Rand Realty's Warwick office donates $2,727 toward Seward/Mapes Homestead restoration project

WARWICK — Every year, Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty gives back to its local communities by supporting worthwhile organizations, projects or charities through the Rand Community Fund.
This year, Rand Realty’s Warwick office chose Florida’s Seward/Mapes Homestead Restoration Project as the beneficiary of their commitment to public service. Three events coordinated by the Warwick office raised $2,727 toward the restoration’s New York State Historic Preservation Matching Grant. The funds raised will essentially be doubled when the organization reaches its fund-raising goal.
Events in July September and OctoberRand Realty’s Sweet Onion Brewhouse fund raiser on a July evening featured live music and bartending by Rand and Hudson United staffers who donated all of their tips to the organization.
The Brewhouse itself donated a percentage of the night’s earnings to the non-profit organization and provided the perfect venue from which to view the historic site that is right across the street.
In early September, the realtor’s Warwick office hosted a “Rand-tiques Roadshow” with appraisers from William J. Jenack Auctioneers and Estate Appraisers.
Later that month, at Applefest, they raised even more money for Seward/Mapes with gift basket raffles.
“The Village of Florida greatly appreciates all of Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty’s efforts on behalf of our historic site,” said Florida Mayor Jim Pawliczek.
Roger Dowd, president of the Seward/Mapes Homestead Restoration Committee, seconded those comment.
“The Warwick office really went above and beyond in conceiving and orchestrating the events," he said. "We could not have wished for a more generous sponsor.”
Exterior work to be completed by month's endAs for Florida’s historic Mapes house, master roofer Wayne Coleman is on the job along with Tom Mance and a crew of carpenters.
Between the Alaskan yellow cedar shakes, copper gutters and other details, the magnificence of the original Queen Anne-style Victorian will become much more apparent in the next few weeks.
Weather permitting, the job should be completed by the end of November.
Then, the Seward/Mapes Homestead Restoration Committee will welcome volunteers to join them in winterizing and prepping the site for the next phase of construction.
The Seward/Mapes Homestead presents a rare opportunity in historic preservation to focus on the lives and accomplishments of two men deeply engaged in the American Civil War on different levels: William Henry Seward as Secretary of State in the Lincoln Administration, and William E. Mapes, as a Union soldier in an illustrious volunteer regiment that fought in many horrific battles from Manassas Gap to Appomattox.
Essential information The organization welcomes new members who share a passion in history and historic preservation. The organization’s website is www.sewardhomestead.org.