This is going to be one long period of delayed gratification! Many house museums are closed during the winter months. I understand that. Heating costs to keep the few cold weather enthusiasts from freezing solid to the floor boards would be astronomical.
But when Sagamore Hill closes on Dec 5 a three year $6.2 million dollar rehab will commence. A much smaller exhibit will be housed in another building on the property.
Sagamore Hill is the 28-room Queen Anne shingle-style mansion in Oyster Bay on Long Island, NY that Teddy Roosevelt built and used as the summer White House during his presidency from 1901-1909. The home is now part of the National Park Service holdings and has not had any major renovations in more than 50 years. The electrical, heating, security and fire safety systems will all be upgraded. A new roof, gutter and drains will be installed. Exterior work also includes restoration of 78 windows and doors, porches and siding.
To protect the home's contents everything must be packed up, stored and catalogued on a computer spreadsheet. Workers began this herculean task nine months ago. There is one particular prize possession not yet protectively shrouded and put away for safe keeping - the 10-foot-elephant tusks inlaid with silver ornamentation. Any suggestions on the best place to keep these babies for a few years?
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