sfulgoni@thecoltranehome.org

Links to National Trust for Historic Preservation

National Trust for Historic Preservation

NTHP Article on Coltrane Home

A nationally significant historic site, The Coltrane Home in Dix Hills, is in danger. Listed as one of the 11 Most Endangered Historic Places by the National Trust for Historic Places, and saved from demolition following a worldwide grass roots effort several years ago, it remains in urgent need.

The Coltrane Home is a symbol of the extraordinary contributions of one of America’s foremost musicians, composers, and contributors to music here, and throughout the World. This endangered symbol needs support now to keep its potential alive.  This announcement is a critical next step in the process of restoring this landmark.

Friends of the Coltrane Home, which now owns the home, is in desperate need of financial support to complete the goals envisioned seven years ago when the home was saved from imminent demolition.  At that time the home was designated a local historic landmark by the Huntington Town Board.  It was subsequently listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has been acquired by the Town of Huntington.

But that was not the end of the quest to save the home—it was just the beginning.

Friends of the Coltrane Home, which is dedicated to restoring the Long Island home of John and Alice Coltrane in order to preserve and perpetuate their musical and spiritual legacies, needs to raise funds to first complete an historic structure report that will analyze
the condition of the house, and recommend a course of action for restoration and interpretation of the house.  Friends has already received matching grant funding of $38,810 from the State of New York as well as $5,000 from the National Trust for Historic  Preservation.

More than a restoration, however, the vision for The Coltrane Home project will:

•             Create a museum, archives and learning center, celebrating the Coltranes’ music and influences, and

•             Provide an outreach center for music education, appreciation, creativity and participation for students and adults through the schools and community.

The house, which sits in a quiet residential neighborhood in Dix Hills, NY just off the Long Island Expressway, is where John Coltrane, a pioneer in world music and a spiritual and emotional force whose following continues to grow throughout the world, and his wife
Alice settled down to raise their family.  Shortly after they moved into the house in 1964, their first son was born.  John took time off from his busy travel schedule in order to spend time with his family. Isolating himself in the second floor guest room with pen, paper and saxophone, he composed one of the most influential pieces of music of the 20th century, A Love Supreme. Although Coltrane did not write it as a message of civil rights, it nonetheless had such meaning for members of the African American community although its spiritual message transcended racial barriers then and  today.  Coltrane died in just three years later.  The family continued to live in the house until 1973.

Although the house has changed hands several times over the past four decades, it retains many of the decorative features from the  Coltrane’s time in the home.

In late 2003, Dix Hills resident and Coltrane fan Steve Fulgoni discovered that the house was slated for demolition to make room for three new houses.  He immediately contacted Town officials and initiated a worldwide grass roots effort to save the house, which drew letters of support from fans and celebrities from around the world, culminating culminated in the Town’s acquisition of the house in 2005 on behalf of the newly formed Friends of the Coltrane Home. Earlier this year the home was identified by the Society for the Preservation of Long Island Antiquities as one of the four most endangered historic sites on Long Island.

Since that time, Friends has taken steps to stabilize the house pending development of plans for full restoration.  Water and electrical
service have been restored, debris has been removed, mold eradicated, and the building secured.

Planning sessions with Coltrane family members, music executives, musicians, music educators and community members have been held to create the vision for the Home.  In addition to creating plans to restore the Home and developing an archives and learning center, music education and outreach is a key part of the mission. Called The Coltrane Legacy Education Project, this aspect of the vision seeks to help educate the educators and foster creativity and greater music participation for children and adults

One shining example of the power of the Coltrane Legacy is a program developed by a Queens second grade teacher, Christine Passarella.  The program known as “Kids for Coltrane” uses John Coltrane’s music to encourage children to reach their full potential by following their bliss.

To find out more about Friends of the Coltrane Home, visit www.thecoltranehome.org  or call Steve Fulgoni at (631) 860-9200.

