Merestead update from Legislator Covill.

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

This week, I hosted a final tour of Merestead’s Mansion before it is closed for much needed exterior and roof repairs. 

After the tour I was joined by County Executive George Latimer, and leaders from the Westchester County Parks Department for a discussion of efforts the County has undertaken which will shift a large part of the burden of this work off the shoulders of Westchester taxpayers.

For a video of my comments, click the following link: vimeo.com/user38417258

A recent proceeding filed in Westchester Supreme Court will allow a fund created by the original donor to help cover the costs of repairs and loosen deed restrictions that today keep the County from using the 130-acre property in the way we use other parks. In addition, the proceeding will allow us to sell a select few works of art from the Merestead collection to finance restoration of the house. These efforts are consistent with the intentions behind the gift of this wonderful property to the people of Westchester and will help the County to make Merestead the kind of park its donor intended it to be.

For CBS News Coverage, click here.

Merestead, a Westchester County Park, is located in the Town of Bedford and Village of Mount Kisco. It comprises a neo-Georgian country mansion, designed by Delano and Aldrich and built in 1907, and twelve additional outer buildings, including an historic farmhouse (1850), carriage house and barn, all on a 130 acre property with woodlands and rolling fields, tucked in the hills overlooking the surrounding valley. It is on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Merestead property is the former estate of Mrs. Margaret Sloane Patterson, daughter of William Douglas Sloane, a President of the furniture company W and J Sloane, and her husband Dr. Robert Lee Patterson Jr., a prominent orthopedic surgeon in New York City. Merestead features a 28-room Georgian mansion with gardens designed by Salter and Sanger in the early 20th century. The mansion has an art collection and library. The mansion will soon be closed for major work.

I look forward to seeing Merestead restored to its former glory and returned to full use for Westchester residents in the next few years.

Sincerely,