Momentum is building as Sylvester Manor gears up for a capital campaign to “preserve, cultivate and share” the historic site.
Executive Director Stephen Searl recently shared news about institutional support in an email.
“Over the past few months, we applied for over $5M in grants from various private and public grantors for the rehabilitation of the Manor House and to continue our History & Heritage work,” Searl wrote.
“This is tremendously exciting and critically important to future grant applications and our upcoming capital campaign,” he said.
In early 2022, the nonprofit received a $150,000 Officer’s Planning Grant from the Mellon Foundation’s Humanities in Place Program. The purpose was to support Sylvester Manor’s 2022 History & Heritage Planning and Partnership Initiative. The year-long initiative focused on organizational engagement with institutions of higher learning and in-depth research of the Enslaved and Free People of Color.
The overarching goal was to enhance Sylvester Manor’s capacity as a place-based center of inquiry, scholarship, and public engagement. But, the initiative also served as a stepping stone to a more significant grant application.
Accordingly, Sylvester Manor has applied to the Mellon Foundation for a $3.5M grant to rehabilitate the Manor House, establish a Center for History & Heritage, and expand programming.
Meantime, New York State informed the nonprofit it would provide a $500K matching grant toward repairs of the Manor House exterior.
“The day after hearing from NYS we submitted a $750K federal matching grant application through the National Park Service’s Save America’s Treasures program,” Searl said.
Other news
While pursuing funds to rehabilitate structures in the site’s Historic Core, Sylvester Manor has also expanded its farming operations and educational initiatives.
Farm and Farmstand
In 2022, Sylvester Manor tripled the size of its Farmstand and installed about 3,500 square feet of refrigerated space.
These changes allowed the nonprofit to increase its Community Support Agriculture program, Farmstand offerings, and food donations. In fact, it provided 27 CSA shares to food pantries over 21 weeks (nearly $30,000 in value).
“We’re looking forward to another successful year of farming in 2023; be on the lookout for the opening of CSA sign-ups,” Searl said.
Place-based learning
The team at Sylvester Manor is designing a 10-week multidisciplinary social studies program that will be piloted at the Shelter Island School in 2023. Called an Inquiry-Driven Learning Expedition, the curriculum-building exercise for middle school students will focus on the indigenous history of Sylvester Manor, Shelter Island, and Long Island.
“Our work has already gained regional attention, and we’re hopeful that this pilot project will lead to other public school programs and place-based learning opportunities,” Searl said.
Meantime, field trips with local schools and the Manor’s Summer Youth Programs continue to grow.
“Our ultimate goal is to make the vast and relevant history of Sylvester Manor accessible to schools around the country,” he said.
Transforming from a private estate
“Special thanks to all those who have contributed time, money, and expertise over the past year,” Searl wrote. “Sylvester Manor depends on your support and commitment to preserving and interpreting the past so we can build a more sustainable future.”
In June, Sylvester Manor acquired the Old Farmhouse, a private residence within the 236-acre Manor grounds. Built circa 1850, it has housed a succession of farm staff and property caretakers. It was the only remaining privately-held parcel within the site and has long been an acquisition priority.
The Farmhouse is slated for preservation and adaptive reuse as part of the capital campaign, Searl said.
“Together, we are transforming Sylvester Manor from a private estate to a public-facing nonprofit with special emphasis on acknowledging the full history of this place and dedication to historic preservation, food & farming, place-based learning, and making the site open and accessible to all.”
If you’re interested in contributing to the capital campaign or supporting other projects, please get in touch with Searl via email at ssearl@sylvestermanor.org. You can also visit the donation page on the Sylvester Manor website.
