The Town of Hempstead Landmarks Commission will hold a public hearing on the proposed landmarking of the Stevens Home on Tuesday, Jan. 31.
Members of the community will be able to voice their opinions on the matter.
Resident Christine Keller presented her case to the Hempstead Town Landmarks Commission on why the Stevens Home should be recognized as a landmark in February 2011.
"I am hopeful for a positive outcome," Keller said. "This house has such a rich history to the Bellmores."
The home, located at 2396 Bellmore Ave., was built by Charles Stevens, a local bayman, in 1923. Construction of the foundation of the home began as early as 1917.
Keller, a Bellmore resident of 23 years, is a member of the Historical Society of the Bellmores and of the Bellmore Preservation Group. She, along with her friend Theresa Greene, purchased a number of items from the Stevens Home in order to preserve some of the history.
"Theresa purchased some family photo albums and after we saw them we knew we had to look into it further," Keller said.
Keller has the work diaries of Stan Stevens, son of Charles Stevens, report cards of Stan Stevens' daughter, Joan, from when she attended the Winthrop Avenue School and Mepham High School and other miscellaneous items.
After researching and investigating the history of the home, Keller and Greene decided to apply for landmark designation. They connected with a friend of the Stevens family and Long Island Traditions, an organization that documents local architecture.
Nancy Solomon, folklorist and executive director of Long Island Traditions, performed an architectural survey of the Stevens Home and found that the original design and features were well preserved and are still clearly visible.
According to Solomon's survey, "The house contains its original integrated front porch with columns and shingled apron. There are many original features including its two-paned casement window shed dormers, exposed roof rafters, and side bay windows. All windows have their original wooden shutters with heart pendant cutouts."
Keller said the structure meets all the requirements to be landmarked.
"It's the history of the home, the architectural significance and the beauty and character of it," she said.
The public hearing will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 31 at Hemsptead Town Hall at One Washington St. in Hempstead at 4:30 p.m.
