LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating the Lady Moody-Van Sicklen House
in Gravesend, Brooklyn, upon the occasion of its designation as a New
York City Landmark by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commis-
sion

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend the preser-
vation of historical landmarks that served to enhance the growth of this
great State, ensuring that the complete history of our State and Nation
is shared with present generations of citizens; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to congratu-
late the Lady Moody-Van Sicklen House in Gravesend, Brooklyn, upon the
occasion of its designation as a New York City Landmark by the New York
City Landmarks Preservation Commission; and
WHEREAS, After more than a half-century of waiting, Gravesend's
historic Lady Moody-Van Sicklen House has finally achieved landmark
status; and
WHEREAS, On Tuesday, April 12, 2016, the New York City Landmarks Pres-
ervation Commission (LPC) unanimously granted the prestigious desig-
nation to the early 18th-Century Dutch-American farmhouse, which was
built on land that once belonged to Gravesend founder Lady Deborah
Moody; and
WHEREAS, Lady Deborah Moody, an English baronet's widow, was an
Anabaptist who arrived in New Netherland, a 17th-century colonial prov-
ince of the Seven United Netherlands, in 1643; the Dutch granted her
freedom to practice her religion in North America; and
WHEREAS, The house, named in Lady Deborah Moody's honor, was expanded
in the mid-18th Century and altered in 1905; an engineers' evaluation
found evidence of structural material possibly dating from the 17th
Century; and
WHEREAS, This designation gives the home protected status which
prevents it from being demolished or altered without the commission's
approval; and
WHEREAS, An indispensable part of Gravesend's history and character,
the Lady Moody-Van Sicklen House is located at 27 Gravesend Neck Road;
it is one of a few remaining Dutch Colonial homes in New York City; and
WHEREAS, Mostly unchanged since it was built, the grand home's
original floors, beams, and fireboxes remain in the structure; the
initials of Thomas Hicks, who lived in the house in the 1800s, are still
carved on a beam in the living room; and
WHEREAS, Today, Gravesend's most famous house is owned by Anita and
Justin Anderson, who purchased it in 2005; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is pleased to have this opportunity to
express its highest admiration for the historic Lady Moody-Van Sicklen
House, and for all of the individuals who have worked to bring proper
attention to a place and time which merits recognition in the grand
panorama of the history of our State and Nation; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to the
Lady Moody-Van Sicklen House in Gravesend, Brooklyn, upon the occasion
of its designation as a New York City Landmark by the New York City
Landmarks Preservation Commission; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Anita and Justin Anderson, Owners, the Lady Moody-Van Sicklen
House and Joseph Ditta, Gravesend Historian.