Sylvester Manor: Letter from Stephen A.W. Searl, Executive Director w/ Updates

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Dear Friends & Neighbors,

We’re looking forward to another amazing season of educational, cultural and farming activities here at Sylvester Manor. As a result of years of hard work, several capital projects are coming to fruition that will transform this nationally significant historic site from a private estate to a public-facing nonprofit open and accessible to all. The most important being the rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of the 1737 Manor House.

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We’ve spent many years assessing the property and its structures with the support of expert consultants. With their assistance, we are also redesigning the main entry, converting our 1840s Farmhouse into office space, and enhancing community access at Dering Harbor. Having obtained a special permit for our mixed uses from the Zoning Board of Appeals in October, we’re now engaged in site plan review with the Town Board for the proposed Manor House rehabilitation. While the pace is slower than anticipated, we’re confident the plan will only benefit from careful regulatory oversight.

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While we expect and welcome public input, we are dismayed that an individual is spreading disinformation about our activities and even worse, impersonating the organization. Unfortunately, this is part of a consistent pattern. The most recent example is false claims about our summer concerts. So what is true? We plan to host two Creekside Concerts this year, with The James Hunter Six on Saturday, August 8 and, in partnership with the Shelter Island Fire Department, Gene Casey and the Lone Sharks on Saturday, October 10. These family-friendly concerts, along with other programming — the Shakespeare performances and outdoor sculpture exhibits — align with our mission, are permitted by the Town, appropriately limited in scope, and open to the public. Please join us!

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We’re proud of our numerous contributions to the community. Since becoming a nonprofit in 2009, we’ve re-established farming in the Town Center, permanently protected nearly 130 acres from development, educated thousands of children and engaged international scholars in the study of a layered history that represents most important American milestone. Our economic impact also continues to grow: With an annual budget of nearly $2.5M, we employ 80 people in a community that’s recently seen businesses decline or, in some cases, disappear.

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We appreciate the support of all who have helped establish and nourish this incredible public resource.

We look forward to seeing you this summer!

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To learn more about Sylvester Manor and our programs please visit sylvestermanor.org or contact us at info@sylvestermanor.org.

Gratefully Yours,

Stephen A.W. Searl
Executive Director