Historic Homestead Porch Restored
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In April 2015 the Smithtown Historical Society began groundwork on an exciting buildings & grounds project made possible by a generous anonymous donor. After receiving some much need preservation work, the Judge John Lawrence Smith Homestead was ready for the restoration of its front porch. Once a beautiful gathering spot for the family, this architectural feature was lost over time as the structure underwent multiple renovations. Under the guidance of Mancini Architecture and the craftsmanship of Schoolhouse Remodeling, the physical reconstruction is complete and the house is back to its original glory! “To have this porch be completed, to have this building be completed, is such an achievement for the Smithtown Historical Society. With this new structure we are now able to tell another chapter of the story of the families that lived here,” said Executive Director Marianne Howard. “We are very grateful to our anonymous donor, Mancini Architecture and to School House Remodeling for helping to make this dream a reality.”
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Ribbon Cutting: (l-r): Architect Mark Mancini, School House Remodeling Owner & Contractor Matt Fleece, Executive Director Marianne Howard and Town Historian Brad Harris celebrate the completion of the Smithtown Historical Society’s Historic Judge John Lawrence Smith Homestead with a ribbon cutting and community barbecue.A ribbon cutting ceremony announcing the official opening of the porch was the centerpiece of the Smithtown Historical Society’s annual community summer barbecue. More than 100 community members gathered around the porch to celebrate its completion and to enjoy an all you can eat barbecue catered by Panico’s Community Market. Refreshing Italian ices were also served thanks to the generosity of Uncle Louie G’s of Smithtown. The barbecue was made possible through the sponsorship of Mancini Architecture, Neal and Janice Richman, People’s United Bank, School House Remodeling, Uncle Louie G’s of Smithtown, Dot and Peter Micciche, Carolyn and Jim Borella, and Fairway Market.
The barbecue was just the beginning! The porch will allow the historical society to use the historic house in many new ways for educational and social programming. Currently the society is working on developing special events to showcase the building’s recent addition. Ms. Howard is confident that the new porch will serve the community well, “It will be such an asset to us and the community for generations to come.”