What a thrill to anticipate this Memorial Day weekend when the Steinbeck House welcomes visitors (by appointment only, see steinbeckhouseny.org) for the very first time. All the hard work over the past two-years has finally come to fruition. This is the place where Steinbeck wrote The Winter of Our Discontent, and Travels With Charley . The true value of this property, preserved in large part due to the Town of Southampton, can’t be measured in dollars and cents. It will be measured by the inspiration it provides those writers who will find peace and quiet there, with time and space enough to imagine, and to write their next great book. And even an hour’s tour of the grounds will afford the interested visitor a glimpse of the place that so inspired the Nobel Laureate. Book a guided tour to enjoy the expansive water view, stroll under sheltering trees, and step into the modest house Steinbeck called home.
SOUTHAMPTON TOWN BOARD VOTES 5-0 to PRESERVE STEINBECK HOME
The Town Board of Southampton showed their LOVE on Valentine’s Day and voted 5-0 to use CPF funds to preserve John & Elaine Steinbeck’s home as a writers retreat with low impact public access. Thank you, Tommy John Schiavoni, Supervisor Jay Schniederman and all Town Board members. You made history.
TWO years ago NO ONE thought it could happen.
But we did ! And we kept that vision alive with passion and integrity. Big thanks to the Sag Harbor Partnership who had the know-how, connections, and believed in the vision. April Gornik and John Avlon were early and steadfast believers who opened doors and minds to the importance of our dream to preserve John Steinbeck’s home. Susan Mead and Diana Howard (SHP) continue to spend countless hours working out the details. Colson Whitehead signed on early as Honorary Chair which was key. Thanks to this dream team!
More heartfelt thanks to all who spoke, wrote, and cheered from the sidelines, who helped in small or big ways. Each word of encouragement, every donation, every letter, and appearance at events added to our groundswell of community support that, in the end, was irresistable!
Together, we made history! We preserved a literary jewel that will shine far into the future.
We’re so gratified, we can’t thank you enough. More about next steps coming soon. For now, let’s savor this experience, appreciating what happens when people join together for the benefit of our local as well as world community.
To creativity & community!
with gratitude,
Kathryn + Maryann
We ‘re raising the last $200,000. Please donate! GOFUNDME.
Colson’s Family at Canio’s
The Canio's Books Blog 