Restoration Work Continues On Westhampton Beach Treasure

WESTHAMPTON BEACH, NY— With the help of giving hearts, restoration work is continuing on a piece of Westhampton Beach history.

The Westhampton Beach Historical Society announced another milestone recently toward completing the restoration of the Society’s Foster-Meeker Heritage Center on Mill Road in Westhampton Beach.

The 1735 house is the second oldest in the Village of Westhampton Beach and the work to clad the structure’s foundation was enabled by a grant provided by the Gerry Charitable Trust, the Historical Society said.

The home’s new foundation includes 4” thick New England Thinstones applied to the concrete block foundation surface so that it resembles dry-laid stone and maintains a historically accurate appearance.

Society President Jon Stanat reflected on the work: “We are most grateful to the Gerry Charitable Trust for its interest and generosity. The completion of the Foster-Meeker Heritage Center is key to expanding the Society’s overall capacity, and this project is a major step as it represents the final piece to the exterior renovation.”

Donations are still needed for the restoration project, the Society said.

Along with museum exhibits, tours, and interactive activities offered with experienced teachers and volunteers, the Society has organized summer “living history” events — such as a recent Civil War re-enactment on the Westhampton Beach Village Green — historic craft demonstrations, and a winter lecture series in partnership with the Westhampton Free Library.

"Together, these events and activities produce meaningful experiences that educate the public on our local heritage," the Historical Society said in a release.

Patch photo courtesy of Westhampton Beach Historical Society.