Historic Ebo Hill Mansion To Stand Once Again In Smithtown

SMITHTOWN, NY - It was nearly one year ago that the historic Ebo Hill mansion in Smtihtown was destroyed in a massive fire. But soon, it will feel like it was never gone.

Last March, Richard Albano purchased the 173-year-old abandoned home on Edgewood Avenue with the idea to restore it to its former glory.

Unfortunately, about few weeks later a devastating blaze brought the home tumbling to the ground.

Albano was upset as first, but he didn't let that stop him from keeping the history in Smithtown.

Following the fire, he began plans to start completely rebuilding the 9,000 square-foot mansion.

Almost one year later, construction is continuing and the home is taking shape.

Albano is using the floor plans, which can be found at the Smithtown library, to recreate the home as much as he can. He is also in contact with former residents of the home, including one who lived in the home over 50 years ago.

The small changes he is making include combining two kitchens into one large kitchen and turning 3 bedrooms into one master suite.

While the original house has 17 bedrooms, the new Ebo Hill mansion will now have 15.

Other than that, he places on building an exact replica of the house.

"To me it's still a part of history," Albano told Patch. "I still feel the same exact same way that I felt when I walked into the house originally."

Related:

• Owner Of Ebo Hill Mansion Begins Plans To Rebuild Historic Home
• Historic Ebo Hill Mansion Destroyed In Fire
• Man To Restore 173-Year-Old Ebo Hill Mansion

He expects construction to be completed sometime late summer or early fall.

He says many people both living in Smithtown and former residents who have moved out of state have been reaching out to show their support and ask questions on the progress.

"I'm very thankful for the support from the community, I'm new to the community and it feels really good to have people care so much and have your back and be so supportive," he said. "Smithtown residents are very lucky to have their neighbors because I see firsthand what a community should be like."

In addition to the residents, Albano has received support from local officials including the town supervisor and building department.

"I think people feel what I went through in wanting to do the right thing and when it burnt down they felt bad," he said. "I want to replicate the house that's still where my heart truly stand."

Unfortunately, not much was salvaged following the blaze. However, Albano managed to save the two items from the home that mean the most to him. Luckily, he had removed them before the fire to have them restored.

The first thing was the fireplace mantel. It was only one of two commissioned, with the other one located at the White House.

The second object was a framed needle point with the words "Nearer, My God, to Thee" sewed on.

According to Albano, this was the name of the song that the band played as the Titanic sank.

"As I was doing my research on the Smith family, I came across news article saying that one of the Smith family members was on the Titanic and was credited for saving many lives before drowning himself," he said.

Want a sneak peek before construction is complete? Richard Albano recently gave Patch a tour of the space. Check out the full video below: