We would like to thank the AIA LI Women in Architecture Committee &  H2M architects + engineers for their collaboration on this program.

Vanderbilt Museum Restoration 3LUs Join us for a historical journey as we explore the past and present of the Yellin Bell Tower Restoration and Stone Renovation at the Vanderbilt Museum. The teams of skilled professionals will take you through the process of preserving these iconic landmarks, from the initial planning stages to the final touches.

The Story of Samuel Yellin Bell Tower Weathervane: Past to Present 1.5 LUs Samuel Yellin was a master blacksmith with an artist's soul and a craftsman's hand with an army of skilled smiths working alongside him. His work continues to awe and inspire present day artisans and scholars. Here is the story of one of his works of art and the challenges of modern-day artisans to restore and preserve a piece of living history.   Learning objectives for the Yellin Bell tower weathervane restoration: The presentation will include photos, historic documentation, and physical samples.   1. A brief history of Samuel Yellen Artist blacksmith and his significance to the Vanderbilt estate.   2. The story about the original production of the weathervane complete with historic documents. How this restoration project came together, and the funding was secured to pursue this project.   3. The challenges of a faithful restoration vs. replacement of extremely degraded parts of the work. Taking into consideration factors such as cost, previous repairs, restoration guidelines and condition of the work itself.   4. Overview of the restoration and Spirit Ironwork's approach. This includes an explanation of some of the historic metalworking techniques utilized to create the weathervane and material choices (wrought iron vs. stainless steel). How these ways of working and materials past and present were appropriate to the time period and the technology available.    This lecture will be presented by Rachel Miller and Timothy Miller. Rachel has been an Artist blacksmith and Business owner for over 20 years. She has a BFA in Sculpture form Philadelphia College of the Arts and extensive experience in metalworking and the historic preservation of hand forged metalwork. Along with her business partner and brother, Master Blacksmith Timothy Miller she was awarded the 2020 Stanford White Award for Craftsmanship and Artisanship for their work on the preservation of Henry Street Settlement's historic railings in NYC from Institute of Classical Architecture and Art. They have been the owners of Spirit Ironworks in Bayport, NY for over 20 years and specialize in hand forged metalwork and historical restoration. Timothy Miller has a BFA in metalsmithing in SUNY New Paltz and has honed his craft thru constant study and practice since 1994.

Stone Restoration at the Vanderbilt Museum 1.5 LUs Eagle’s Nest is the summer home of William K. Vanderbilt II, the great-grandson of Cornelius Vanderbilt. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Eagle’s Nest was built initially in 1910 as a small English cottage. Over the next 30 years, the house grew into the sprawling 24 room Spanish-Revival mansion that is seen today. Eagle’s Nest was designed by famed architects Warren and Wetmore, who took inspiration from the architecture of Spain and Northern Africa and adorned with ironwork made by master craftsman Samuel Yellin. Unique among many mansions, Eagle’s Nest was not only built with living space for Mr. Vanderbilt and his family, but also museum space where Vanderbilt could showcase the thousands of natural history and cultural specimens he had collected from his travels. Like any historic building, it requires restoration over time. Several buildings were experiencing deterioration of their cast stonework, masonry, and stucco facades, particularly the Mansion’s entry portico, Bell Tower and the Marine Museum – “Hall of Fishes”. The deterioration includes spalling and cracking of the cast stone detailing, walls, chimneys, cornices, decorative ornamental sculptural cast stone elements, and exterior stucco wall finishes. While the county has been able to address the stucco repairs on the exterior walls, the more complex areas of ornamentation including the stonework continued to deteriorate further. The restored stonework was required to bea precast material that duplicated the original material, texture, and color. This program will explore the restoration process and results. Learning Objectives: 1. Brief history and overview of the building and its architecture. 2. 3D scanning and historical investigation of the stonework to be restored, including probes and Historical restoration specialist review. 3. Fabrication of the replacement stonework. 4. Improving the structural connection and weatherproofing details. Jason Hirschhorn, President of Corinthian Cast Stone James Havrilla, RA, Assistant Studio Director/Associate, H2M architects + engineers Erik Heuler, RA, LEE AP, Sr. Project Architect, H2M architects + engineers

When: October 4, 2023 Where: Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium 180 Little Neck Rd, Centerport, NY 11721 Time: 6-9pm Refreshments will be served.

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