After Lent House Demolition, Orangetown Supervisor Wants Debate on Historic Preservation

Writing on Nyack News and Views today, Orangetown town Supervisor Andy Stewart called for a debate on a local historic preservation law that would balance the community’s heritage and private property rights.

“Orangetown lost a part of its history on Sat April 4 when the Abraham Lent House, which had stood on South Greenbush Road since 1752, was unexpectedly demolished by the owners of the property,” he wrote.

The move was unexpected because residents were raising the money to move it; a nearby property had been offered; and right before the demolition the owner and the developer had told town officials they supported the plan.

The property owners are Charlie and Tom Graff and the developer is RD Management LLC.

Stunned members of Save Lent House caught the end of the demolition on video.

“Our mission continues,” they wrote on their website. “Join us as we build The Abram Lent Project in honor of one of the great patriots, leader in the Continental Army, contributor to the American Revolution.”

According to Save Lent House:

Abram Lent House was built in the mid-18th century and was one of the oldest standing homes in Orangetown and Rockland County.

The house was a homestead for a large farm in colonial times. It was occupied as a home continuously from about 1750 until about 15 years ago, when the last resident died. It was then purchased and converted to commercial use, most recently as an office for a landscaping company.

Orangetown had issued a demolition permit because there was no legal basis for denying the request. It was not on any list or registry of historic buildings, which might have prevented or restricted the demolition.