Fw: [Fredslist] Gotham Visits Coe Hall at Planting Fields, Oyster Bay

[Fred Klein]

Thank you Renee and Bonnie and all who attended.  Yesterday is what 
distinguishes Gotham and makes us special.  A special place on a special 
day with special people!

__________________________________
Fred C. Klein
Klein Zelman Rothermel LLP
485 Madison Avenue, 15th Floor
New York, NY 10022
(212) 935-6020
fklein at legal.org
http://www.kleinzelman.com
http://www.gothamnetworking.com
----- Forwarded by Fred Klein/KZRD on 10/18/2010 09:19 AM -----

bonnie schinagle <bschinagle at gmail.com> 
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[Fredslist] Gotham Visits Coe Hall at Planting Fields, Oyster Bay






On the invitation of Renee Bradley, thirty one Gothamites gathered at Coe 
Hall in Oyster Bay on Sunday morning.  Renee's company, Interior 
Restoration, Inc., restores historic  homes on Long Island and helps 
clients build new structures in keeping with historical Long Island 
style.  Renee is a member of Gotham Long Island Women and a newly 
appointed Planting Fields Foundation trustee.  She generously arranged for 
a private tour by the Foundation's executive director, the engaging Henry 
Joyce.
 
Our tour began with an introduction to the Foundation and its work.  Mr. 
Joyce explained that New York State owns and operates the park, but that 
the Foundation maintains Coe Hall and the other buildings on the grounds. 
 The Foundation raises funds to support the State's activities in the 
arboretum.  We learned so much from Mr. Joyce's presentation about the 
house, the Coe family and life during the bygone era of the 1920's.  His 
explanations made the place come alive.
 
No expense was spared in creation of this 1921 Gold Coast estate by the 
man who had been president of the prominent insurer, Johnson & Higgins. 
 His second wife, Mai Coe, with whom Coe built the house, was the daughter 
of one of Standard Oil's founders.  The house was designed as an 
Elizabethan manor, and a portrait of Queen Elizabeth hangs in the entry 
hallway.  Details abound. For example, a hidden bar was placed in one of 
the front wood-paneled sitting rooms in anticipation of prohibition.  A 
detailed mural depicting Yellowstone, replete with buffalo, antelope and 
hawks covers the vaulted breakfast room.  The mural was created by Robert 
Winthrop Chanler, a prominent artist of the day. 
 
 
Mr. Joyce explained that the gardens were used as entertainment spaces.  
Mai Coe was responsible for the design of a sunken Italian garden that can 
be seen from her room.  Our own Renee Bradley was instrumental in the 
restoration of that very same garden.   The 100 year old tea house was in 
perfect condition - a must see.
 
The estate allowed its many immigrant servants ? as many as 18 - gain a 
foothold in this country.  Though the house was equipped with modern 
conveniences to make work on the estate more palatable, servants tended to 
seek better employment elsewhere.  Increasing taxes and heating costs 
ultimately made the estate life-style difficult to maintain.  Mai Coe had 
died and Mr. Coe remarried.  He and his third wife turned their attentions 
to a southern estate, though the third Mrs. Coe maintained a small house 
at Planting Fields until her death.   Mr. Coe sold Planting Fields to New 
York State and the property was converted for use as part of SUNY in 1955. 
 Coe Hall was used for housing until 1971.  By that time, the Coe 
descendants had taken the furnishings from the property.  The Foundation 
has been successful in getting approximately 80% of the furniture 
returned.
 
If you weren?t able to share our visit to Coe Hall, definitely visit at 
another time.  The docents are extremely knowledgeable, and Mr. Joyce 
presents interesting exhibitions.  An Elizabethan Celebration will be held 
at Coe Hall on Saturday, December 4, 2010 from 6:30 until 9 p.m. to 
benefit the Planting Fields Foundation.  Renee Bradley is chairing the 
event, so it should be wonderful.  A cocktail buffet will be served.  For 
reservations, call (516)922-8678 or e-mail  Jlavella at plantingfieldsorg.  
 
Both Coe Hall and Planting Fields are remarkable Long Island treasures.  
Please support their efforts.  The Foundation?s website is 
www.plantingfieldsfoundation.org.  Renee, I hope I speak on behalf of 
everyone who attended the tour in thanking you for making the effort to 
arrange this special introduction to Coe Hall. 

Bonnie Spiro Schinagle _______________________________________________
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