North Castle Landmarks Main Breezemont Day Camp Building
The Town of North Castle recently approved town landmark status for the main building at Breezemont Day Camp in Armonk to ensure the preservation of the more than century-old structure.
The town board also decided on Apr. 22 to accept the Landmark Preservation Committee’s recommendation to landmark the lawn between the two driveways in front of the former hotel at 62 Cox Ave. Landmarks Preservation Committee Chairwoman Susan Shimer said the town was required to landmark the spacious front lawn in order for the building to achieve that designation.
“The Landmark Preservation Committee proposes landmarking because of our interest in the house, and the structure is a reminder of our past and it’s vital that it be preserved,” Shimer told the board.
Records for the house date as far back as 1867. From the late 19th century through the early 20th century the site was a bungalow colony with the building used as a hotel, according to the Breezemont Day Camp website. The entire parcel, which is 15 acres, has been used as a camp since 1936.
Shimer, who displayed an image of the building from 1911 at the last town board meeting, said the 50-room hotel was a summer getaway primarily for people from New York City. It was renovated in 1919-20 and has looked as it appears today for the past 95 years, she said.
By becoming a town landmark, it will ensure that the building’s exterior as well as the lawn will have its current appearance preserved in perpetuity, Shimer said. Only interior work may be done to the former hotel.
Breezemont Day Camp owner Gordon Josey, who also owns a camp in West Virginia that contains an old schoolhouse, which was landmarked by authorities there, said it made sense for the town to hold onto a piece of its history.
“We’re happy to do this,” Josey said. “We want to preserve the building.”
Supervisor Michael Schiliro said the main house is a beautiful structure but many local residents may not notice as they drive by on Cox Avenue.
“You really need to slow down and appreciate the beauty of that building because you can just drive around that corner and not even see it,” Schiliro said.”If you look at it, it’s a magnificent building.”
Answering questions from a neighbor, Shimer said she can think of no disadvantage to having the building become a landmark unless there are residents who would like to see a modern structure built at the site.
The town board’s vote to landmark doesn’t require the building to be used by a camp. Any changes in use would have to be considered by future town administrations, Shimer said.
Now that it has been landmarked by the town, Shimer said she plans to apply for the same status with the state. If the state were to landmark, then the appropriate state agency would handle any attempt at federal landmarking.
Martin has more than 30 years experience covering local news in Westchester and Putnam counties, including a frequent focus on zoning and planning issues. He has been editor-in-chief of The Examiner since its inception in 2007. Read more from Martin’s editor-author bio here. Read Martin’s archived work here: https://www.theexaminernews.com/author/martin-wilbur2007/
