Preservation Long Island Announces Glen Cove Venue for June Benefit

The Webb Institute is a past winner of Preservation Long Island’s Award for Project Excellence for Bentel & Bentel Architects’ historically sensitive design of the new Couch Academic Center

Founded as a nonprofit organization in 1948, Preservation Long Island’s work focuses on preserving and celebrating Long Island’s diverse cultural and architectural heritage through advocacy, education, and management of historical sites and collections.

Cold Spring Harbor, New York (June 5, 2024) — Preservation Long Island is excited to host its annual fundraising event on Friday, June 21, 2024 at “The Braes,” a spectacular venue overlooking the Long Island Sound in Glen Cove. Benefit guests will have the opportunity to explore the former Herbert L. Pratt Estate, now the Webb Institute, while enjoying cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and music.

Bentel and Bentel Architects and Planners will lead tours of the original main building and the Couch Academic Center addition. The new building received Preservation Long Island’s 2022 Award for Project Excellence for its historically sensitive design.

In operation for 75 years, Preservation Long Island is the only regional nonprofit organization dedicated to historic preservation on the Long Island geographic area. From events and exhibitions to preservation advocacy, education and publications, their extensive programs connect Long Islanders to the region’s diverse and distinctive past.

“Our annual benefit venues are selected to highlight Long Island’s diverse architectural history,” said Alexandra Wolfe, executive director of Preservation Long Island. “This year, we are delighted to welcome our guests to the benefit evening in front of such a beautiful example of inventive new design in the service of historic preservation.”

“This fundraising event directly supports a wide range of Preservation Long Island programs, including historic preservation advocacy services, public education programs and exhibits as well as the management of our historic properties and collections ” said Katiana Anglade, director of development for Preservation Long Island. “It’s also one of the best parties of the season.”

The cover of Preservation Long Island’s latest publication Promoting Long Island: The Art of Edward Lange, 1870-1889 will be on display during the event. The book focuses on the life, work, and career of one of Long Island’s most prolific artists of the late 19th century. The new hardcover publication arrives in September 2024 and is available for pre-order during the holiday.

The benefit will kick off with blues, pop ballads and instrumentals performed by Broadway World Award-winning artist and Long Island-based performer Christen Dekie. The music will continue throughout the evening with DJ Emmanuel Jules. In addition to hors d’oeuvres, cocktails and a specialty signature drink, guests can enjoy a selection of wines made possible in part by Total Wine & More. All guests will leave with the blue Preservation Long Island logo tote bag. For more details about the party and to purchase tickets online, visit: https://preservationlongisland.org/benefit-2024/

About “The Braes” and the Webb Institute

Prominently atop a hill overlooking the Long Island Sound at Glen Cove, “The Braes” was the largest of six country homes that comprised the Pratt family compound at Dosoris Point. It was built in 1912-14 for Herbert Lee Pratt (1871-1945) of the Standard Oil Company and was designed by James Brite in the Jacobean Revival style.

For the waterfront setting, Brite collaborated with landscape designer James L. Greenleaf (1857-1933), who brilliantly designed the spectacular three-tiered terrace offering a spectacular 275° view of the Long Island Sound as it slopes toward the shore.

Today, “The Braes” serves as Stevenson Taylor Hall, the main building of the Webb Institute, a private college of naval architecture and maritime engineering founded in 1889 by shipbuilder and philanthropist William H. Webb (1816-1899). ) and first located in the Bronx. The Institute (then known as Webb’s Academy) moved to its current location in 1947 and grew into a highly specialized, tuition-free center of higher education.

In 2022, the Webb Institute received a Preservation Award from Preservation Long Island in recognition of project excellence for the design of the Couch Academic Center, a 30,000 square foot building addition designed by Bentel & Bentel Architects. Central to the plan for the new facility was maintaining the historic significance of the original Pratt House and the Greenleaf landscape plan by building underground and incorporating a green roof to preserve the essential character of the terraced landscape above. above. The result is spectacular and a fine example of new design in the service of historic preservation.

Stevenson Taylor Hall served as Wayne’s iconic mansion in the 1995 film “Batman Forever” and the Webb Institute’s exteriors and interiors served as the backdrop for “Gotham,” the Batman prequel television series.

About Preserving Long Island

Preservation Long Island is a nonprofit organization that works with Long Islanders to raise awareness, appreciation and support for the protection of our shared past through advocacy, education and stewardship of historic sites and collections.

http://preservationlongisland.org

Preservation Long Island maintains and interprets historic sites and collections that embody various aspects of Long Island history, including:

Joseph Lloyd Manor, Lloyd Harbor http://preservationlongisland.org/joseph-lloyd-manor/

Customs, Sag Harbor http://preservationlongisland.org/custom-house/

Sherwood-Jayne Farm, Setauket http://preservationlongisland.org/sherwood-jayne-farm/

Former Methodist Church and Exhibition Gallery http://preservationlongisland.org/methodist-church/

Contact:

Andrea Hart, public affairs director, Preservation Long Island

[email protected] 631.692.4664×108

Katiana Anglade, development director, Preservation Long Island

[email protected] 631-692-4664 Ext. 109

Picture: “Webb Institute. » Photo by Kyle Koleda. Additional images available.