Greenwich Historical Society's Landmark Recognition Program Will Honor 5 Distinctive Properties

A former post office, a farm, two homes and a bridge — those are the five properties selected to be honored for The Greenwich Historical Society’s Landmark Recognition Program this year.

A reception will be held at The Greenwich Country Club on April 19 where the distinctive plaques commemorating the honor will be presented. Stephanie Meeks, president and CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, will give the keynote address, discussing the connection between older buildings and dynamic cities in a talk titled “The Future of the Past: Re-Conceiving Historic Preservation for the 21st Century.”

The selected historic properties include:

• The stunning backcountry estate once home to Joseph Hirshhorn and the fabulous art collection that he donated to the Smithsonian;
• The former Greenwich Post Office on Greenwich Avenue, now home to Restoration Hardware;
• French Farm, whose past owner was a preservation pioneer in Greenwich;
• A charming Cos Cob Victorian and
• The Riverside Avenue Bridge (Connecticut’s only cast iron bridge).

Each of the properties will be presented with a Greenwich Historical Society plaque for its adherence to design and architectural excellence. The properties join nearly 300 other homes, sites and structures that have been plaqued since the program’s inception in 1987.

Of having Meeks speak at the reception, Robin Kencel, chairman of this year’s Landmark Recognition Program, said in a statement, “It’s a privilege to have such a significant leader in America’s preservation movement share her perspective and knowledge.” Kencel added, “Under Meeks’ leadership, the Trust has an ambitious plan to save imperiled places and engage new and younger audiences in the cause--issues that are as relevant to our community in Greenwich as they are to the national picture.”

Recipients of this year’s plaques will be presented with books that showcase the architectural richness of their properties, written by former Landmark committee chairman Jack Morris and designed by committee member Joel Dawson.

The Landmark Recognition Program reception with champagne, wine and hors d’oeuvres will take place from 5 to 7:30 p.m. April 19.

Tickets start at $75 per person. Proceeds from the event support the Historical Society’s mission to preserve and interpret Greenwich history. Advance reservations are required. Visit www.greenwichhistory.org or call 203-869-6899, ext. 10.

The Greenwich Landmark Recognition program is sponsored by ACE Private Risk Services, Charles Hilton Architects, Hub International Northeast Insurance, David Ogilvy & Associates, Northern Trust and Cummings & Lockwood.

The Landmark Recognition Program was begun in 1987 by the Greenwich Historical Society. Originally known as “Signs of the Times,” its purpose is to encourage preservation through the recognition of historic and architecturally significant structures. Each plaqued property is professionally researched and documented, and its records are preserved in the Historical Society’s library and archives.

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Contributed photos: #1: James C. Rogerson House: 44 Khakum Wood, Greenwich, built in 1929. Architect Franklin Hammond built this adventurous Tudor which was designed for prominent interior decorator Elizabeth Averell Rogerson who was quoted in Country Life Magazine saying she wanted a house whose surrounding land and rock would dictate the shape and design of the home. #2: Stephanie Meeks, president and CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.