HISTORY OF LANDMARK FRIENDS
In 1992, SLT&CC was designated as a National Historic Landmark – one of only 2,600 in the country. The Club was awarded this designation for its significant role in the history of tennis documented by the over 600 photographs and other tennis memorabilia in the Prentice Room and our Clubhouse. Based on our Historic Landmark designation, we were approved by the IRS to become a 501(c)(3). SLT&CC Landmark Friends, Inc., was established in 2001 to engage in “charitable, literary and educational” activities.
It was Mary Lou's primary intent to find a vehicle to restore and preserve SLT&CCs extraordinary photograph collection of the history of tennis (dating from 1880s-1950s) as the conditions of most were in a very poor, fragile state. After a considerable search to locate the most prominent restoration/conservation professional, Barbara Bridgers of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY, was chosen in 2001; Barbara is the head of imagining and the expert in their photography department. Over 14, very busy years of scanning, retouching, enhancing and copying from over 544 original photographs, Barbara made digital copies of each. (In some cases, she needed to research clothing on specific players where mold, water and photographic material deterioration required “redressing” the player!) Additionally, each mat, hand calligraphed with dates, player names and tournaments, needed to be copied after editing out the stains, mold and faded lettering to replicate the original mat, each was then replaced in the original, simple, wooden frame to be rehung on the clubhouse wall. Further a database and digital archive was created to provide the club access to the restored images in the future. Today, as more photographs are discovered, Barbara is still expanding SLT&CC’s historic collection.
During the years of restoration work, costs approximated $200,000. Inevitably, the 100yr + clubhouse led Landmark Friends to more projects to protect the collection. Its vulnerability to sunlight, humidity and multitudes of inoperable windows for ventilation saw extensive window restoration and repair throughout the structure, including men’s, ladies locker rooms and the Pro Shop where many additional historic photographs also hang. The clubhouse needed better lighting which required new wiring and installation of vintage chandeliers. The antique tournament trophies needed a stronger glass case for safety and security and the historic, exterior club clock needed repair and replacement parts.
In 2019, LMFs hired the most reputable restoration architect and engineer firms to assess the physical condition of the landmark clubhouse. SLT&CC Board of Governors has assumed the project going forward with Landmark Friends undertaking the grant application processes to help underwrite restoration costs. In 2021, the NJ Historic Trust awarded SLT&CC Landmark Friends a matching grant that allowed Landmark Friends to begin addressing the structural deficiencies in and around the Clubhouse. This included:
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Removal of 5 layers of existing roof which uncovered bowed, split beams and trusses.
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Roof drainage upgrades and installation of new gutter lining for built-in gutters.
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Installation of over 20 piers beneath the floor to stabilize the foundation.
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Installation of two columns between the Prentice Room and Pro Shop which was originally a built-in fireplace.
The Clubhouse has been well maintained over the years, but many of these conditions indicated inadequate structural systems of support. The ongoing structural work with the help of a Preserve NJ Grant has resulted in significant improvements of the greatest structural concerns in and around the Prentice Room. Now that we have addressed the structural issues around the Prentice Room, the focus will be shifted to restoring the structural support of the locker rooms and Pro Shop. These repairs will be funded by a second grant that was awarded to SLT&CC Landmark Friends October 2023.
SLT&CC Landmark Friends is proud to be included among the "Weekend in Old Monmouth" annual Historic tour of about 33 important sites every May. Our SLT&CC volunteers have provided terrific tours to the public since its inception, 12 years ago, by the Monmouth County Freeholders. SLT&CC Landmark Friends also hosts an Annual Raffle to raise funds to support the preservation and restoration efforts of our Club.