Restoration of Greenwich Audubon Center’s Historic "Mead House" Is a Milestone Towards Audubon Campus Restoration in Greenwich and Across Audubon

GREENWICH, CT—The Greenwich Audubon Center’s historic Mead House has been restored, a milestone achievement in a greater effort to restore the full campus. Supporters celebrated in August with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and tour.

The historic structure, thought to be built  in 1746 by Zebediah Mead, served as a home for the Mead family—a “founding family” of Greenwich—for many years before being gifted to the National Audubon Society in 1942 as part of a larger parcel of land. In 1943, the National Audubon Society opened the Greenwich Audubon Center as its first Audubon center in the nation, making this land and the properties on it essential to fulfilling the organization’s mission of protecting birds and the places they need. 

Until 2016, the Mead House was used as housing for the center’s staff. Now, thanks to this milestone restoration project, it is ready to serve that purpose once more.

“What first brought me to the Greenwich Audubon Center was the land, but meeting and speaking with people in the Greenwich community made it clear that the Center’s buildings also hold special meaning,” said Rochelle Thomas, director of the Greenwich Audubon Center.

The buildings also appeared to hold the key to essential staff needs. “We knew we needed a place to house staff,” Thomas continued. “The restored Mead House allows us to continue to recruit and retain people who will care for these special lands and the buildings, while deepening their connection to the Center and Audubon's mission.”

“Audubon did a fantastic job bringing together a group of people with all kinds of skills to lead the restoration. […] While historic homes are indeed irreplaceable treasures, preservation is truly successful only when these remarkable structures remain functional and can continue to be used as living spaces,” said Anne H Young, Executive Director of Historic Properties of Greenwich.

Members of Historic Properties of Greenwich volunteered their time to clean the building, an early step towards the full restoration. In 2024, a generous bequest from Reinhold Vogel made it possible to begin work on the house.

As part of the restoration, the interior of the house was gutted and renovated. Its historic exterior, clearly visible from the adjacent John Street, was maintained according to its historical appearance. 

“The Zebediah Mead House, just like other homes from Greenwich’s eighteenth century, is one of a handful we have left from the colonial days. There aren’t many of these historic houses left in town, so it’s up to those of us who can, to team up and make sure they’re looked after,” continued Young. “By doing so, we help keep Greenwich’s history alive for everyone who comes after us.”

Upon entering the house, many attendees expressed how impressed they were by the transformation—and the scent of fresh wood flooring.

“In Greenwich, we take pride in conservation and preservation, and in this restoration project, Audubon managed to combine both,” said Fred Camillo, First Selectman of the Town of Greenwich. “Thanks to Murphy Builders, preservation volunteers, and financial contributors who made this beautiful restoration of the 1746 Mead House a reality and a place that future generations will enjoy.”

“The Mead house is an important part of Greenwich and Audubon’s history and its preservation is a victory for our community,” said Eunice Burnett, long time Greenwich resident and advisory board member of Audubon Connecticut and New York. “I have been part of this organization as a trustee for over sixteen years and I have seen Audubon in its many different iterations. I have never felt more positive about the organization than I do now.”

“We are thrilled that we could partner with Audubon on this very important project—a noteworthy milestone in Audubon’s Greenwich and National history, as well as a step along the way to protecting another critical landmark in our own local Greenwich history!” said Elise Green, President of Historic Properties of Greenwich.

This incredible restoration is an early milestone in a long-term project to further restore the Greenwich Audubon Center campus and the many historic buildings it contains.
"The Greenwich Center is important to Audubon’s history, and the Mead house is important to Greenwich’s history,” said Mike Burger, Audubon’s Vice President for the Connecticut and New York region.  “Restoring the Mead house was an obvious win-win for conservation: conservation of history for the community in a way that supports conservation of birds and the places they need—Audubon's mission. We’re grateful for the support from the community to make this happen.”

“Our centers and sanctuaries are many people’s first introduction to Audubon’s conservation work—and their first opportunity to get involved in it,” said Samantha Putt Del Pino, Audubon’s Vice President of Conservation Action for the Eastern Flyways. “Ensuring these campuses are well-resourced and able to support visitors, community members, and staff is essential. The restoration of the Mead House is a major step towards this objective. We look forward to continuing this work at the Greenwich Audubon Center and across the organization.”

Moving forward, the Mead House will become much needed staff housing, allowing the Greenwich Audubon Center to continue its essential mission of protecting birds and the places they need in Greenwich and across the hemisphere.

“The restoration of the Mead House is not the finish line—it’s a beginning,” said Rochelle Thomas. “This is the first step in a larger vision for the restoration of the entire Greenwich Audubon Center campus. We look forward to continuing this journey and for what the future holds for our center and community.”