Senate Resolution No. 2179

BY: Senator MAYER

COMMEMORATING the 60th Anniversary of the
historical Sherwood House Museum

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that the quality
of life of the citizens of the State of New York is greatly enriched by
its exceptional cultural, educational and recreational institutions; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the Sherwood House Museum to be
celebrated at the Yonkers Historical Society's Annual Dinner on
Thursday, April 7, 2022, at the Fairways at Dunwoodie, Yonkers, New
York; and

WHEREAS, One of the few remaining pre-Revolutionary War fully
furnished tenant farmhouses in the New York Metropolitan area, the
historic Sherwood House was built in 1740 by Thomas Sherwood who was a
farmer, constable, and a tax collector of the Town of Yonkers; and

WHEREAS, The farmhouse was built on land leased from British
loyalist Frederick Philipse III, whose vast manor extended from Spuyten
Duyvil at what is now the northern tip of Manhattan Island all the way
up north to the Croton River; and

WHEREAS, After the Revolutionary War, the Philipse family lost all
claim to their land when it was confiscated by the State of New York;
Thomas Sherwood's son, Stephen, purchased his father's farm in 1785 at
an auction of seized properties; and

WHEREAS, In 1801, Yonkers' first physician, Dr. John Ingersoll,
purchased the Sherwood House, where he resided and practiced medicine
until his death in 1827; he was known for using remedies from the herbs
grown in his garden; and

WHEREAS, For close to a century Frederick Weed and his descendants
owned the homestead; furthermore, the last private owners established
Yonkers' first Italian restaurant, which was in business through the
early 1950s; and

WHEREAS, The property eventually came into the possession of the
Consolidated Edison Company of New York, who leased the land and gave
ownership of Sherwood House and the two outer buildings to the Yonkers
Historical Society in 1955 on the condition it would be preserved as a
museum; and

WHEREAS, Since that time, the restoration and preservation of this
renowned landmark has been carried on by the Yonkers Historic Society
through gifts of funds, furniture, artifacts, and the countless hours of
work put in by many public-spirited citizens who have dedicated their
personal time to keeping this priceless landmark a living lesson in
Yonkers history; and

WHEREAS, Sherwood House, located at 340 Tuckahoe Road, is the oldest
farmhouse in Yonkers and is listed in the National Register of Historic
Places; and

WHEREAS, The success of Sherwood House is in direct correlation to
the efforts of the Yonkers Historical Society's dedicated members and
volunteers, whose involvement is, and always has been, characterized by
an impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising
standard of excellence in all endeavors on behalf of the organization
and the community it serves; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that when
institutions of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be recognized and applauded by all the citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the historical Sherwood House
Museum; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Sherwood House Museum, Yonkers, New York.