Save The Ward House
Protect History
Now a designated landmark. Without your support, the Ward House remains in danger. Help us to secure and restore the Ward House, creating living history for future generations! Please support our mission by making a one-time donation or becoming a member of Friends of the Ward House. All donations are tax deductible.
Save the Dates for these important events concerning the Ward House
Community Call to Action!
Join community leaders in an interactive meeting:
Tuesday, April 30, 2024, 6-7:45 pm
Tuckahoe Community Center
71 Columbus Avenue
Public Hearing
to consider the appeals of the Certificate of Hardship and Certificate of Appropriateness decisions for 230 White Plains Road: the Ward House
Monday, May 6th @ 7 pm
Tuckahoe Village Board Meeting
Tuckahoe Village Hall
65 Main Street, Tuckahoe
The Tuckahoe Village Board will open a public hearing to consider the appeals by Biggest Fish Westchester to demolish the Ward House, which was previously denied by the Historic Preservation Commission. Please make every effort to attend the meeting in support of saving this iconic landmark.
Samuel Crawford Commemoration
Saturday, March 16th @ 11 am
Thanks to all who were able to attend the commemoration honoring
Captain Samuel Crawford.
Click below to see the full ceremony.
247th Anniversary of the Death of Samuel Crawford
Saturday, March 16th @ 11 am
Join the Friends of the Ward House, Inc. to commemorate the 247th anniversary of the heroic acts of Revolutionary War Hero, Captain Samuel Crawford, in a wreath-laying ceremony by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2285.
We will pay tribute to one Westchester County’s most prominent soldier to lose his life in the struggle for independence, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2285 will lay a wreath in his honor.
The ceremony and remembrance will take place at the Crawford Monument on White Plains Road at the intersection of Winter Hill Road. The Crawford Monument sits across the street from the historic Ward House site at 230 White Plains Road, Tuckahoe, New York.
Spectators may park on Winter Hill Road, or on the side streets and observe the ceremony from the southwest corner of the Immaculate Conception Church property at the corner of Winter Hill Road and Route 22.
If you are unable to join us for this live event, it will be recorded for future broadcast.
The Captain Samuel Crawford Monument
March with
The Friends of The Ward House
Eastchester St. Patrick's Day Parade
Sunday, March 10th @ 3 PM
We will be marching with the Eastchester Historical Society so look for our banners and George Washington!
The parade steps off from the Immaculate Conception Church parking lot and concludes at Lake Isle Country Club. Parking is limited . You may park at Lake Isle and be bused to ICC from 1:45-2:45 pm. Need a Ward House t-shirt for the march? Questions?
Email us: wardhousefriends@gmail.com
Hardship Denied
Tonight the Tuckahoe Historic Preservation Commission voted against the application for economic hardship. Thanks to all of our supporters that packed the room and have contributed in so many different ways.
Stay tuned....
Please make every effort to attend the meeting in support of saving this iconic landmark.
Save the Date
Wednesday, February 28th @ 6:30 pm
Tuckahoe Historic Preservation Commission
Village Hall
65 Main Street, Tuckahoe
Join us at the next HPC meeting on Wednesday, February 28th @ 6:30, where the Commission is expected to vote on the economic hardship application of developer Biggest Fish LLC.
We want to thank everyone for a great turnout last night, and for the sincere and thoughtful rebuttals against economic hardship. You can view the entire meeting here .
The Historic Preservation Commission has closed the public hearing, but is accepting written comments from the public until Thursday, January 18th at 5 pm. The commission will render a decision within 62 days.
Please review the video and submit comments to the commission in the following manner.
Written public comments can be addressed to the Tuckahoe Historic Preservation Commission at 65 Main Street, Tuckahoe, NY. 10707. Comments may also be submitted by email to Village Administrator, David Burke, DBurke@tuckahoe-ny.com
We appreciate and need your continued support as we pursue the ultimate goal of acquiring the Ward House. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us if you have questions.
