Monday, September 28, 2015

'Rumpus House'

'Rumpus House', the Carl J. Schmidlapp estate designed by Peabody, Wilson & Brown c. 1920 in Mill Neck with landscaping by Ellen Shipman and Ferruccio Vitale, now under the stewardship of the North Shore Land Alliance.  After a successful campaign to purchase the property the NSLA needs some help figuring out what to do with 'Rumpus House', which has sat vacant for a number of years.  The house would be a bit of a project but it is quite a house, located across the street from Upper Francis Pond and adjacent to the Humes Japanese Stroll Garden.  Feel free to share any ideas in the comments section below.  Click HERE and HERE for more on 'Rumpus House'.  A tremendous thank you to the North Shore Land Alliance for allowing me to visit and photograph the property.






15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Glad this survived. But it makes me even sadder for the many more that did not...especially those in the last few years.

Doug Floor Plan said...

Yes, it's good 'Rumpus House' survived ... but now what to do with it? It isn't splashy enough (to me) to be viable for weddings, parties, etc.; especially inside. My first thought would be to list it for possible movie location use. With Halloween coming up & in its current condition I'd check into running a haunted house.

I know everyone's first choice is for someone with money & taste to buy & care for 'Rumpus House' ... but what are other options?

sagexlibris said...

Zoning may be an issue, but it could be used as a wedding destination. The rooms in the main house are large and could accommodate a hundred people (+) - and the grounds could be flowered-up either as monochromatic themes, i.e.: a pink/gray garden, or a wildflower garden, or even an herb/vegetable garden. I think there is enough property to have a corn maze, where a wedding could be held in the middle with a tri-wizard cup? Or, is that so not Locust Valley?

Anonymous said...

Yes this is definitely not the big splashy style venue that a wedding or catering facility demands, plus the neighbors and village would not even consider such an idea. Mill Neck Manor is barely a half mile away and this place would not be able to compete with that manor house for staging events. Moneysunk and Planting Fields are also close by.

I think they should just keep all the buildings on site as rentals, which most are currently. This would bring in money to maintain the property and also ensure people are present all hours of the day. Rumpus House could be partitioned into 3 separate rentals if need be. The property would be secured and hopefully generate additional funds for the Alliance. archibuff

sagexlibris said...

Archibuff is right, of course. Rumpus House should somehow retain its quietness and peacefulness, like the rest of the neighborhood. To convert the property into a wedding destination might be as destructive as developing the site for condominiums by raising everything and encircling the property with an asphalt running track.

Doug Floor Plan said...

I also appreciate Archibuff's insight; & wonder how the rental income from the existing buildings compares to the expenses of the property?

Sagexlibris -- I cannot imagine a scenario where using a large, private home to cater private events could be as destructive to an estate setting as building condominiums. As for your distain for asphalt running tracks -- call it a bridle path & it will be oh-so acceptable.

The Ancient said...

Off-topic:

Inisfada:

http://www.newyorksocialdiary.com/the-way-they-live/2015/big-old-houses-in-memoriam

Steve Mouzon said...

Just curious who you are? Your profile didn't say.

Zach L. said...

I am me.

Anonymous said...

The link provided by Ancient to the NY Social Diary update by John Foreman is particularly sad to read and see. Such stupidity by the board members of North Hills and the mindless destruction by the developer with ignorant glee and support by Mayor Natiss of North Hills will go down in LI history as one of the areas biggest preservation blunders. The new Ritz Carlton apartment blocks being constructed on another North Hills estate bulldozed just before Inisfada are simply cheap 5 story eyesores. The Town Board is clueless to what destruction they brought to their once beautiful village. Money, greed and human stupidity, a lethal combination, in full view in North Hills.

Ethan Klein said...

Thank you for all the great posts over the years. I went to school in Locust Valley, and always wanted to know what estates lay behind the many gates and tall trees.

Bill Van Nostrand said...

I haven't seen any posts since September 28th. Hope all is OK. Thanks you for your great site, I have really enjoyed your posts and look forward to checking on a daily basis and adding information, if I have it. What a great contribution you have made to those who love the social and architectural history of Long Island colorful past! Best of luck, Bill Van Nostrand

charles said...

For a start, tours of the house and property in the state it is in (before anything is done to it)could bring in a good amount of money. Designer showcases are great, but to my way of thinking, not nearly as great as seeing a house before it is "fixed up."

Alice Gray said...

This house seems to be too old to live there...

Carol Landry said...

I believe they sold the house to help fund the open land for public use. I was just there today and the open land on Oyster Bay Rd. is amazing! The house looks like it's been renovated.