To the Editor:
Ross Padluck’s letter to the editor (published on Saturday, May 1 in the Times Herald Record) about a developer’s proposal to tear down the White Lake Mansion House was right on target. In fact, as good a case as Padluck makes for saving the venerable hotel, he only cites part of the story.
The White Lake Mansion House as it appeared in the 1800s. – Photo provided by John Conway
Padluck observed that “built in 1848 in the Greek Revival style, the mansion is one of Sullivan County’s oldest surviving hotel buildings.
In fact, the White Lake Mansion House is the oldest summer hotel still standing in Sullivan County, and its link to the very beginning of the resort industry in the county that became known for its resort industry is undeniable. Writing about White Lake, James Eldridge Quinlan notes in his History of Sullivan County, published in 1873, that “for many years a few summer boarders frequented the place. In 1846, J. B. Finlay put up the first hotel for the special benefit of this class of people…But the business was not remunerative until the Mansion House was built [in 1848].”
Postcard by E.L. Tiebner Co. – Middletown circa 1919
So, at least according to Quinlan, who has written what is generally accepted as the bible of Sullivan County history, the White Lake Mansion House was the first profitable summer hotel in the county. The hotel remains in mostly original condition and is on its original site. It was a favorite of the early fishermen and golfers who spent their summers in the region, and there is anecdotal evidence that renown bootlegger Waxey Gordon was once a partner in the business. The Mansion House would rank high on any historic preservation thermometer, and for this reason alone restoration of the mansion should be the only option.
But there is so much more. Sullivan County– and the town of Bethel in particular– has made great strides in expounding a “green” agenda with an emphasis on sustainability. Repeated studies have shown that it takes approximately 25% less energy to restore an old building than to replace it, and research from The Center for Urban Policy suggests that it costs up to33% less to rehabilitate a building– no matter how much work is needed– than to demolish it and build new.
Think of it this way: Virtually everyone in America has gotten behind the recycling effort– no matter how inconvenient, cans, bottles, and plastic bags are recycled every day– but they have not embraced the reuse of buildings with the same zeal. Yet, as preservationist Donovan Rypkema points out, tearing down a single 20’x120′ building wipes out the benefit of recycling over 1.3 million cans, and that’s just in the impact the demolition has on landfills, it does not take into account the energy expended.
Rypkema writes: “Razing historic buildings results in a triple hit on scarce resources. First, we are throwing away thousands of dollars of embodied energy. Second, we are replacing it with materials vastly more consumptive of energy. What are most historic houses built from? Brick, plaster, concrete and timber. What are among the least energy consumptive of materials? Brick, plaster, concrete and timber.
Proudly displaying “White Lake Mansion House – est. 1848” this historic building may be torn down. Leni Santoro photo
What are major components of new buildings? Plastic, steel, vinyl and aluminum. What are among the most energy consumptive of materials? Plastic, steel, vinyl and aluminum. Third, recurring embodied energy savings increase dramatically as a building life stretches over fifty years. You’re a fool or a fraud if you say you are an environmentally conscious builder and yet are throwing away historic buildings, and their components.”
Still, it must be left up to each community to determine what level of significance is appropriate for preservation. A historian can only point out the importance of a building. The people have to decide to save it. Saving the White Lake Mansion House is a no-brainer for anyone who is listening. Let us see who is and who isn’t.
John Conway – Sullivan County Historian
Barryville, NY
*Editor’s note – To read more about this issue check out these links–
“White Lake Mansion House to be torn down” – Watershed Post
“Developer plans new resort in White Lake – Town supervisor optimistic about hotel, spa combo” – The Times Herald Record
“Mansion worth restoring” – Russ Padluck’s letter to the editor – Times Herald Record
“The Town of Bethel Planning Board is comprised of seven volunteer members and two alternate members of our community.
The Board meets once a month on the second Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Bethel Senior Center, 3594 Route 55, Kauneonga Lake. Work sessions are held at 7 p.m. prior to the day of the meeting.