The Friends of the Ward House
JANUARY 3RD RECAP
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING
THE TUCKAHOE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED FOR
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3RD @ 6:30 PM
TUCKAHOE VILLAGE HALL
65 MAIN STREET
Please make every effort to join us for the Public Hearing refuting the economic hardship application by the developer.
Thank you to Michael Grillo for this poignant picture of Stephen Ward’s grave on the 226th anniversary of his death, December 8th, 1797, where he is buried at St. Paul’s Church National Historic Site in Mount Vernon. To learn more about Stephen Ward history and St. Paul’s Church, check out their website https://www.nps.gov/sapa/index.htm.
Save the Ward House
Protect History!
It was 110 years ago on November 22,1913, the Daughters of the American Revolution erected a monument marking the deadly attack on Captain Samuel Crawford and Patriot militia, who were killed in a skirmish with the British at the Ward House in 1777. This officially recognized the Ward House and site as sacred, historic ground.
How you can help:
REMEMBER THE WARD HOUSE ON GIVING TUESDAY
Your donation will aid us in our mission to preserve, maintain, and promote this historic landmark, creating living history for future generations. Become a Friend at the $50 level and receive a free Save-the-Ward House t-shirt. We appreciate your support!
Donate online at https://www.wardhousefriends.org/donate-join
OR SEND YOUR CHECK TO:
Friends of the Ward House, Inc., PO Box 62, Tuckahoe, NY 10707
The Friends of the Ward House is incorporated in the State of New York and is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
Save the Date
Public Hearing continues to evaluate Biggest Fish Westchester, LLC's Certificate of Hardship Application in their desire to demolish the Ward House by virtue of economic hardship.
Wednesday, November 29th@ 6:30 pm
Tuckahoe Historic Preservation Commission
Village Hall
65 Main Street
Tuckahoe, NY
The public hearing remains open. The November 29th meeting requires that the owner of the Ward House provide the Historic Preservation Commission with more substantive documentation to evaluate an economic hardship, which they failed to do on October 25th.
If you missed it, you can view the entire October 25th meeting here;
view the meeting beginning with public comments here ;
and view the coverage from News12 here .
Please join us on November 29th and make your voice heard!
Written public comments can be addressed to the Tuckahoe Historic Preservation Commission at 65 Main Street, Tuckahoe, NY. 10707. Comments may also be submitted by email to Village Administrator, David Burke, DBurke@tuckahoe-ny.com
Please do not hesitate to reach out to us if you have questions: wardhousefriends@gmail.com
The public hearing will remain open until the next HPC meeting in November, date TBD. Written public comments can be addressed to the Tuckahoe Historic Preservation Commission at 65 Main Street, Tuckahoe, NY. 10707. Comments may also be submitted by email to Village Administrator, David Burke, DBurke@tuckahoe-ny.com
We had an outstanding turnout for last night's public hearing on the Ward House with broad representation from our community. We want to thank Bronxville High School Senior Marian Schafer for collecting almost 300 names for her petition, which was submitted to the commission last evening.
It was abundantly clear that the owner of the Ward House will need to provide more substantive documentation for the Historic Preservation Commission to evaluate economic hardship.
You can view the entire meeting here ;
view the meeting beginning with public comments here ;
and view the coverage from News12 here .
We appreciate and need your continued support as we pursue the ultimate goal of acquiring the Ward House.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to us if you have questions.
The Friends of the Ward House
OCTOBER 25TH RECAP
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING
Ward House 2002
Despite the demand by the HPC that the owner maintain the property, nothing has been done and the house is deliberately neglected as seen below in recent photos. If history is important to you, please attend the October 25th meeting at 6:30 pm to oppose this threat to the Ward House and make your voices heard to save this historic house! Written public comments can be addressed to the Tuckahoe Historic Preservation Commission at 65 Main Street, Tuckahoe, NY. 10707 and must be received no later than 5:00 pm on Oct 25th.
Save the Date
Wednesday, October 25th@ 6:30 pm
Tuckahoe Historic Preservation Commission
Village Hall
65 Main Street
Tuckahoe, NY
Public Hearing opens to debate Biggest Fish Westchester, LLC's Certificate of Hardship Application, yet again requesting demolition of the Ward House by virtue of economic hardship.
