Lamotte Cohu House Named to
Seven to Save List
Preservation League continues listing most endangered places

CONTACTS

Preservation League of New York State Colleen M. Ryan 518-462-5658 x17

Society for the Preservation of Long Island Antiquities Robert B. MacKay 631-692-4664

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ALBANY, February 1, 2007 – The Preservation League of New York State has named the Lamotte Cohu Residence, Gissa Bu, in Southampton, Suffolk County to the nonprofit group’s annual list of the Empire State’s most threatened historic resources, Seven to Save.

Gissa Bu (Mystery House) was built in a Nordic/Arts and Crafts style for airline executive Lamotte Cohu in 1930. In addition to this remarkable building designed by Norwegian architect Thorbjorn Bassoe, the property is also valuable for its resources related to the area’s maritime industry and the Shinnecock Nation.

While the Town of Southampton has purchased portions of the 13-acre property with Community Preservation Funds, the lot containing the house is still privately owned and its future is uncertain. For the past two years the Preservation League has promoted statewide legislation that would allow communities in New York State to create similar preservation funds that could be used to preserve important landscapes and the historic buildings they contain.

“On Long Island, and in many other areas subject to development pressure, these community preservation funds can do much to protect the important historic resources in a community,” said Jay DiLorenzo, President of the Preservation League. “We want people to realize that Gissa Bu has statewide importance, and urge the community and its owner to work together to protect it.”

“We were pleased to be able to nominate Gissa Bu for the Seven to Save list,” noted Robert B. MacKay, Director of the Society for the Preservation of Long Island Antiquities. “It’s an outstanding example of country house architecture.”

According to Tania Werbizky, Director of Technical and Grant Programs at the Preservation League, the listing of Gissa Bu on the Seven to Save Endangered Properties list provides the opportunity for the League to work with strong local advocates to protect the building. “We plan to partner with our Preservation Colleagues, the Society for the Preservation of Long Island Antiquities, during this next year and to reach out to the owner and elected officials to try to reach a solution. A property of this caliber should be protected in perpetuity, and the League stands ready to work with the Town of Southampton to make that possible. This remarkable property deserves no less.”

 “In addition to the pleasure of owning such a distinctive property, we are aware of the challenges associated with the preservation of historic structures,” said DiLorenzo. “With that in mind, the League has offered technical assistance to help current and future owners explore all available options for protecting and maintaining this unique property. Working with local advocates, we pledge our support so that this National Register-eligible property can again become useful, beautiful and a point of pride in Southampton and in New York State.”

Since 1999, publicity surrounding the Seven to Save designation has led to the stabilization of St. Joseph’s Church in Albany, the rehabilitation of the Oswego City Public Library, and prevented the demolition of the Conger Goodyear House on Long Island, along with successes at several other locations.

The Dana L. Lyon School in the Village of Bath, Steuben County, and the Stockade Historic District in Kingston, Ulster County, were previously named to this year’s Seven to Save list. Additional announcements will be made around the state in coming weeks.

The Preservation League of New York State, founded in 1974, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the protection of New York’s diverse and rich heritage of historic buildings, districts and landscapes. From its headquarters in Albany, it provides a unified voice for historic preservation. By leading a statewide movement and sharing information and expertise, the Preservation League of New York State promotes historic preservation as a tool to revitalize the Empire State’s neighborhoods and communities.

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