reLI asks you to sign this petition to support the protection of an Historic House and Site for Renewable Energy Activities

At the entryway to Springs, at 4 Springs Fireplace Road and North Main Street, with scenic vistas of “old East Hampton” farmland sit three acres from the original Sherrill farm dating back to 1792.

The town has already purchased the development rights to an adjacent 16 acres protecting prime agricultural soils and preserving scenic vistas).

The purchase of these final properties which include the original historic Sherrill farmhouse, an extra acre of farmland, and a fully passive and active solar house will complete a block of East Hampton that is too important to let slip away.

Please Sign Petition.

Once protected, these historic properties would house a 19th century History Center and grounds including an authentic display of 19th century family farm life, with period pieces in the parlor, 19th century gardens, and scenic vistas of “old East Hampton” life. The 1858 Sherrill House is one of only a few Greek Revival houses in East Hampton, built by Charles A. Glover of Sag Harbor, architect/builder and supervisor of Old Whaler’s Church (NRHP # 01996-01-04).

In addition, the passive and active solar house which was built in 1979 would be used for recreational activities focused on renewable energy. A passive solar house is designed to use the power of the sun to provide heat in the winter and for natural day lighting, but also remain cool in the summer.

Historically, this design was very popular before people had fossil fuels to heat and cool our homes. The house also has solar photo voltaic panels on the roof making the house virtually energy independent. These panels provide all the electricity necessary to run the house year round. The combination of the passive solar heating with the solar electricity makes this house the perfect showcase for what is possible using only clean renewable energy.

Renewable Energy Long Island (reLI) an East Hampton based not-for-profit organization dedicated to Long Island’s transition from a fossil fuel to a renewable energy based economy, believes that this house would provide unique recreational opportunities centered on renewable energy. These activities could include:

• hands-on interactive workshops for children, youth and adults.
• building solar model cars and testing their effectiveness in a solar competition.
• presentations and tours of East Hampton’s historical use of renewable energy.

Please Sign Petition.

The timing of this opportunity for East Hampton to provide engaging recreational activities centered on renewable energy could not be better. The Town Board has recently been very engaged on clean energy issues, adopting a Comprehensive Energy Vision and selecting proposals for large amounts of solar power to be developed on Town owned property. A purchase of the Sherrill property would provide a unique chance to engage the community in East Hampton’s long history of renewable energy use while showcasing this century’s opportunities of the transition to a clean energy era.