The Oyster Bay Historical Society (OBHS) continues its history series that informs the public about the people and places in Oyster Bay as it raises funds to create an archival building to preserve that past. To continue that work, the OBHS invites you to share in a series of events which celebrate three centuries of unique and irreplaceable architecture in our town. The series will begin at 3 p.m. on Nov. 20 with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres and will feature a lively, and potentially controversial, roundtable discussion on the conflict between historic preservation and land development. It will take place at Nassau Hall in the Muttontown Preserve.

OBHS Director Tom Kuehhas said, "The discussion on the conflict between preservation and development is particularly relevant to Oyster Bay since we've lost so much, but there is still a lot left. If you go searching in the residential areas as well as the commercial areas you will see it although some of it is hidden now. Look at the Carvel store located in what was the Sagamore Pharmacy in the Randall building (on the corner of South Street and Audrey Avenue), now covered with a faux finish. Originally, the brick building matched the Moore's building across the street, as well as the building that now houses the Coin Gallery. The Moore's building is still there and its one of the success stories for preservation in the hamlet. They took down what I called 'the carbuncle' outside, restoring the original lines of the front of the building.

"Another building 'hiding' in full view is the Octagon Hotel on Spring Street and West Main," he said. The Octagon Hotel is described in the OBHS publication Walls Have Tongues as an eight-sided, three story building. It was built about the time of the Civil War by Luther Jackson. The book's editor John F. MacKay wrote, "It was a popular gathering place for 'the beauty and chivalry' of Oyster Bay until well into the 20th century, when it became the first Ford showroom on the North Shore. Architects of the Victorian era were lavish in their praise of octagonal buildings as an 'ideal living arrangement,' but Oyster Bay's Octagon is one of the few built on Long Island. In its time, it has been a microcosm of the progress of American comfort and convenience. Forward-looking hotel proprietress Mary Lavelle equipped it with steam heat, way back in 1889, and 'put in' an early electric plant a year later. Around 1900, she added a telephone wire...direct to New York!" There is still hope for that building: that the architectural details still exist under the modern siding.

Mr. Kuehhas, who is the editor of The Freeholder, the publication of the OBHS, said the next issue is a journal of the new exhibit. "It will be coming out at the end of November and will be an exhibition catalogue, which will be a complement to the exhibit. It will contain a lot of information people are not aware of, as well as stunning examples of architecture we have had and do have, places like the Octagon building and the First Presbyterian Church. There is a color front cover and additional copies of the journal will be available at a cost."

Mr. Kuehhas said there is a real need to raise the hamlet's consciousness on the importance of the architectural history of the area. "I have a plea to make. We have to preserve what we have here. There are so many changes. We've had 17th century buildings survive well into the 20th century only to be taken down for parking lots. For example the Job Wright House, where Fiddleheads is now located in the North Country Plaza and the Wicker Jackson House (an 18th century domicile) on South Street that was between the Gulf station and (what was) the American Legion Hall. The Burtis-Weeks House was where the former Methodist Church parsonage stood, (now a commercial building) was a 17th century house on the corner of South Street and Burtis Avenue.

"I don't think people realize the finality of these buildings being torn down. If what had happened over a period of decades had happened at one time, people would have been up in arms. Things happen one at a time and people shrug their shoulders. If they saw it happening all at once, they would be aghast," he said.

Mr. Kuehhas said the panel members will include: John Collins, arguably Long Island's most respected historic designer; Charla Bolton, Preservation Advocate for the Society For the Preservation of Long Island Antiquities; Lisa Ott, the director of the newly formed North Shore Land Alliance; Suzi Chase, a realtor with Daniel Gale who has a law degree in Historic Preservation law; Steven Conlon, a respected attorney with over 25 years experience in land use, municipal and not-for-profit law; and Thomas Hanrahan, dean of architecture at Pratt Institute.

The panel will field questions posed by the moderator and audience participation will be encouraged. This event will be held at historic Nassau Hall, the former Christie Estate designed by Delano & Aldrich in 1904, one of their earliest Long Island commissions.

The next event in the series takes place on Nov. 28 at 3 p.m. You are invited to join the OBHS for a champagne and hors d'oeuvres reception to celebrate the opening of the exhibition at their headquarters, the Wightman House, 20 Summit St. in Oyster Bay. In this charming and historic setting, you'll enjoy looking at dozens of examples of the very best architecture in Oyster Bay from the 1700s to the present.

On Saturday, Dec. 4, at 6 p.m., their third and most elegant event of the series will replicate an Edwardian style black tie evening of cocktails, superb wines and a brilliant five course dinner at the Bronson Winthrop estate, the magnificent Muttontown home of Marcus Delgado and Dale Turnipseed. The Winthrop estate house was designed in 1911 by Long Island's most distinguished country house architects, Delano & Aldrich and has never before been opened to the public. Because of limited capacity, this splendid evening must be on a "first come, first served" basis. There is a fee for the dinner event. Candlelight Caterers, affiliated with the Metropolitan in Glen Cove, is preparing the festival soiree.

And finally, on Sunday, Dec. 12 at 4 p.m., come and capture the magic of a candlelight tour of historic Florence Park in the hamlet of Oyster Bay. This remarkable colony appears virtually the same as it did at the turn of the 20th century. The owners of four beautifully restored homes have graciously consented to open their doors and welcome the group to a peek at the past. Each of these homes will be elegantly decorated for the Holiday season. After the tour, a horse and carriage will be available to transport you to "Gooseberry Grove," whose proprietor, Bob Liebold will generously offer hot chocolate, cider and their famous cookies. This is truly a "must see" tour!

"So come and join the OBHS for any or all of these memorable days and nights, and know that your contributions are designated exclusively for the construction of a desperately needed expansion of our exhibition, collections storage, and archival space to protect and preserve our historic and priceless collection of Oyster Bay artifacts. We hope to see you - tell your friends, and long live Oyster Bay!," said Mr. Kuehhas.

All proceeds from this event will benefit the Oyster Bay Historical Society's Building Fund. For more information, please contact the Historical Society at 922-5032.