Building-Structure Inventory Form

Historical Sites

Building Inventory Form

Return to Sites Table of Contents

Unless indicated below, this is a transcript of the original Society for the Preservation of Long Island Antiquities/Town of Brookhaven survey form. Since most of the surveys were conducted in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, much of the information reflects that time period.

Corrections to obvious typographical and spelling errors have been made. Corrections to factual errors in the original surveys, and updates or comments on the information are either enclosed in [square brackets], or are clearly indicated as updated material from the context of the comments.

Sites which have a suffix of “S” are supplemental sites not included in the original surveys.

Building-Structure Inventory Form

Gardner Rea House

If checked, this is a Supplemental Form, not in the original surveys.

Inventory Code: Br30.2-S

Prepared Date: 07-14-2008

Last Modified: 01-01-1970

Click for

Photo

People

Submitter

Submitter Name:

John Deitz

Submitter Address:

7 Locust Rd.

Brookhaven, NY 11719
631-286-3178

Organization:

Identification

1-Building/Site Name:Gardner Rea House

2a-County:Suffolk

2b-Town:Brookhaven

2c-Village:Hamlet of Brookhaven

If checked, this site is within the Fire Place (Brookhaven Hamlet) Historic District

Ownership

4a-Public Site

4b-Private Site

5a-Owner (at original survey date):Unknown

5b-Address:12 Meadow Lane

Use

6a-Original:Residence

6b-Present:Residence

Accessibility

7a-Visible From Road

7b-Interior Accessible

7b-Interior Comment: By appointment

Building Materials

8a-Clapboard

8b-Stone

8c-Brick

8d-Board & Batten

8e-Cobblestone

8f-Shingles

8g-Stucco

8-Other:

Structural System

9a-Wood Frame Interlocking Joints

9b-Wood Frame Light Members

9c-Masonry

9d-Metal

9d-Metal Comment:

9e-Other

9e-Other Comment:

Condition

10a-Excellent

10b-Good

10c-Fair

10d-Deteriorated

Integrity

11a-Original Site

11b-Moved

If so, when?:

11c-Alterations: A substantial addition on the west (back) side (compare pictures) was likely added after Gardner Rea died in 1966.

Photo & Map

12-Photo:

13-Map:

Threats

14a-None Known

14b-Zoning

14c-Roads

14d-Developers

14e-Deterioration

14f-Other:

14-Comment:

Related Outbuildings and Property

15a-Barn

15b-Carriage House

15c-Garage

15d-Privy

15e-Shed

15f-Greenhouse

15g-Shop

15h-Gardens

15i-Landscape Features

15i-Landscape Features:

15j-Other:

15-Comment:

Surroundings of the Building

16a-Open Land

16b-Woodland

16c-Scattered Bldgs

16d-Densely Built-up

16e-Commercial

16f-Industrial

16g-Residential

16h-Other: Sits near the boundary of the bay meadows.

Interrelationship of Building and Surroundings

17-Interrelationships:

Other Notable Features of Building and Site

18-Notable Features: Large windows on the north face, in a manner often favored by artists.

Significance

19-Initial Const Date: About 1920

19-Architect:

19-Builder: Gardner Rae

Historic and Architectural Importance

20-Importance: Residence built by the well know cartoonist for the New Yorker and other publications.

Sources

21-Sources: NY Times, 29 Jan 1966, pg 31.
Emails: Charles Morrison, 2008

Theme

22-Theme:

Prepared By

John Deitz

Supplemental Material

The side faces the street, and therefore would normally be considered the "front.". The only door in the original house was on the west face, "The only way for Mr. Rea to leave his house was by the back door, as he planned his home without a door facing the street. Similarly, he chatted genially with his visitor while facing a blank wall." NY Times, 29 Dec 1966.
Before constructing this house, the Rea family live in a small bungalow to the north.

Swan Realty Listing, 2015: "Early 20th Century Country Hideaway On Meadow Lane In Bucolic Brookhaven Hamlet. 3 Bedrooms, 2 1/2 Baths All Recently Renovated. Conservatory With Radiant Heating, Numerous Lovely Rooms Each With It’s Own History. Magnificent Eat-In-Kitchen, Gunite Pool Enhanced By It’s Unique Pool House. 1.25 Acres Surrounded And Enhanced By Land Held In Trust. 3 Car Garage. Central Air Conditioning. Clean And Dry Cellar." Listing price: $1,499,999. Year Built: 1920.