Uncovering local history in Woodmere

It was during renovations of the building at 112 Franklin Place in Woodmere when Barry Wilansky, the executive director of the Tempo Group, a drug treatment facility, discovered Tom—on a sign, that is.
When the façade was torn down on the front of the main structure, the name appeared. Wilansky said. “I saw the name, and wanted to know who would know more about this sign and this building,” he said. “It looks to be etched in the stucco, in the concrete on the front of this building, at this point.”
According to Millicent Vollono, a reference librarian at the Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library, the website mynassauproperty.com lists 1956 as the year of construction of the present buildings. They have housed Five Towns Community Chest, the Five Towns Senior Center and Peninsula Counseling Center offices in recent years. There are two names listed on the property records for 112 Franklin: Thomas F. Mackin and a T. Carney Sr., one of whom is the Tom of Tom’s Cleaning Plant.
“Looks like the “Tom’s” refers to Tom’s Cleaning Plant (dry cleaners), which is listed at 112 Franklin Place in the 1956 Yellow Book,” she said. “A scan of a Sanborn insurance map from 1940 shows a dry cleaning plant at 112 Franklin.”
Wilansky said the current renovations allow for them to become part of a medical complex, where they will be included along with the other physicians located around Franklin Place. “Phase one of our renovations are expected to be done by November 2014,” he said. “It’s exciting for Tempo Group to be able to do that for the Five Towns.”
The history of 112 Franklin begins in the 1930s when the property was Tom’s dry cleaning plant. After an unknown amount of years, Carney Electric took over the address until about 1956, when Five Towns Community Chest and the counseling centers moved in. Around 1978, the Tempo Group was looking for a place to call home, so they formed a partnership with the Community Center. There have been two renovations with additions on the property since 1979.
“I’d be interested to know if there are more relics or signs remaining from the time when Tom’s was in business, and anything even before that,” Wilansky said. “I hope in continuing these renovations, we discover more relics from that time period.”