In 1972, after so much of Old Jericho had been lost to the bulldozer, Nassau County Executive Ralph Caso announced a plan to create a 20-acre historic preserve just east of the Jericho Meeting House, encompassing a number of historic buildings that are protected by local landmark status.
This is an historic preserve in the true sense of the word as Jericho’s buildings were not moved here from another location but still sit on their original foundations, unlike those of the Old Bethpage Village Restoration.
The Friends for Long Island’s Heritage used a carriage house at the Maine Maid Inn as a gift shop to raise funds to support the preserve.
Unfortunately the Friends’ plans were never realized and the organization was dissolved many years ago.
One of the Malcolm House barns was lost in 2007 and the remaining buildings are in need of continuing maintenance. Architectural preservationists hope that Nassau County will make vital improvements to the preserve, but, sadly, it appears that private funding may be needed to save these buildings.
In Jericho: The History of a Long Island Hamlet, written by Jericho Library’s local history librarian Betsey Murphy, you’ll find all of this information and more about the history of Jericho. You can pick up a copy of the book at the circulation desk for a $20 donation.
