Soil & Water District Prioritizes Belden House

The Belden House sits at the intersection of Belden Road and Route 6 in Carmel.

The future preservation, rehabilitation, and stewardship of the historic Belden House property in Carmel looks a little brighter after the Putnam County Soil & Water Conservation District Board of Directors voted June 15 to authorize continued discussions with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, Friends of Belden House, and other potential partners regarding the site.

The board’s action formalizes work already underway and authorizes the district to continue exploring potential partnerships, funding opportunities, and long-term stewardship strategies for one of Putnam’s historic resources.

Belden House is one of the last surviving complete historic farmsteads in the West Branch watershed and a rare connection to the agricultural landscape that existed before construction of the New York City reservoir system transformed the region, according to Cassandra Roth, chairperson of the Putnam County Soil & Water Conservation District Board of Directors.

Situated overlooking the West Branch Reservoir, the property occupies a unique place in the history of New York City’s water supply system. Located at the base of West Branch Dam, Belden House serves as a tangible reminder of the communities, farms, and landscapes that existed before creation of the reservoir. The property no longer serves an active water supply function, creating an opportunity to explore future uses while maintaining protection of the surrounding watershed and water supply system.

The district’s vision is to preserve and rehabilitate the historic farmstead as a permanent headquarters for the conservation district, while also serving as a Friends of Belden House historical and interpretive center, a hub for agricultural and conservation demonstration projects, educational programming, and a community gathering space.

The initiative also reflects the district’s ongoing revitalization.

Established in 1966 under New York State law, the Putnam County Soil & Water Conservation District spent more than three decades operating under county administration before successfully reestablishing independent governance in 2026. Following a year-long effort to restore the district as the independent public corporation envisioned under state law, the district is once again able to directly pursue partnerships, grants, educational programs, and conservation initiatives on behalf of county residents.

The district intends to pursue state, federal, local, philanthropic, and private funding opportunities to support rehabilitation of the property and implementation of the broader vision.

The effort builds upon years of advocacy by Friends of Belden House and recent discussions with DEP regarding potential pathways for the property’s future. District officials expressed appreciation for DEP’s openness and collaborative approach throughout the process, noting that the agency has been receptive to discussions and willing to explore creative solutions that balance historic preservation, public benefit, and watershed protection.

District officials also note that DEP has previously partnered with local governments and community organizations to preserve historic watershed properties, including the 2024 transfer of the historic King Estate property in Katonah to the Town of Bedford. That initiative secured the long-term future of a historic property while allowing it to continue serving important community purposes through local stewardship and community partnerships.

Belden House presents a similar opportunity to preserve an important historic resource while creating lasting public benefits through conservation, education, and community stewardship.

“What started as a discussion about the future of Belden House quickly evolved into something much larger,” said Roth. “The more we learned about the property, the more we recognized its potential to serve as a center for conservation, agriculture, watershed stewardship, education, and historic preservation.”

Roth expressed thanks to advocate Ann Fannizzi, Putnam County Soil & Water Conservation District Vice Chairperson Brett Yarris, and the Friends of Belden House for their commitment to this property.  

“For years, Ann has been the driving force behind efforts to preserve Belden House through setbacks, uncertainty, and countless challenges,” said Roth. “The fact that there is a real conversation taking place today about the future of this property is a direct reflection of her perseverance and dedication.”

Yarris said the initiative demonstrates what can happen when organizations move beyond discussion and begin building partnerships.

“Opportunities to advance a solution arose over the years, yet a meaningful path forward never materialized,” he said. “What makes this moment different is that we now have a revitalized and independent conservation district that is willing to take on the challenge and bring together the partnerships necessary to move the conversation forward.”

To learn more about the Putnam County Soil & Water Conservation District, visit www.PCSWCD.org

To learn more about Belden House and the work of Friends of Belden House, visit www.friendsofbeldenhouse.org.