Posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2012

North Shore Historical Museum Installs Court House Jail House Door

Museum President Brian Mercadante,
with the original jail house door installed
in the historic 1907 structure

GLEN COVE, NY - May 21, 2012. In another sign that the North Shore Historical Museum’s restoration of Glen Cove’s Justice Court Building, its future home, is nearing completion, the Museum has announced the installation of the building’s original jail house door.

The jail, housed in the historically and architecturally significant building, was one of many uses in the 1907 structure. In 2010 the bars on the jail’s windows were installed in their original position by construction supervisor Mario Gallo. Mr. Gallo, at that time, said he was no stranger at the task. He told Museum president Brian Mercadante that many years ago his father was responsible for dismantling the jail. He also said that his father had saved the jail house door. Mr. Gallo has now donated and installed the original door to the Museum.

The building, which is now a State and National landmark, was originally conceived as a court and jail facility for the Town of Oyster Bay, but it soon became a City Hall for the new City of Glen Cove. It has served Glen Cove in a variety of capacities – City Hall, a court house, a jail, a police station and, in fact, it served as a temporary infirmary during the Spanish Flu epidemic in 1918. It will now continue its history serving as a museum housing the artifacts and intriguing history of Long Island’s North Shore.

Mr. Mercadante said, “This door’s installation is one of the final steps on our way to completing the restoration of this historic building. We now have a building that in exterior and interior resembles the original 1907 structure. In fact the State Historical Grant Inspector was thrilled with our courtroom and general restoration work. It is our belief that in the very near future we will be able to announce the opening of this building to the public as the Museum’s home. The building not only captures the history of the City, but as a Museum it will make Glen Cove a ‘must see’ destination for visitors”.

The North Shore Historical Museum has been chartered by the New York State Department of Education to collect and exhibit artifacts and archives of Long Island’s North Shore. For membership or further information call (516) 759-6970 or visit our website at northshorehistoricalmuseum.org.