PHOTO
CREDITS: (1) AIA ARCHITECTURAL GUIDETO NASSAU
AND SUFFOLK COUNTIES, LONG ISLAND, DOVER PUBLICATIONS,
INC, NEW YORK 1992 (2), (4): CHARLA BOLTON (3),
(5), (6): EDWARD DURELL STONE, THE EVOLUTION
OF AN ARCHITECT, HORIZON PRESS, NEW YORK 1962
A. CONGER GOODYEAR HOUSE, OLD WESTBURY
The A. Conger Goodyear House on
Wheatley Road in Old Westbury was designed by
architect Edward Durell Stone (1902-1978) in
the spirit of European Modernism. Stone was
a renowned Modernist architect, internationally
known, who designed some of the most important
buildings of his time (the Museum of Modern
Art, 1937, the American Embassy in New Delhi
India, 1954, the Kennedy Center for the Performing
Arts, 1963, the Huntington Hartford Museum,
1964). A. Conger Goodyear, for whom the house
was built, was one of the most important founders
of New York’s Museum of Modern Art. He
knew many of the top artists and was not only
a collector but also helped MOMA put together
one of the world’s best modern art collections.
Conger’s own important collection of modern
art, now much of it in the Museum of Modern
Art, hung in the large central gallery space
Stone created in the house.
When he died he donated the house
to the New York Institute of Technology for
use as the President’s house. The house
is now owned by the Wheatley Construction Company
which has subdivided and developed the surrounding
property. The Village of Old Westbury elected
not to designate the structure a village landmark,
and recently issued a demolition permit. SPLIA’s
researcher, Caroline Zaleski, was able to get
the property listed on the Preservation League
of New York State’s Seven to Save list,
as well as the World Monuments Watch, firsts
for a Long Island landmark. SPLIA’s advocacy
also generated widespread press coverage. The
World Monuments Fund sought and received a stay
of demolition from Judge Robert Roberto, New
York Supreme Court, to buy time to find a suitable
purchaser. SPLIA will take title pending a purchase.
The contract has been signed and closing is
anticipated on December 3, 2001. Views seen
here are: (1) 1938 view, (2) current view, (3)
original site plan (4) current view, entrance
courtyard (5) dining room (6) gallery. |