The current owner of the Ward House, (Biggest Fish Westchester, LLC) is relentless in his desire to tear down the historic Ward House. On Wednesday, October 25th, 2023, at 6:30 pm, the Tuckahoe Historic Preservation Commission will hold a public hearing on Biggest Fish's latest claim under the Tuckahoe preservation law that its landmark status is causing economic hardship. The Friends of the Ward House recently made an offer to purchase the house and site. The offer was rejected.
If the commission agrees with the economic hardship argument, the Ward House will face destruction. Please make every effort to join us by attending the Wednesday, October 25th hearing at the Tuckahoe Village Hall and help us Save the Ward House from the Wrecking Ball.
Please join us on October 25th and make your voice heard!
Demolition Denied
We are pleased to report that the Tuckahoe Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously, 5-0, to deny demolition of The Ward House at the HPC Meeting, Thursday, July 20th at 6:30 pm.
Click here for a clip from News 12.
This is an extremely promising development toward our mission of protecting and preserving the Ward House for future generations. We thank the Historic Preservation Commission and the Tuckahoe Mayor and Board of Trustees for passing the landmark law and recognizing the Ward House as Tuckahoe's first historic landmark.
We Friends of the Ward House Board members are grateful for your continued support, and we will keep you posted on any new developments.
Sal Provenzano, President
Elizabeth Leckie, Vice-President
Richard Forliano, Vice-President, Historical Education
Dr. Edward Powers, Treasurer
Lois Macri, Secretary
Elaine Provenzano, Communications
On this day in history, 247 years ago, Captain Samuel Crawford was one of the first to hear the Declaration of Independence read on the steps of the White Plains Court House. Eight months later, he would be mortally wounded on the Ward House grounds. Let us not forget the great sacrifices of these first leaders of liberty and ensure this history is preserved for future generations.
We can picture to ourselves the scene which was enacted on the mid-summer morning of Thursday, July 11, 1776, when the assembled inhabitants of Westchester County heard read from the steps of their court house the Declaration of Independence. We can imagine the leaders of the legislative body newly christened “The Convention of the Representatives of the State of New York”, this title having been adopted in due form on the preceding day, gathered on the steps of the first courthouse. In their ranks are many of Westchester's most revered sons, Pierre Van Cortlandt, John Jay,Lewis Morris, Gouveneur Morris, Captain Samuel Crawford, Ebenezer Lockwood, and Jonathan G. Tompkins. The declaration is being read by Gen. John Thomas of Rye. At his side is the official drummer boy and near him proudly waving the battle flag of White Plains is the color bearer of the local company of minute men.
Compliments of The Westchester County Historical Society
Happy Birthday America! On July 4th, we witnessed a moving tribute to our country's founding in the reading of The Declaration of Independence at St. Paul's Church National Historic Site in Mt. Vernon, NY. John P. Banning Jr., gave his 50th recitation of the Declaration in its entirety, following in the tradition of his father and grandfather. As Banning read the names of the signers of the Declaration, the St. Paul's Freedom Bell rang out 13 times to salute the original 13 states that broke free from the Crown that day. Stephen Ward and his family were prominent members of St. Paul's and are buried in the churchyard. Today was a reminder of the historical connection of the Ward Family with the cause for freedom. Please continue to help #savethewardhouse.
Reminder: Ward House Public Comments Accepted Through 6/14/2023
This is a reminder to those who would wish to comment on the Developer's Certificate of Appropriateness to demolish The Ward House. Although the public hearing is now closed, the Tuckahoe Historic Preservation Commission will accept public comments through Wednesday, June 14th.
Comments may be submitted by email to Village Administrator, David Burke, DBurke@tuckahoe-ny.com or sent to The Tuckahoe Village Hall, 65 Main Street, Tuckahoe, NY, 10707. All comments will be forwarded to the Tuckahoe Historic Preservation Commission. If you need further information, please do not hesitate to contact us at wardhousefriends@gmail.com. We appreciate your support as we work to save The Ward House.
