Newspaper Sunday Aug 15, 1999 Amy Bull Crist's home Brick Castle
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000361
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Amy Bull Crist
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Page 6 GOVERNMENT The Times Herald-Record Sunday August 15, 1999
County covets farm of teacher
CAMPBELL HALL: Orange County lawmakers voted to apply for a grant to buy the estate of one of its most illustrious residents.
By Barbara Bedell The Times Herald-Record [email protected]
They called her the unofficial matriarch of Orange County. She was a teacher who liked calling herself a farmer. She was passionate about the land. Now, four years after she died, her estate could become a valuable public resource. Orange County legislators voted Friday 18-3 to apply for a grant to buy at least half of educator Amy Bull Crist's 113.8-acre estate
• a stretch of rolling hills and a 4,000-foot riverfront. Chances are the balance will be picked up by private groups and donors. Amy Bull Crist spent most of her life on the family's farm on Bart Bull Road in Stony Ford, Orange County. Born in 1906 in "the brick castle" on the property, she was the official caretaker. She died there May 20, 1995. "When you are born and brought up in a place," she said in a 1986 interview with the Record, "you want to do what's best for it." Her father, Bart Bull, gave her and her three sisters equal shares of the farm. When Amy died, the farm was left to the last living daughter, Molly Bazemore of Atlanta, Ga. When she died, she left the property to her two nieces and four nephews, including Michael Brown of Hampton- burgh in Orange County.
Brick Castle estate on Bull Run Road yesterday. The house was built in 1780 and five generations of the Bull family have lived there. Photo by Dominick Fiorille
Brown approached longtime friend and Orange County Parks Commissioner Graham Skea to ask how the land could be kept as a recreational and environment resource for the county. The land, whose appraised value is $615,000, included frontage along the Wallkill River and hills adjoining the Thomas Bull Memorial Park. Skea spent months talking with the other heirs about the possibility of them donating their share of the property. Not all were in a position to be generous but they agreed to sell to the county instead of dividing and developing the property. Skea approached County Executive Joseph Rampe, who was pleased to hear the property was available. On July 30, the Fiscal Service Committee of the Orange County Legislature decided to put the issue to a vote in the full house. "The vote on Friday was a positive move forward," Skea said. "Hopefully it's another step clos- er to having this magnificent parcel of land belong to the citizens of Orange County," Skea said. "The advantages ... are twofold," said Chris Dunleavy, an official in the county executive's office. "The Bull family has owned it since 1780. The family has a long and distinguished record of contributing to the county, especially through education and heritage." He said, "Four thousand feet of it fronts the Wallkill River, which is a significant environmental advantage." Dunleavy said the parcel adjoins the Orange County Park, which would allow for many more recreational opportunities. "We can put in an inexpensive wooden bridge and create recreational water activities," Skea said. "The grounds can be utilized with hiking and biking trails. The house where Amy spent her life can be used as a visitors' center," Skea added. Grants totaling $307,500 will be sought through Clean Air, Clean Water Bond Act of 1996. The Orange County Land Trust Inc., an environmental group, has pledged to donate an undetermined amount to the county. The acquisition of the farm has been endorsed by the Wallkill River Task Force, the Sterling Forest Partnership Inc., the O.C. Citizens Foundation and the O.C. Park's Master Plan Advisory Committee.
Four years after her death, the estate of educator Amy Bull Crist is in demand. Orange County legislators voted Friday 18-3 to apply for a grant to buy at least half of the 113.8-acre property.
Park named for Bull
The Thomas Bull Memorial Park on Route 416 consists of 652 acres. Orange County acquired it in 1963 with the acquisition of four dairy farms and a bungalow colony. The Bull family donated 189 acres in 1969. In recognition for their generosity in donating the largest parcel of land, the park was named for Thomas Bull. He built what is now known as the Hill Hold Museum on Route 416 in 1769. He was a descendant of William Bull and Sarah Wells, the first white couple married in the county in 1718.
"I'll gladly donate my share of the sale to the county to continue the tradition my family has so proudly given through the years," Michael Brown said. "We'll have our 132nd Bull family reunion Aug. 21 at the William Bull Stonehouse in Hamptonburgh."At least 400 are expected. As usual, we'll have a lot to talk about."
