Historical society breaks ground on accessible new entrance wing

The Suffolk County Historical Society’s exhibits, programs and resources will at long last be accessible to people physically unable to climb the imposing staircase to the building’s main entrance.

A $1 million addition to the stately brick building on the corner of West Main and Court street had a ceremonial ground-breaking this morning. The new wing will incorporate a ground level entrance, handicap-accessible restrooms and an elevator. Handicap parking spaces will also be provided on site.

“In the shadow of all of our successes, we have dealt with one unfortunate oppressive challenge: our building’s historic grand architectural features have presented as an obstacle for persons with physical challenges, preventing entry into our building,” said SCHS executive director Victoria Berger.

“Today is our day for change as we break ground on a new Americans with Disabilities Act reception and entrance foyer, expanding services to our senior and mobility-impaired residents,” she said.

“The time has come for us to open our doors to all.”

The historical society maintains more than 25,000 historical artifacts documenting the history of Suffolk County, along with permanent and changing exhibits and a gift shop. Founded in 1886, the historical society has occupied the building on West Main Street, a national landmark, since it was built in 1930.

The new 923-square-foot addition was designed by Stromski Architecture. It will provide accessibility to all public areas of the museum, Berger said. Radon Construction Corp. will be the general contractor.

Architect Rob Stromski and Radon Construction Corp. president Craig Plansker and vice president Charles Errigo were on hand for today’s ceremonies. They were joined by historical society board members, donors whose support made the project attainable and local officials.

Major funding for the new wing came from the State Council on the Arts, the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation, the Kenneth J. Tedaldi Foundation and the Leo S. Walsh Foundation. More than a dozen individuals and businesses were capital project patrons contributing significantly to the endeavor.

The Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation was the first to step up with a $400,000 grant award. Its executive director, Kathy Curran, initiated the project when she served as executive director of the historical society. The N.Y. State Council on the Arts made the society a $500,000 grant.

“The board, made up mostly of men, needed women to get the ball rolling,“ quipped SCHS board president Bob Barauskas. He said said the board, made up mostly of men, had been talking about handicapped accessibility for more than a decade.

The project has been “a joy” to work on, said Stromski. He credited his colleague Gary Jacquemin for being a catalyst for the project and a major part of the design team.

Stromski recalled first stepping into the building as an elementary school student.

“As someone born and raised in Riverhead, I’m honored to be a part of something that’s going to be a long-lasting legacy for the Town of Riverhead and the County of Suffolk.”

County Legislator Al Krupski said he, too, had memories of school field trips to the museum as a child. The historical society preserves local history and teaches its importance to successive generations.

Riverhead Councilwoman Catherine Kent said as a teacher for 38 years she’d taken many classes on field trips to the museum. “I had a lot of wonderful teachable moments here,” she said.

Councilwoman Jodi Giglio thanked the historical society board for its determination and perseverance to see the project through.

“There’s so much rich history inside of this building that has been inaccessible to so many,” Giglio said, “including myself.” She recalled accompanying her son’s Boy Scout troop on a trip to the museum and being unable to access the lower level because she was on crutches following knee surgery. The new wing “will open up new doors to so many Suffolk County residents,” she said.