Friends of the Ward House Board
Watch historic architect Stephen Tilly's expert testimony regarding the ACTUAL condition of the Ward House along with pertinent comments from the public.
Call to Action
Wednesday, May 24th
@ 6:30 pm, Village Hall
Tuckahoe Historic Preservation Commission
Public Hearing opens for public commentary on Biggest Fish Westchester, LLC's Certificate of Appropriateness Application requesting demolition of the Ward House.
This is posted on a tree in front of the Ward House. If history is important to you, please attend the May 24th meeting at 6:30 pm to oppose the demolition of the Ward House and make your voices heard to save this historic house! Written public comments can be addressed to the Tuckahoe Historic Preservation Commission at 65 Main Street, Tuckahoe, NY. 10707 and must be received no later than 5:00 pm on May 24th.
Near or far you can make a difference--join us!
Friends of the Ward House
Community Meeting
Thursday, May 4th at 7 pm at the Immaculate Conception Church Parish Center Join the Friends of the Ward House, Inc. for a discussion about the legal and other imminent dangers facing the Ward House. Space is limited, please rsvp to attend in person wardhousefriends@gmail.com
or click here to receive a zoom link:
Why The Ward House Matters
This brief video highlights the importance of saving The Ward House to protect our history.
At the top of a hill, where two prominent roads dating back to colonial times intersect, sits one of Westchester’s most important historic sites. The Ward House is in Tuckahoe on 230 White Plains Road, where Bronxville, Eastchester, and Tuckahoe meet. It is one of fewer than a dozen early farmhouses on the Post Road between Mount Vernon and White Plains which have survived to teach us about our local past. The Ward House was burnt by the British in 1778 and rebuilt in the 1790s.
We must not let it be destroyed again.
The Friends of the Ward House is raising funds to save The Ward House.
Your donation will help save The Ward House from destruction.
Please support us in our mission by making a one-time donation or by becoming a member of the Friends of the Ward House. The Friends of the Ward House is a New York State non-profit organization and has full IRS 501(c)(3) status. All donations are tax deductible.
Please view our timeline to learn more about Ward House history. Together we can ensure that the Ward House remains in the same place it has been standing, witnessing history and sharing with us the related lessons, for almost 280 years.
The mission of the Friends of the Ward House is to serve as a charitable organization to conduct activities to preserve, maintain, and generally promote for the public good the historical integrity of the Ward House and its associated grounds and advance education related to same.
Legacy of Stephen Ward
In 1797, at age 68, Stephen Ward died a wealthy and respected man.
He was elected to the position of Eastchester Town Supervisor six more times, including four consecutive terms.
He was elected as a state senator, a state judge, and in 1797 to the United States House of Representatives.
On his gravestone at Saint Paul’s Church, Ward is
memorialized on a marble stone, with the following inscription:
Sons of America
Mourn for your country, she has lost a friend
Who did her rights and liberties defend.
May rising patriots keep those rights secure,
And hand them down to latest ages pure.
Mourn too, ye friends and relatives who knew
His worth , his kindness, and his love to you.
But duty bids us all resign, and say,
Thy will be done who gave and took away.[i]
[i] David Osborn Stephen Ward: A Local Revolutionary Leader Who Guided the Town’s Transition from Colonial Times to the Early Republic www.nps/sapa
Best Kept Secret
Few, if any, structures in Westchester preserve the story of the creation of our nation as does the Ward House. Its history recalls the armed conflict, civilian suffering, and political divisions in the County during the American Revolution. Samuel Crawford, Westchester’s most important patriot leader to die in the service of our country, was mortally wounded in a skirmish here.
Click here to view the March 16th, 2022 tribute, marking the 245th anniversary of the death of Captain Samuel Crawford.
Contact us
Phone: 917-650-5547
Friends of the Ward House, Inc. P.O.B. 62
Tuckahoe, NY 10707
Have a question about the Ward House? You may reach us by email, phone, or mail.