With the restoration of centuries-old homesteads, the care of forgotten cemeteries, and the planting of Main Street’s iconic trees, two local men have teamed up to protect the past and beautify the Moriches Bay Area.
Bert Seides, president of the Ketcham Inn Foundation and a trained architect, is a lifelong preservationist whose passion began at 13 when he rescued a Model A Ford from a chicken coop. Today, his energy is devoted to restoring five historic sites under the Foundation’s care, including the Ketcham Inn itself, the Mary E. Bell House and the Smith Farmstead.
His partner in many of these efforts is Steve Scerri, longtime superintendent of Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, whose expertise and resources have helped transform historic preservation into a community-wide effort.
“I couldn’t do what I do without Steve,” said Seides. “He and the cemetery association have donated countless hours of labor and resources to help us preserve and protect these important sites. He’s more than a collaborator—he’s a cornerstone of our work.”
The Mt. Pleasant Cemetery borders the Havens House on Main Street and has become a key ally in its restoration. Scerri and his crew have maintained the lawns and landscapes of the Foundation’s multiple properties and spearheaded the restoration of the stone piers that once marked the formal entrance to the Havens Estate. Old timers will remember back in 1971 when the historic home was rotated 180 degrees and moved across the street to its current location.
Their most recent contribution is a “Welcome to Center Moriches” sign, now prominently displayed on the Havens House property. The duo also partnered with Rich K. Ely Tree Services years ago to line Main Street with trees, from the Forge River in Moriches to Seatuck Creek in Eastport. Planted as part of an Arbor Day project, the trees have matured into a living tribute to small-town pride.
“It’s been a privilege to work with Bert and the Ketcham Inn Foundation,” said Scerri. “We share the same passion for preserving the rich historical legacy of this area. Being able to contribute to that legacy is something I take great pride in.”
The preservationists work closely with the Chamber of Commerce of the Moriches and the Moriches Bay Garden Club to maintain the historic look and feel of the village’s Main Street corridor. They have been behind the effort to have its centuries-old buildings deemed historic landmarks and help the Downtown Beautification Committee with its annual efforts to enhance Main Street with seasonal plantings, decorative displays, and community pride initiatives.
Next on the horizon for Seides and Scerri is an ambitious effort to rebuild the classic board fence that once stretched from the Smith Farm to the Havens House. The area is now part of Suffolk County’s Terrell River Park, but efforts are underway to reconnect the sites and tell the story of Long Island’s historic, agricultural, and waterfowl heritage.
One vision is to construct a footbridge across the Terrell River, creating a walking trail from the visitor center at the Ketcham Inn across the park to the preserved Smith Duck Farm property, once part of the world-famous Long Island Pekin duck industry.
“This will be part of a larger heritage tourism trail,” Seides explained, “and it’s being mapped by a local Girl Scout working toward her Gold Award. The idea is to create a historic education complex that celebrates our area’s unique story and makes it accessible for future generations.”
The son of Stanley Seides, a local mink farmer and longtime Center Moriches chemistry teacher, Bert grew up surrounded by farming and has cultivated a deep respect for the area’s heritage. Over the years, he’s helped preserve barns, homes, and cultural sites throughout the region, including the Mary E. Bell House on Railroad Avenue, which earned him recognition from Preservation Long Island. He helps run a bookstore at the Ketcham site and a gift shop at the Haven’s property to raise funds for their community efforts.
Bert also serves as president of the Moriches Bay Historical Society and holds seats on the Suffolk County Historic Trust Committee, Preservation Long Island, and Brookhaven’s Historic District Advisory Committee, where he helps make sure the area stays true to its cultural roots. “The important thing is not just saving buildings,” Seides said, “it’s preserving identity. These sites tell the story of who we are.”
Scerri, meanwhile, has become one of the most trusted cemetery professionals in the state. After being hired nearly four decades ago by Mt. Pleasant board member Tom Sinnickson while working as a teen at Pastor Chevrolet in Westhampton, Scerri went from being the cemetery’s only employee to overseeing a staff of 12 and the largest crematorium on Long Island. His first hire, Tom Maher, is still with him after 38 years.
Steve’s also played a vital role in restoring historic cemeteries, including sites on Beachfern and Wading River roads, and is frequently called upon by the New York State Division of Cemeteries to advise and revamp facilities across Long Island.
“Mt. Pleasant is an excellent example of a mature cemetery,” Seides said. “Steve and his team know how to do things the right way—with respect and special care.” Mt. Pleasant also repurposed the adjacent town highway department storage barns for a chapel and equipment use, demonstrating adaptive reuse in action. Beyond historic work, Scerri and his wife are part of New Beginnings, a nonprofit that provides services for individuals with traumatic brain injuries.
As the preservation dream team continues its mission, their impact is clear: From restored barns and interpretive trails to planted trees and manicured cemeteries, Bert Seides and Steve Scerri are ensuring that the heart of Center Moriches beats with the rhythms of its storied past.