Restoration in Progress: Upcoming Work at the Lott House

A Legacy Rooted in Brooklyn 

This Preservation Month, we're looking ahead to something truly exciting: in early 2026, the Hendrick I. Lott House will begin a major interior renovation and restoration. This marks a pivotal step toward opening the house as a museum, where visitors can explore the layered history of family life, farming, enslavement and freedom, neighborhood change, and the American experience, all told through the lives of the Lott family.

In honor of Preservation Month, FLH is looking to raise $2,000 to support this vital work.

The Lott family lived in the house from 1720 until 1989, making it the longest time a single family owned and lived in one home in New York City's history. The Lott House was a working farm that ceased operations with the last harvest in 1926. Their farm comprised what is now the Marine Park neighborhood. Our museum's collection includes many of the family's original belongings, like farm tools, photos, clothing, and furniture. These objects were used by the people who lived here, helping us tell their personal stories in a real and meaningful way.

Steps Along the Way

The house was landmarked in 1989 and was later purchased by the City of New York in 2002. Since then, Marine Park residents have helped protect and preserve it. The exterior was fully restored in 2016 and received a fresh coat of paint in 2024 through the Historic House Trust's "Paint to Preserve" program. Now that the outside is complete, restoration work is moving indoors.

Restoration with Purpose 

Significant changes are happening to the Lott House to ensure it’s safe, accessible, and ready to welcome visitors. The upcoming interior renovation will bring transformative updates while preserving the house’s historic character, allowing us to open the doors year-round.

The renovation is expected to take 18 to 24 months and key improvements include:

• Replacing outdated cloth-covered wiring with safe, contemporary electrical systems and lighting.

• Restore original architectural elements, including early 19th-century wallpaper and fixtures, to enhance the home's historic character.

• Structural repairs to stabilize floors and walls, ensuring the building's long-term stability.

• The installation of a modern heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system throughout the house.

• Significant ADA accessibility upgrades, including ramps, widened hallways, and an accessible bathroom, will make the site more inclusive to visitors.

A particularly meaningful part of the project is opening a hidden garret space where enslaved or formerly enslaved people are believed to have lived. This space offers a rare glimpse into the lives of those whose stories have often been overlooked.

Together, We Can Preserve This Place

“It’s finally time, it has been over 10 years since the exterior work was completed and we cannot wait for this next phase to start,” said Alyssa Loorya, PhD, President of Friends of the Lott House, and principal of Chrysalis Archeology. “We are eager to open the doors and invite the community in to share in the rich history – not only the history of the Lott family, but of the community and south Brooklyn; it’s a New York City story.” 

While the City of New York is funding major preservation and restoration work at the Lott House, we depend on donor support. Your gift ensures the continued care and daily stewardship of the Lott House, helping to fund educational and public programming, routine maintenance, and essential operations. In addition, your donation helps cover critical needs such as purchasing archival supplies and supporting off-site, long-term storage to safeguard our historic collection during the capital project.

Your generosity allows us to preserve not just the structure but the stories, education, and community engagement that make the Lott House a living part of Brooklyn’s history.

Here's how you can get involved:

• Donate to help us protect and share this incredible piece of history.

• Volunteer your time.

• Spread the word so more people can learn about the Lott House and why it matters.

• Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date on the capital project and get a behind-the-scenes look at our work.

• Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest updates, event announcements, and stories from the Lott House.

Let's make history together!