Roslyn Village Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Roslyn Village Historic District
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Shops along Old Northern Boulevard, as seen in 2008.
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 Location in New York
Location in the United States
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| Location | Roslyn, NY |
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| Nearest city | Glen Cove |
| Area | 65 acres (26 ha) |
| Built | 19th century |
| Architect | William Bunker Tubby |
| Architectural style | Federal, Greek Revival |
| MPS | Roslyn Village Multiple Resource Area |
| NRHP reference No. | 86002650 |
| Added to NRHP | 1987 |
The Roslyn Village Historic District is a special area in the center of Roslyn, a village in New York State. This district is like a protected zone for old and important buildings. It includes a part called the Main Street Historic District, which is even older.
The National Park Service added the Roslyn Village Historic District to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987. This means it's recognized as a place with important history and architecture. Unlike the Main Street district, this larger area has more shops and buildings along Old Northern Boulevard. This road loops through downtown Roslyn. The buildings here show many different styles from the 1800s and early 1900s.
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Exploring Roslyn's Historic Area
The Roslyn Village Historic District covers about 65 acres. Most of this area, 25 acres, is taken up by the Main Street District. This includes all the properties along Main Street between Glen Avenue and East Broadway. The Roslyn Village district also covers most of the land between Main Street, East Broadway, and Old Northern Boulevard. It stretches northeast along Glen Avenue, up to Route 25A and the old Northern Mill Pond.
A Look Back at Roslyn's History
Since Roslyn was first settled in the mid-1600s, it grew around Main Street. A lot of growth happened in the early 1800s after the American Revolution. Many of the houses on Main Street were built then. After the American Civil War, people still wanted to build homes in Roslyn. They started building on East Broadway. This street also sits on a steep hillside near Roslyn Pond.
Architectural Styles on East Broadway
Houses on East Broadway were mostly built in the late 1800s. They often show Victorian styles. For example, James K. Davis designed his own home at 139 East Broadway in 1876. It featured the Second Empire style with a unique mansard roof. Another example is Evangeline Charman's home at 207 East Broadway, built in 1895. It shows the Queen Anne style.
In the early 1900s, there was still some space to build. In 1921, the Bryant Library on East Broadway was built. It became a major example of Colonial Revival style in the district. By 1930, East Broadway was as developed as Main Street had been years before. This helped the area keep its historic look.
Protecting Roslyn's Past
In the 1960s, the Roslyn Landmark Society started working to find and protect the village's old buildings. This led to the creation of the Main Street district. Some old houses from other parts of Roslyn were even moved to East Broadway to keep them safe.
In 1979, a bigger survey of historic buildings was done. This led to the idea of the Roslyn Village Historic District. At first, the National Park Service wasn't sure about having two separate districts. They suggested just expanding the existing Main Street district. However, the state's historic preservation office explained that Main Street was special. It had its own unique look and history, even within the new, larger district. Because of this, the Roslyn Village Historic District was added to the National Register.
Keeping Roslyn's History Alive
Roslyn has special rules to protect buildings in both its historic districts. These rules are part of the village's zoning laws. If someone wants to add to, tear down, or change a building in these areas, they need approval. A group called the Historic District Board, made up of six members, reviews these plans. The Roslyn Landmark Society also has special agreements to help protect some properties.
