Are there skeletons in your closet, treasure in your attic—or is your home simply rich in history?
One way to find out is a survey of 992 historic structures throughout Southampton Town that is now available online. Completed last year, the report is organized by hamlet and talks briefly about each community’s history, as well as identifying potential landmarks and historic districts, and includes photographs and maps.
“As one of the earliest settled towns in North America, with a rich cultural and architectural history unlike that of any other part of the state or region, the Town of Southampton possesses a unique and irreplaceable built heritage worthy of careful study and management,” says the introduction of the Southampton Historic Resources Survey, which can be found on the town’s website.
Currently there are 22 town-designated landmarks in Southampton, the most recent addition being the Dunbar House in Flanders.
One of the perks of having one’s home deemed historic is that the town offers grant money to maintain historic landmarks. Approximately $20,000 may be awarded annually to owners of designated town landmarks who qualify for the town’s STAR or Enhanced STAR programs.
Applications are available on the town’s website—and the deadline is soon, November 1.
Once designated, a structure also becomes eligible for a tax abatement program, as well as a preservation easement acquisition, and, in some cases, a legal guest house.
Approximately 2,000 historic structures survive in the township, but many are threatened by neglect or deferred maintenance due to financial constraints.
Those interested in pursuing local landmark designation for a historic structure can contact Sally Spanburgh, chair of the Landmarks & Historic Districts Board, at sspanburgh@southamptontownny.gov.
on Oct 12, 2015