Greenlawn farmhouse with a past

Association Trustee Joanne McNamara, Executive Deanne Rathke, Town Councilwoman Glenda Jackson and Association President Russ Vollmer after ribbon cutting.

A Greenlawn farmhouse built in the 1750s and made famous by a double murder in 1842 has been restored and will soon be open to the public.

Officials held a ribbon cutting Sunday at The John Gardiner Farm House at the corner of Park Avenue and Little Plains Road. The house was given to the Greenlawn-Centerport Historical Association by John Gardiner, the last owner of the farm. The association has been restoring the house, which had fallen into disrepair.

The house will be open to the public first as part the “Museum Challenge” weekend on Oct. 20-21, when the town’s historic organizations are opening eight historic sites. Participants who visiting the eight sites over that weekend, all of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, will receive a one year family membership in each of the organizations. For a previous story on the challenge, click here.

Association officials have not yet established a schedule for the house but expect it to be open to the public periodically after the Museum Challenge weekend.

The house became famous in the 19th Century when the couple living there, Alexander and Rebecca Smith, was found murdered in the front parlor. A recent immigrant from Germany who was working as a farmhand was convicted of the crime and hanged. The house is also well-known for what seem to be perpetually blooming geraniums in the window, according to the association.

For photos and more information about the house, visit www.gcha.info.