Utah man purchases early Brigham Young home in New York


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NEW YORK — When we think of Brigham Young's house, most people would think of the Beehive House located in downtown Salt Lake City, but Richard Lambert has another home in mind.

Lambert is vice chairman of the Mormon Historic Sites Foundation.

"A letter came into the foundation," said Lambert.

The letter was from the owner of a small house sitting on about a third of an acre in Port Byron, New York.

"(The letter) said, would anyone be interested in helping to purchase and restore this property?"

The property was long overgrown with weeds, poison ivy, and considered an eye sore in the community.

"It was just forgotten and I was intrigued," said Lambert.

But beneath all the weeds was a small plaque.


I'm hoping we'll find his initials carved somewhere in the attic ceiling or somewhere.

–Richard Lambert


"This wood frame house built by James Pine in circa 1818 and later occupied by Brigham Young and family," Lambert read as he looked at a picture of the plaque from his Utah home Tuesday.

Lambert traveled to Port Byron where he learned the house was indeed authentic.

"There really hasn't been many changes since the time Brigham Young lived there," he said.

He purchased the property for $30,000.

"I'm hoping we'll find his initials carved somewhere in the attic ceiling or somewhere," he said.

He now plans to restore it.

"I hope that schoolchildren and church history tours and families will come through Port Byron," he said.

Though the history bug now owns a piece of history for himself, he isn't just excited about the teaching potential; he feels personal connection."

"Brigham Young is my great-great-great-grandfather," he said.

Now, the home is once again with family.

Lambert and other descendents of Brigham Young plan to travel to Port Byron next summer to begin the restoration process.

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Ashley Kewish

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