(The following narative accompanied the “Photo Album – Buckland House Renovation” on a recent application for a historic preservation award.)

Click here for the Photo Album

The Buckland House at 1341 Westfall Road in the town of Brighton, Monroe County, New York, was acquired by the town in 1997when it purchased a thirty-five acre former cattle farm in the center of town to use as parkland. The town's Historic Preservation Commission designated the house a town landmark in 2003. Its restoration came about through a group effort of government and not-for-profit agencies.

Challenges Overcome:

The Buckland House had been vacant and untended for several years. Vandals had smashed windows, doors, and bathroom fittings. The landscape was overgrown. Although an engineer’s evaluation indicated that the house was sound, its derelict appearance made even ardent preservationists ask if restoration was possible.

Another challenge was the house’s longevity and its various additions. The house has several periods of significance so a restoration had to include the modifications to the house from its initial construction circa 1830 to its last addition, a circa 1940 hip roof.

Because the house is government-owned, the cost of renovation had to take into account government regulations and tax dollars. Contractors had to

comply with the bid system and health and safety standards.

Unique Strategies Used:

The rehabilitation of the Buckland House was a collaborative effort by both public and private organizations.

The decision of the Brighton Rotary to assist with the rehabilitation of the Buckland house as their centennial project provided a great boon to both the financing of the project and the enthusiasm of the volunteers. Rotary members raised funds, donated materials and equipment, and spent hours in hands-on work.

New York State Senator Joseph Robach was able to acquire member-item funds that covered over a third of the cost. The remaining costs came from the Town and the Rotary.

In addition, two other local organizations provided materials and labor. The Allyn’s Creek Garden Club, celebrating its 75^th anniversary, contributed the plantings, the services of a designer, and on-going care of the landscape. Historic Brighton conducted an archaeological dig behind the house, adding information re the material culture of the property. They also supplied a designer who collected appropriate furnishings for the display rooms and used their funds to frame photographs for the meeting room in the house.

Efforts to Incorporate Green or Sustainable Practices:

As much as possible, original materials were restored and reused. Energy-efficient wooden windows replaced ones that were too damaged to be restored. A high efficiency gas furnace now heats and cools the building. New and existing shade trees assist in protecting the house from strong winds and deflecting the summer sun.

Positive Impact on the Community

With the completion of the Buckland House rehabilitation, Brighton residents have a tangible link to the unique history of their community. Located on a major east-west thoroughfare in Brighton, community residents were well aware of the derelict house on the former cattle farm in the center of town. Its rehabilitation has converted many skeptics to the value of restoration over demolition. The house is called the Brighton Rotary History Center at the Buckland House. Dedicated in September of 2007, it provides space for programs, exhibits, and other history-related activities. Groups may reserve the meeting room in the west wing of the house. The house has a new life as a community resource.

Overall Contribution to Historic Preservation

One of eighteen extant brick buildings in Brighton where brick-making was a major enterprise, the Buckland House is a survivor. Its quirky architecture, the result of its many additions, prevents it from being classified as an example of any particular period. It began as a simple Federal farmhouse, then acquired a Greek Revival west wing. The addition of a full second story was accomplished with cement bricks, providing a contrast to the red bricks below and attesting to the Rochester Orphan Asylum's need for more space. The addition of the hip roof in the 1940s crowns its many past alterations with still another anomalous piece. The designation of the house as a town landmark and now the restoration of the building show the community's commitment to historic preservation, even when the subject building does not represent a classic style.

Mary Jo Lanphear

Town of Brighton Historian

February 15, 2008