News: Preservationists work to save Lake Compounce historical home

Posted at 8:52 AM EST (1352 GMT)

Feb. 15th, 2006 -- The general manager of Lake Compunce says that the park has no space or use for the founder's house, and with all of the park land designated for future development that it intends to put up a needed maintenance building where the house now stands.

But preservationistsare trying to save the 200-year-old Gad Norton house, a two-story Colonial farmhouse, are seeking out support from senators, representatives, the state attorney general and raising awareness of the issue.

They have a March 13 deadline to reach an alternative solution under the city's delay of demolition ordinance. The park has offered the local historical society $15,000 to take the house off of the property -- slightly more than the nation's oldest amusement park would have to pay to have it torn down. But that is still far less than it would cost to move it according to local preservationists James Calciano and Ken Karl, who have previously moved historic homes.

For more information, see the Bristol Press.