The Board has oversight of applications for Special Uses and Subdivision of land. The Agenda is coordinated by the Building Department.” Click on the link for further information. http://www.town.bethel.ny.us/
The Catskill Chronicle 
[…] demolish the storied structure, but it remains.Further Reading:The Opulent White Lake Mansion HouseWhite Lake Mansion House – My ViewWhite Lake Mansion House […]
the mold abatment would cost a fortune in its self. its a shame. i figure that’s what keeps a lot of these places from actually being restored.
Everyone wants a beautiful restored building and no one wants to pay for it. Mold remediation, lead paint, asbestos, insulation, lead pipes, leaky tanks, foundational issues; its very, very expensive. New mechanical, electrical, plumbing throughout, solar/geo to help with heating and new insulation, windows,etc. etc. In the end it comes down to simple math. I think all the home decorating shows have supported the myth that it takes just 20 minutes and some paint and you’re done! haha. If municipalities want to save these buildings, issue *substantial* incentive to cover the massive cost of rehab and retrofit – not just a $500 tax credit. Put money into roads and infrastructure, support clean energy, give grants to the businesses that will have to make a living in good times and bad. These buildings don’t survive because people whine about losing them. They survive because of proactive municipalities, engaged citizens and developers with vision and incentive.
I hope they dont tear it down… It’s history, they should just restore it!!! Its a beautiful house, and the fact that its old makes it unique!
Story talks about energy to restore then rebuild , what about heating a drafty old Building ? If something historic happened there then save it. But maybe being the first Vacation hotel is not really that historic . Info not buy that it is better for the enverament to resort then rebuild , who knows what’s inside those walls.
how does one find more information on it being for sale etc? Geoff
Call a Realtor, perhaps.
This is a sad commentary on our times. We are seem so determined to cast aside any remnants that reflect on the traditions that were passed on from father to son, mother to daughter as families came and went during the summer seasons, enjoying all that nature had to offer in the Catskill area. Families came to take a break from the sweltering city heat and were entertained by so many comedians and musicians who became legends in their own time. Somewhere, somehow, the children of these families grew up to disdain the so-called ‘Borscht Belt’, and instead vacation in places like Florida, Vegas, and others that are far removed from their heritage. Instead of building some steel and glass spa destined for planned obsolescence, they should restore and update these venerable spas of old and make them more inviting to today’s generation of vacationers, while protecting and promoting the history of the area. Preserve our history, do not destroy it.
[…] the place. You don’t realize how many abandoned places are around here and they are gorgeous. The White Lake Mansion House was built in the 1800s and it’s a beautiful […]
Don’t take down the mansion it Is part of White Lake’s history. Once torn down that will be the end of a great piece of history. Please is there anyone who can restore it? I know it caught my eye as beautiful,which made me actually look up the history of the historic building.
This is just another example of how Sullivan County could be absolutely gorgeous. I agree with everything Lee says. I dont drive 17B often, but you can see the hidden gems all along there, the White Lake Mansion House being one of them. It will take a lot less to rebuild it and open it up for something (either touring, a new resort, or even a wedding venue).
can it be purchased for restoring?
In Reply to commenter Lainie-
The Catskill Chronicle regrets that it cannot provide an answer to your comment, however we suggest that you contact the Town of Bethel Planning Board with further questions. Best of luck.
Let’s face it. Even if this building is in disrepair, it is still one of the most attractive structures in a county filled with dilapidated houses/trailers and falling down bungalo colonies. Can anyone gurantee that if its torn down, we won’t be saddled yet again with another half built and or abndoned eyesore lining 17B. If SC wants to develop jobs and tourism, they should seriously think about cleaning up the junkyard that 17B is and make efforts to preserve any remaining sturctures of character and interest. Yes, Bethel Woods is wonderful, but you have to travel through some really ugly scenery of abandoned cars and houses to finally arrive at your destination.