Wainwright House 'Disappointed' By Neighbors' Legal Threats

RYE, NY — The volunteer board of trustee members who oversee the Wainwright House said they will "aggressively defend ourselves against this lawsuit and future lawsuits, as well as inaccurate and damaging comments being made about a volunteer board of individuals who work hard every day to drive and preserve Fonrose’s vision."

Statement provided by the Wainwright House Board of Trustees:

Wainwright House is a 70-year-old Rye 501(c)(3) institution founded by Fonrose Wainwright Condict dedicated, in her own words, as a space where community can gather to further and promote "religious, educational and charitable objects." The volunteer Board of Trustees works hard to continue Fonrose’s vision to share Wainwright House’s beautiful estate and waterfront space with communities of all faiths, creeds, and socio-economic levels.

On December 23, 2021, a lawsuit was filed against the City of Rye in which Wainwright House was named as an interested party by five residents who moved near Wainwright House long after it had been established on festive and vibrant Milton Point, in the same location as three busy beach clubs. The five neighbors state that the City’s renewal of the semi-permanent tent was in error. During these difficult times, the tent served as a community resource to the Rye City Schools, faith communities, local not-for-profits, and many individuals who sought community connection there. Weddings have always been a happy component of Wainwright House’s mission as sacred unions, and our benefactor Fonrose herself was married on the premises. A third of our annual operating revenue comes from these weddings.

Our goal has always been to have a harmonious existence with our neighbors, our community, the environment, and society in general. The volunteer Board of Trustees has rigorously followed all the operating requirements outlined by the City of Rye to ensure that our events are respectfully conducted in our tent.

We have had several meetings over the past year with our neighbors outlining our plan for the tent. We originally asked for a 5-year renewal but in good faith while in discussions with neighbors, we revised the request down to 3 years. The lawsuit was filed while these discussions were still in progress.

We are disappointed in the neighbors’ decision to commence litigation that hurts and imposes expense on Rye City and Wainwright House. We will aggressively defend ourselves against
this lawsuit and future lawsuits, as well as inaccurate and damaging comments being made about a volunteer Board of individuals who work hard every day to drive and preserve Fonrose’s vision.

This release was produced by the Wainwright House Board of Trustees. The views expressed here are the author's own.

SEE ALSO: Wainwright House Neighbors Vow Legal Fight Over Large Events