About the Restoration

The South Shore Restoration Group Inc. restored Bay Shore's Second Avenue Firehouse with support from local banks, private donors, the Suffolk County Legislator and member grant from Senator Owen Johnson. The building had lost its hose drying tower and its belfry, but old photographs from the Bay Shore Historical Society and the Bay Shore Fire Department made replacement possible.

The restoration architect, Anthony Szekalski, who directed the project received the year 2000 Historic/ Reuse Award from the New York chapter of the American Institute of Architects. He developed the architectural drawings that wre needed to complete restoration of the historic structure. The goal of the project was to remove additions, restore the existing historic elements of the building and reconstruct the parts that had been removed such as the bell tower and hose drying tower. Bay Shore based restoration contractor, Scott Brown completed the reconstruction of the building.

The program for the firehouse called for the open lower level to be used as artist's studio and exhibit space. The second story is living and work space for the Artist-in-Residence and includes a kitchenette, bathroom and bedroom. The back yard of the structure is now the site of a Memorial Garden, planted to honor Bay Shore's firefighters, past and present. (Click here to Buy A Brick.) The firehouse was rededicated and bell ringing ceremony was held on June 11, 2000.