News

Teen makes 2nd plea for Helen Keller house

Ian Toy, the Southold teen on a mission to save the Helen Keller house at the county park at Cedar Beach, spoke again to county legislators Tuesday morning. The county, which acquired the house in the 1960s when it purchase the parkland, is expected to schedule it for demolition.

It was the second time that Ian, 13, had made a pitch to lawmakers to save the dilapidated Bavarian-style cottage built in the 1920s and, according to local historians, rented in the summer of 1936 by Ms. Keller and her teacher, Annie Sullivan.

He presented a report from local architect Michael Mendillo, who evaluated the house on May 15 and estimated that its restoration would cost $386,656.

“In order to prepare a more accurate assessment as to costs, the building should be gutted down to its framing and made secure so that a proper analysis can be made,” reads Mr. Mendillo’s report.

Though the Suffolk County Council on Environmental Quality has recommended the structure be demolished this summer, Ian said he is still hoping the county will pass a resolution proposed last month by County Legislator Ed Romaine to set aside $400,000 to begin restoration. That resolution was tabled earlier this month.

The legislature will revisit the proposal in August.

ERIN SCHULTZ