattan (roughly 30 minutes on the train) and has a population of approximately 6,500. It is known as a premier community with an excellent public school (K-12) and easy access to Manhattan. Bronxville offers many amenities including an attractive business district, a hospital (Lawrence Hospital), public paddle and tennis courts, fine dining at local restaurants, two private country clubs and a community library.
While the earliest settlers of Bronxville date back to the first half of the 18th century, the history of the modern suburb of Bronxville began in 1890 when William Van Duzer Lawrence purchased a farm and commissioned the architect, William A. Bates, to design a planned community of houses for well-known artists and professionals that became a thriving art colony. This community, now called Lawrence Park, is listed on the National register of Historic Places and many of the homes still have artists’ studios. A neighborhood association within Lawrence Park called “The Hilltop Association” keeps this heritage alive with art shows and other events for neighbors.
Bronxville offers many charming neighborhoods as well as a variety of living options for residents including single family homes, town houses, cooperatives and condominiums. One of the chief benefits of living in “the village” is that your children can attend the Bronxville School.
The Bronxville postal zone (10708, known as “Bronxville PO”) includes the village of Bronxville as well as the Chester Heights section of Eastchester, parts of Tuckahoe and the Lawrence Park West, Cedar Knolls, Armour Villa and Longvale sections of Yonkers. Many of these areas have their own distinct character. For instance, the Armour Villa section has many historic homes and even has its own newsletter called “The Villa Voice” which reports on neighborhood news.
Village of Bronxville Administrative Offices
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