Politics & Government

Historic Mackay Horse Statue Unveiled at New Home in Roslyn's Gerry Park

Mackay Horse Statue was returned to the Village of Roslyn Saturday.

The historic Mackay Horse Statue was returned to the Village of Roslyn Saturday after 93 years away.

The historical significance of the dates back to the early 1900’s, when the mythic statue proudly stood in Harbor Hills’ west garden. According to the town, The Mackay statue was modeled after sculptures commissioned in 1739 by Louis XV for the France royal palace, Chateau de Marly. 

One of two that once stood on the 648-acre Harbor Hill mansion when Harbor Hill was demolished in 1947 to make way for new homes, the statue remained in its original position for nearly a century in what eventually became the backyard of the East Hills residence of Bruce and Melissa Shulman, according to a Town of North hempstead press release.

When the Shulmans sold their property in 2010, they donated the statue to the Town of North Hempstead. The Roslyn Landmark Society pledged to supervise its renovation.

Town Historian Howard Kroplick who helped identify the ideal location of Gerry Park for the statue, and played a central role in the restoration process, said, “This beautiful new location in Gerry Park enables the community and visitors to the Roslyn area to enjoy the statue and to appreciate its Gold Coast history.”

After a three-year restoration, the statue has been returned to its original grandeur. The renovation included a newly-carved groomsmen’s head, creation of missing pieces and stabilization of the entire statue.

Franklin Hill Perrell, Roslyn Landmark Society executive director, the master of ceremonies for the event, said the work of art is the most "important statue installation ever on Long Island" in terms of its scope and cultural significance.

“This statue is a bittersweet reminder of days long gone, and the haste in which so much of Harbor Hill was lost," said Michael Mackay, the great-grandson of Clarence and Katherine Duer Mackay, on hand for the event. "It’s a miracle it escaped the bulldozer, and even more miraculous that the Landmark Society could bring it back to life.”

"I know that publicly-owned historic documents and artifacts help anchor and sustain communities, attract investment, and provide a destination for visitors,” said Town Clerk Leslie Gross.

Nassau County provided more tha $16,000 to restore the Mackay Horse, according to the town.  

“Having such an awe-inspiring sculpture sitting right in the heart of the Town is destined to intrigue generations to come to learn about the storied past of the Mackay Horse,” said Legis, Wayne Wink, D-Roslyn.

"By placing this historic statue in such a visible part of our Town, the Mackay Horse will become a permanent part of the culture of our great Town,” said Councilwoman Anna Kaplan.

The placing of the statue in Roslyn’s Gerry Park, in the shadow of Harbor Hill, is more than fitting. After all, Roger and Peggy Gerry, for who the park is named, founded the Roslyn Landmark Society in 1962.


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