WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) called on Commissioner Rob Klee of Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), as well as Mr. Jason Hellendrung, ASLA, and Mr. Allen Penniman, AICP, of Sasaki Associates, Inc. – a firm hired by Connecticut DEEP – to preserve Waterford’s historic Seaside Clinic, which is at risk of being destroyed when the property is converted into a coastal state park later this year. In his letter, Murphy highlights the architectural merit and historical importance of the building – which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designed by renowned architect, Cass Gilbert – to Connecticut, and calls on the Connecticut DEEP to protect the integrity of the building for generations to come.

“The Seaside Clinic is essential to the history of Connecticut as well as the legacy of Cass Gilbert, one of America’s most prominent 20th century architects who designed some of the most impressive architectural creations, including the U.S. Supreme Court building and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce headquarters. It’s an invaluable structure that served as a vital medical facility for the sick and disabled and is one of Gilbert’s final designs, making the preservation of his last major project all the more meaningful. For these reasons the Seaside Clinic must remain a historic building and be preserved for generations to come. I urge the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection will take these compelling factors into consideration, and find a new use for this Connecticut treasure.”

The full text of the letter is below:

Commissioner Robert Klee
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
79 Elm Street
Hartford, CT 06106

Mr. Jason Hellendrung, ASLA
Mr. Allen Penniman, AICP
Sasaki Associates, Inc.
64 Pleasant Street
Watertown, MA 02472

Dear Commissioner Klee and Messrs. Hellendrung & Penniman,

The Seaside Clinic is a building that is essential to the history of Connecticut as well as the legacy of Cass Gilbert, one of America’s most prominent 20th century architects. The Seaside Clinic, a waterfront structure in Waterford designed and constructed over 80 years ago, has the historical significance as well as the architectural merit that deserves preservation for future generations. I urge Sasaki Inc. and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to take these compelling factors into consideration, and work together to find a new use for this Connecticut treasure.

Between its completion in 1935 and its eventual abandonment in 1996, the Seaside Clinic served as a vital medical facility for the sick and disabled. Since 1996, the facility has endured a long period of abandonment which, despite its incredible history, puts it in danger of removal from the National Register of Historic Places.

In addition to its historical significance, the Seaside Clinic was also one of Cass Gilbert’s final designs before his death, making the building important to his legacy. Throughout Gilbert’s career he designed some of the most impressive architectural creations of the early 1900’s. He designed the Woolworth Building, one of New York City’s first skyscrapers and the world’s tallest building upon its completion in 1913. Gilbert also designed the U.S. Supreme Court building, U.S. Chamber of Commerce headquarters, and numerous art museums, public libraries, and state capitols. Most importantly, his buildings grace all corners of Connecticut—from Waterbury’s City Hall, to New Haven’s Union Station—making the preservation of his last major project all the more meaningful.

The Seaside Clinic is an invaluable structure. It is one of the final pieces of Cass Gilbert’s legacy, as well an important part of Connecticut history. For these reasons the Seaside Clinic must remain a historic building and be preserved for generations to come.

Every best wish,

Christopher S. Murphy