ldpd_20045457Collection of specifications for the Dennistoun M. Bell Estate (Amagansett, Long Island, New York)20045457Avery Architectural and Fine Arts LibraryThis finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2025-11-12 20:53:14 -0500.Description is written in: English, Latin script. Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library Collection of specifications for the Dennistoun M. Bell Estate (Amagansett, Long Island, New York) Trowbridge & Livingston Frost, Frederick G 20045457 English /repositories/3/resources/6866 1 manuscript boxes 1915-1935 Content Description

The collection includes 39 items: 33 specifications by Trowbridge & Livingston dating from Sep. 1915 to Mar. 1916, 4 specifications by Frederick Frost, dating from May 1923 to Nov. 1935; Construction Agreement; Bill of Sale for light fixtures; and a blueprint of Docks & Floats

 Biographical / Historical

Dennistoun M. Bell (1879-1954) began developing an estate in Amagansett in 1915, initially purchasing 155 acres. By his death in 1954, the estate had expanded to 550 acres, making it one of the largest private estates on Long Island. The main building, known as Broadview, was a 21-room Georgian-style home designed by Trowbridge & Livingston. Broadview was completed in 1916 and had required over 13,000 pounds of cement during construction.

In addition to the main residence, Trowbridge & Livingston also designed various outbuildings, including a large garage, stable, gardener's cottage, keeper's cottage, yacht dock, and floats. In 1923, Bell commissioned architect Frederick G. Frost to design a frame dwelling for the estate. Bell later hired Frost again in the 1930s to construct an ice house, garage, and incline lift building. The estate was said to resemble a small community, and had various amenities including a private fire truck.

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is available for use by appointment in the Department of Drawings & Archives, Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library, Columbia University. For further information, please email avery-drawings@library.columbia.edu.

 Immediate Source of Acquisition

This collection was donated by Steven Doctors in 2025 (Acc. 2025.003).

 Conditions Governing Use

Avery Drawings & Archives maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator or their heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron. Contact avery-drawings@columbia.edu for more information.

 Architecture, Domestic -- New York (State) -- Long Island Architecture -- New York (State) -- Long Island Dwellings -- New York (State) -- Long Island Buildings -- Specifications Construction contracts Series I: Specifications (Trowbridge & Livington, Architects)/repositories/3/archival_objects/1744055General Conditions of the Specifications for the Erection and Completion of a Residence, Garage, Stable and Gardener's Cottage at Amagansett, Long Island for Dennistoun M. Bell, Esq./repositories/3/archival_objects/1744056September 28, 191513Specifications for Excavation and Mason Work for Residence at Amagansett, Long Island for Dennistoun M. Bell, Esq./repositories/3/archival_objects/1744057October 5, 191514Scope and Contents

2 copies

Specifications for Rough and Exterior Carpenter Work, Painting, Glazing, and Sheet Metal Work of Residence at Amagansett, Long Island for Dennistoun M. Bell, Esq./repositories/3/archival_objects/1744058October 20, 1915 14Scope and Contents

2 copies

Specifications for Rough and Finished Carpenter Work, Painting and Glazing, and Sheet Metal Work for Stable, Gardener's Cottage, Keeper's Cottage and Garage at Amagansett, Long Island for Dennistoun M. Bell, Esq./repositories/3/archival_objects/1744059November 10, 1915 15Scope and Contents

2 copies

Specifications for Plumbing, Drainage, Water Supply and Fixtures for Residence, Stable, Gardener's Cottage, Keeper's Cottage, and Garage at Amagansett, Long Island for Dennistoun M. Bell, Esq./repositories/3/archival_objects/1744060November 24, 191515Scope and Contents

2 copies

Specifications for Electrical Work for Residence, Stable, Keeper's Cottage, Gardener's Cottage and Garage at Amagansett, Long Island for Dennistoun M. Bell, Esq./repositories/3/archival_objects/1744061December 1, 191516Scope and Contents

