Efforts continue to save the DeLancey House in Mamaroneck.
The last large home from the Revolutionary era, which was built in 1792 on the top of Heathcote Hill, was moved to its current location on Boston Post Road over 100 years ago, according to Carol Akin, chairwoman of the DeLancey-Cooper Fundraising Committee of the Mamaroneck Historical Society.
The house was where Susan DeLancey married American author James Fenimore Cooper in 1811. They lived in the house, among others in the area and in Cooperstown, on and off with the DeLancey family.
The home presently houses a restaurant, a restaurant supply business and several apartments.
Akin said the committee is working toward a DeLancey-Cooper Gala to be held at 5:30 p.m. October 3 at the Larchmont Shore Club.
It will include dinner, a silent auction, entertainment and a presentation on the history of the DeLancey house, the DeLancey family and James Fenimore Cooper.
Akin said there are two possibilities where the fate of the house, now owned by the Chmielecki family, is concerned.
The house could be moved to another location, which would cost about $350,000, or the house and land could be purchased, which would cost about $1 million.
"The owners want to sell, although it's not in imminent danger of being purchased," Akin said. "However, the moment a developer is interested and if the figure is right, the Chmieleckis will sell."
She said that may give the historical society a chance to save the house, so building major funds immediately is necessary.
For more information about the fundraising efforts, visit the historical society's Web site at http://mamaroneckhistory.homestead.com/Delancey.html
(Photo credit: Carol Akin in front of the historic DeLancey House in Mamaroneck. Credit: Courtesy.)
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