The grants will be used to help underwrite the cost of preparing a Historic Structures Report. Such a report is a critical first step in any major restoration project because it provides a thoughtfully considered document for selecting the most appropriate approach to treatment and will outline a scope of recommended work. The report will serve as an important guide for all changes made to the home during restoration and can also provide information for maintenance procedures. Finally, it records the findings of research and investigation, as well as the processes of physical work, for future researchers.

The Coltrane family moved out of the house in the early 1970s. Fortunately, many of the architectural details from their time in the house survive. Unfortunately, the house has been vacant for almost ten years and has suffered as a result.

Before undertaking any restoration work at the home, Friends of the Coltrane Home will hire a historic preservation firm to prepare a historic structure report to guide restoration and interpretation of the site. The report will provide documentary, graphic, and physical information about the property’s history and existing condition in order to guide future preservation projects.

Our goal is to raise $75,000 for preparation of the report. To date we have received a $38,810 grant from the New York State Historic Preservation Office and $5,000 from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. We have also applied for funding from the Preservation League of New York State. We anticipate a decision on that application by the end of the summer.

But we cannot fund the report with grants alone. We need your help. Please click on the “How to Help” tab to make an online donation.

The Coltrane Computer in Dix Hills

The Half Hollow Hills Library in Dix Hills now has a computer database specifically dedicated to John’s music and pictures.  Much of the information has been donated by collector supreme Yasuhiro “Fuji” Fujioka and include some exclusive photos not found elsewhere.  The computer is located by the magazines, just past the DVDs, in a warm spot by a window.  Sit down, put on the headphones, and get ready to be moved by the music.

Director Steve Fulgoni giving flutes to excited children with school para Ms. Lee observing happily.

The second graders creating their music during the Cotton Candy Club reception.

Parents of children volunteering their time to make this project memorable and meaningful! Pictures of musicians Robert Johnson, Miles Davis, Etta James, and BB King with the legend John Coltrane overlooking the group.

Ms. Christine Passarella with her own children Victoria and Anthony standing proudly with her students.

The girls thrilled to receive autographed CD’s from Mr. Vignapiano.

The boys showing off their very own CD’s. They will be able to remember the music they wrote their lyrics to forever and ever!

Encouraging fans of the children artist Jeff  Hopkins and Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Joanna Massey. Both support Ms. Passarella’s way of teaching using Howard Gardners Multiple Intelligence Theory.

Boys getting ready to perform in honor of John Coltrane

Girls anticipating a wonderful day before their performance.

Audience getting ready for a great show! Director of the nonprofit group Friends of the Coltrane Home Steve Fulgoni in the audience! (Sitting far left)

The giving spirit of John Coltrane was all around us. Teacher Ms. Passarella quoted Elvin Jones, Coltrane’s gifted drummer. He said that, “John Coltrane was an angel…a real angel.”

The children dancing an original dance which they called Chasin the Trane.

The team making sure everything goes off without any problems.

Parents of our stars in the front rows with Superintendent of Schools Anita Saunders far left first row.

Students listening to Jazz guitarist Louis Vignapiano playing the guitar so beautifully. They wrote lyrics to his original music during the second grade. They sang and danced to these original songs during the show.

Class 2-119 and Louis Armstrong singing Bob Thiele’s It’s A Wonderful World. The audience quickly jumped in!

Holliswood School Principal Diane Hobbs congratulating the performers, and encourging the students at our school to be philanthropic and help the nonprofit group Friends of the Coltrane Home with their efforts.

State Senator Frank Padavan with teacher Ms. Christine Passarella. He was touched by these precious children.

Louis Vignapiano chatting with John Coltelli who is a supporter of the Friends of the Coltrane Home and was also reporting on the event for a Queens newspaper.

We share Steve’s dream of bringing life back to the house, fill it with children learning about jazz and how a musician lived his life in suburbs, and to inspire visitors with John Coltrane’s deep spirit and soul, which can still be felt when you walk through the rooms.