The Nassau County Legislature approved a bill on September 23 to allocate $6 million toward a fund dedicated to the maintenance and operation of the historic Falaise estate at the Sands Point Preserve.
The resources are sourced from a settlement between the County and the Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation. Under the agreement — which was approved by the Legislature on August 5 — the county would return certain artwork from the estate in exchange for the county receiving $6 million and a full settlement of any possible future claims by the Guggenheim Foundation since the estate was transferred to the County.
“Falaise is a true gem in Nassau County’s parks system, and a $6 million investment in its restoration and preservation would be monumentally impactful,” said Nassau County Minority Leader Delia DeRiggi-Whitton (D-Glen Cove). “I thank my colleagues for [the September 23] vote, which brings us one step closer to securing this historic treasure so that future generations can learn from it and enjoy it for many years to come.”
Situated within the Sands Point Preserve, Falaise is one of the few intact historic houses remaining on Long Island’s North Shore and was built in 1923 upon the marriage of Harry F. Guggenheim to Caroline. Designed by architect Frederick J. Sterner along with Polhemus & Coffin, the home’s design was inspired by 13th-century Norman manor houses.
Earlier this spring, at the urging of DeRiggi-Whitton, $2.4 million in capital project repairs were completed on the Sands Point Bridge, which is the main entry point to Falaise and the Preserve. In the past, she secured county funding to replace the property’s sea wall to protect Falaise from erosion.