By:LAURA LANE
The Long Beach Historical and Preservation Society originally formed in 1980 and has grown to over 700 members, becoming one of the more active organizations in the community. Some members, though, feel they are still invisible to much of Long Beach.
"The community doesn't know about us, just a privileged few," President of the Board of Trustees, Roberta Fiore, said. Fiore and the other fourteen board members are currently involved in Heritage Month in an attempt to not only celebrate Long Beach, but also reach out to the community.
One of the month's highlights is The Heritage House Tours, which was held this past Sunday. The house tours have been performed since 1985, using busses to accommodate guided tours. People are permitted to go into the houses independently and not only enjoy the beauty of the homes, but also to meet and speak to the owners.
Although Long Beach can brag about many fine homes, the Society decided to concentrate on the architecture of the homes built in the 1920's. Three hundred and fifty people had the pleasure of traveling by bus to see the lovely homes of area residents, and had the opportunity to learn about the period from the tour guides provided by the Society.
"People come from all over Long Island to go on these tours," Fiore said. Word of mouth can be a powerful selling tool, and it was obvious by Sunday's sell-out crowds that the Historical Society must be doing something right.
This year, the Society chose to concentrate on the 1920's because as one of the tour guides Liz Coffin-Allerhand said, "this was the biggest building program that happened in Long Beach."
It all began in 1922, when the center village was incorporated as a city, extending west from Nevada Avenue to Maple Boulevard on the east. The once part-time community changed at this point to a full-time one, with families
moving to the new city to raise their children, and enjoy the ocean year-round. Schools were built as well as a hospital, library, churches, and temples. The homes were built middle sized to small reflecting the smaller land plot size, since more people were moving to Long Beach at that time and space was a concern.
The 1920's homes were all built around the Lido Hotel, which was built in 1929 right before the stock market crash. Representing the ultimate dream of the Moorish style of Architecture, it was a posh, luxurious center of nightlife pleasure. As the patrons danced wearing their formalwear, the roof opened up to reveal the night skies, allowing everyone to enjoy the romance of dancing under the stars. Now condominiums, the building is often referred to as 'the pink hotel.'
The Masonic Temple, the first stop on the tour is currently the home of the Long Beach Branch of the South Shore Y, but some of the most beautiful stained glass ever created still adorns the ceiling. One of the differences between this stained glass and that of today is the colors, which were beautifully pale. Resembling a Romanesque Church the exterior is still in tact complete with the Free-Masonry Icons allowing the building to maintain it's old world flavor.
There were many breathtaking homes and much to learn about the period as one experienced the unique qualities of the 1920's architecture. The Clark Residence, built in 1928 was a lesson in economy. Each part fitting into the whole it was an excellent example of the creation of a home that was not only lovely, but also useful. The architects seemed to be considering many things using the stucco archways and the plantings to create a sense of seclusion and privacy in a neighborhood that was tightly arranged. Interestingly, the garage was incorporated directly into the house making the land space, which was once used for horse stables, available.
As the tour bus traveled down Olive Street, one couldn't miss the majesty of the Armak Residence. Winner of the 2001 House Restoration Award it is considered a 20th Century trophy house. The original owner, I. Miller was a wealthy, New York City shoe manufacturer who as a friend to Flo Ziegfield, producer of the Ziegfield Follies, made all of the shoes for the Ziegfield Girls. The Armak Residence was a summer home at that time, boasting a spectacular facade. Today I. Miller's home continues its tradition as anything but ordinary. Many of the white columns remain on the front of the house and inside, the original paneling, and beautiful wooden floors are intact. Breathtaking today, it must have been quite a spectacle in the 20's.
Living in the O'Kane home on Roosevelt Boulevard is a lesson in being neighborly. A tiny house, it was built after the stock market crash of 1929. Two sets of attached houses accommodate four families, each in their own home, on one lot. The brickwork is sophisticated, the home in the Northern style - English Tudor meets Teutonic Grimm style. The families share a common backyard, which is small, but beautiful.
In the 20s, the purpose of designing the home in this way was to accrue a greater capital for the builder, and give employment to a larger labor pool of local, Italian masons. The woodwork in the O'Kane home is stunning and the interior has a light and airy quality that reminds one of the tranquility of the ocean breezes.
These are examples of only a few of the beautiful 1920 homes that dot the Long Beach community. For those that were unable to attend the yearly Heritage House Tours the opportunity will once again arise next June. Until then while taking a leisurely walk through Long Beach, one can always enjoy the many homes, at least from the outside.
[ITALICS]
To identify the Moorish Revival Buildings of the 1920's note the following: Geometric forms - cube, half-circle, round shapes used in building design Arched portals, doorways, and windows; Main entry to living quarters above street level; automobile garage incorporated into building; Tile roofs; pale tint leaded stain glass; interior and exterior bas-relief designs in stucco and plaster; tile work, painted, and glazed stucco walls; brickwork used in ornamental outline around doors, over garages, around fireplaces; wrought-iron door hinges.
