Landmarking the Pyrrhus Concer Homestead

A photo showing the Pyrrhus Concer Homestead historic marker, on the site where the house once stood. It reads: “Site of Pyrrhus Concer (1814-197) Homestead / Born indentured; Sold into slavery; Gained freedom; Legendary whaler; Prominent resident; Devout Christian; Philanthropist / Village of Southampton 2015” (source)

On January 11, 2021, after many years of advocacy from the Southampton and greater Long Island preservation community, the Pyrrhus Concer Homestead became a Landmark in the Village and Town of Southampton.

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The story of the Pyrrhus Concer Homestead begins almost 200 years ago, when Mr. Concer acquired his Southampton homestead from his grandparents. Mr. Concer was born into slavery, becoming a prominent African American whaler who grew his Southampton homestead over the years.

In 2013, the property at 51 Pond Lane was acquired by a couple who petitioned the Village of Southampton's Board of Architectural Review for a demolition permit. At this time, a large grassroots community effort began to save the Pyrrhus Concer House, forming the Pyrrhus Concer Action Committee. While initially denied, the demolition permit application was ultimately successful. Following demolition of this historically and architecturally significant structure, the private owners walked away from their property, now vacant.

At the urging of the Pyrrhus Concer Action Committee, including Dr. Georgette Grier-Key, Brenda Simmons, Tom Edmonds, Lucius Ware, and Sally Spanburgh, as well as regional organizational efforts by Preservation Long Island, in 2015 the Town of Southampton used Community Preservation Funds to purchase the Pyrrhus Concer Homestead. At this point, a plan to carefully reconstruct his house, which had been documented prior to demolition, was born. Support from Assemblymember Fred Thiele and AIA Peconic were critical to this effort.

Local landmark designation, supported by the Preservation League of NYS, is an initial step in the reconstruction and reinterpretation process. Pyrrhus Concer's life is extremely well-documented and work can now begin to create a center celebrating his life and importance to the Southampton community. As only the second property connected to African American history in Southampton to receive local landmark designation, we hope that the story of this homestead can serve as both a lesson and inspiration for future communities to document, preserve, and interpret their full history.