2 copies

Specifications for Hot Air Heating Systems for Residence and Gardener's Cottage on the Estate of Dennistoun M. Bell, Esq. at Amagansett, Long Island/repositories/3/archival_objects/1744062December 16, 191516Scope and Contents

2 copies

Specifications for Lathing and Plastering for Residence, Stable, Gardener's Cottage and Keeper's Cottage at Amagansett, Long Island for Dennistoun M. Bell, Esq./repositories/3/archival_objects/1744063December 16, 191516Scope and Contents

2 copies

Specifications for Cabinet Work for Residence at Amagansett, Long Island for Dennistoun M. Bell, Esq./repositories/3/archival_objects/1744064December 28, 191516Scope and Contents

2 copies

Specifications for Hardware for Residence, Stable, Gardener's Cottage, Garage and Keeper's Cottage at Amagansett, Long Island for Dennistoun M. Bell, Esq./repositories/3/archival_objects/1744065January 27, 191617Scope and Contents

2 copies

Specifications for Interior Marble and Slate Work for Residence, Gardener's and Keeper's Cottages, and Stable at Amagansett, Long Island for Dennistoun M. Bell, Esq./repositories/3/archival_objects/1744066February 2, 191618Scope and Contents

2 copies

Specifications for Tile Work for Residence at Amagansett, Long Island for Dennistoun M. Bell, Esq./repositories/3/archival_objects/1744067February 8, 191618Scope and Contents

2 copies

Specifications for Composition Floors for Residence, Stable, Keeper's Cottage and Gardener's Cottage at Amagansett, Long Island for Dennistoun M. Bell, Esq./repositories/3/archival_objects/1744068February 11, 191618Scope and Contents

2 copies

Specifications for Sewerage Disposal System for Residence, Gardener's Cottage, Keeper's Cottage and Stable at Amagansett, Long Island for Dennistoun M. Bell, Esq./repositories/3/archival_objects/1744069February 24, 191618Scope and Contents

2 copies

Specifications for Painting and Finishing for Residence and Garage at Amagansett, Long Island for Dennistoun M. Bell, Esq./repositories/3/archival_objects/1744070February 25, 191618Scope and Contents

2 copies

Specifications for Dock and Floats at Amagansett, Long Island for Dennistoun M. Bell, Esq./repositories/3/archival_objects/1744071March 22, 191618Specifications for Door and Window Screens for Residence, Stable, Keeper's Cottage and Gardener's Cottage at Amagansett, Long Island for Dennistoun M. Bell, Esq./repositories/3/archival_objects/1744072March 31, 191619Series II: Specifications (Frederick G. Frost, Architect)/repositories/3/archival_objects/1744073Specifications for Ice Storage House, Amagansett, L.I./repositories/3/archival_objects/1744074undated110Specification for inclined lift building. Owner Dennistoun M. Bell, Esq., Amagansett, Long Island, New York./repositories/3/archival_objects/1744075November 12, 1935110Specifications for garage at "Broadview", Amagansett, Long Island, New York For Dennistoun M. Bell, Esq. /repositories/3/archival_objects/1744076May 14, 1931110Specifications for the erection of a frame dwelling at Amagansett, Long Island, NY. For Dennistoun M. Bell, Esq. /repositories/3/archival_objects/1744077October 1, 1915110Series III: Other Papers/repositories/3/archival_objects/1744078Untitled construction agreement dated October 1, 1915 between Dennistoun M. Bell and William Crawford for the residence,, stable, garage and gardener's cottage at Amagansett, Long Island./repositories/3/archival_objects/1744079October 1, 191511Bill of sale dated June 30th, 1916 for light fixtures from Edwd F. Caldwell & Co., Inc. to Dennistoun M. Bell/repositories/3/archival_objects/1744080June 30, 191611Floor plan (blueprint) entitled "Docks & Floats for Dennistoun M. Bell, Esq., Amagansett, NY" dated March 23, 1916 prepared by Trowbridge & Livingston./repositories/3/archival_objects/1744081March 23, 191612