Fundraiser Seeks to Preserve Nyack’s Historic John Green House
NYACK, N.Y. (Oct. 12, 2018) – Ellis Sotheby’s International Realty today announced a fundraiser to preserve the historic John Green House, one of Nyack’s oldest houses and one of the last in the Hudson Valley to represent original Dutch-style architecture. With roots dating back to the early 1800s, the home is listed on the New York State and National registers of historic places.
Rendering of Restored John Green House in Nyack
The event, sponsored by Nyack-based Ellis Sotheby’s International Realty, will be held Oct. 20 and 21 at another important home ingrained in the history and development of Nyack, the Bennett-Deyrup House at 309 N. Broadway in Upper Nyack, where the Johnson/Deyrup family lived for almost 100 years. Its patriarch, Alvin Johnson, was one of the co-founders of the New School for Social Research in New York City and the University in Exile program that saved 3,000 German-Jewish professors from the Nazis during the 1930s.
Two of Johnson’s daughters were artists, Astrith and Dorothy Deyrup. The fundraiser will sell original artwork by Astrith Deyrup, priced from $80 to $500, thanks to the generosity of a John Green House supporter who donated about 60 of her paintings. Proceeds will go to John Green Preservation Coalition, which needs $300,000 to $500,000 to preserve the home.
John Green was a businessman and a founding member of the community and Nyack Steamboat Association. He oversaw the construction of the Nyack Turnpike, which later became Route 59. Manufactured goods and farm produce were transported across Rockland County and shipped downstream to New York City using the road he built and the boats he funded, including the Orange, Nyack’s first steamboat.
“John Green revolutionized Rockland County’s economy, and his former home, dating back to the early 1800s, is historically significant and worthy of preservation,” said Richard Ellis, owner of Ellis Sotheby’s International Realty. “As the oldest sandstone house in Nyack, the structure’s architecture is unique to this part of the country and is the last surviving example in Nyack of the design and construction employed by the early settlers of the area, who were of Dutch ancestry. John Green successfully accomplished his dream to make Nyack the commercial hub of Rockland County, and it remained so for 100 years. Having served the Hudson Valley community for more than 33 years, we are committed to doing our part to restore this local landmark.”
The Paganos family, current owners of the Bennett-Deyrup House, also has a collection of Dorothy Deyrup’s paintings in their home. The fundraiser will be the first time since 1918 that sisters’ Dorothy and Astrith’s paintings will be displayed together.
“John Green, Alvin Johnson and sisters Astrith and Dorothy Deyrup are all important figures in the development of Nyack, and they will be reunited in spirit on Oct. 20 and 21,” said Ellis. “Astrith’s love of nature and the Hudson River clearly demonstrates both her talent and connection to the Lower Hudson Valley. Now you can own a part of her passion and love, for a nominal price.”
John Green House Under Restoration
The first floor of the Bennett-Deyrup House will be open for viewing during the fundraiser on Oct. 20, from 11 to 4 p.m.. On Oct. 21, the fundraiser will be held in the rear yard and lower level from 11 to 3 p.m. Refreshments and light snacks will be served.
The Bennett-Deyrup House is currently listed for sale by Ellis Sotheby’s International Realty for $5.2 million. Please contact Richard Ellis with inquiries at 914-393-0438.
The John Green Preservation Coalition acquired the house in severely dilapidated condition. With donations of in-kind labor and materials, contributions from individual donors and foundations, a grant from the Preservation League of New York and a grant from the Community Benefit Program of the New York Bridge, the coalition stabilized the building and installed a new cedar shingle roof. The next pressing challenge is to repair the venerable stone walls, substantial parts of which must be rebuilt using the original stones and matching new stones as required. Donations can also be sent to: John Green Preservation Coalition, P.O. Box 378, Nyack NY 10960.
About Ellis Sotheby’s International Realty
Ellis Sotheby’s International Realty is a leading luxury real estate broker located in the Hudson Valley village of Nyack, approximately 22 miles from New York City at 76 N. Broadway. The firm lists and sells extraordinary properties in New York’s Rockland and Orange counties, specializing in the lower Hudson Valley, from Upper Nyack through Snedens Landing to Tuxedo Park. The firm sells the area’s most extraordinary real estate, from fine country estates, waterfront homes, historic properties, farm houses and contemporaries to Victorians, Greek Revivals and log cabins. Ellis Sotheby’s International Realty associates have extensive knowledge of the lower Hudson Valley, including Nyack, Piermont, Grandview, Palisades, Snedens Landing, New City, Tuxedo Park, Warwick, Goshen, Cornwall, Greenwood Lake, Pierson Lakes, Suffern, West Nyack, Blauvelt and Tappan.
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