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Historic Road Trips
Whether visitors to Brookhaven are coming from the east or west, the Long Island Expressway will start their travel plans. The road trips proposed here are designed to provide four different tourism experiences.
Stony Brook’s historic hamlet and shopping center: historic Setauket and the waterfront village of Port Jefferson.
Take LIE (495) to exit 62 North on Nicolls Road. Follow this to the Route 25A intersection. Go left there, following 25A to the third stop which incorporates plenty of history.
In the late 1930’s, philanthropist Ward Melville essentially bought up old Stony Brook, recreating it as a neo-classical village-an elegant sweep of shops overlooking the emerald village green and the harbor beyond. In the shops’ center stands the Stony Brook Post Office-with an splendid eagle in its pediment who flaps his 20' wings every hour on the hour. In nice weather, residents and tourists alike often contentedly enjoy ice cream ones as they wait for that flurry...
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North Shore Day Trip
Set aside a day to tour the scenic North Shore communities of Stony Brook, Setauket, and Port Jefferson. Each is long on ambiance, ripe with history, and chock full of places to see plus restaurants to visit. A car is a necessity.
Stony Brook Village Center and village green: Stony Brook's village center is a success story, shaped during the late 1930's by philanthropist Ward Melville into a neo-classical village-an elegant sweep of shops overlooking the emerald village green and he harbor beyond. In the shop's center stands the Stony Brook Post Office. This was the first automobile accessible shopping center in the United States . Among the shops are: Godiva's Chocolatier, Cottontails, Talbots, and outlets for Bass Shoes, Jones New York , Van Heusen, and None West...
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South Shore Day Trip
Visiting Brookhaven absolutely requires a day to the extremely beautiful South Shore . Communities here range from the bustling commercial harbor of Patchogue to the wind-swept dunes and blues Atlantic of the Fire Island National Seashore.
A car is the necessity. Time helps, too. A whole day at Fire Island would be too short. And some to the hamlets you'll visit might even tempt you into life-long residency...
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Thompson House c. 1700
North Country Rd., Setauket
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Long a focal point of local history, the Thompson House is open from mid-May through mid-October, 1 to 5 pm, Friday through Sunday. To the rear is a marvelous herb garden and the house itself is framed by boxwood. An architectural gem in the saltbox style, the house is full of historic furniture and, maybe more fascinating, period tools. Long Island historian Benjamin Thompson lived here. His father, Samuel was among the one-third most affluent men in Brookhaven and the Thompson Farm was widely known. Note that the adjacent road was called Thompson’s Hay Path. Call The Society for the Preservation of Long Island Antiquities at 631-692-4664.
"On the Way"
Setauket Neighborhood House c.1720
95 Main Street, on the east shore of upper millpond, Setauket. Built in the early 1700’s and moved to its present location in 1820. Used as a stage coach stop and inn.
631-751-6208
Setauket Presbyterian Church c. 1812
Main Street at the Village Green, Setauket. During the Revolution, British troops tore out the pews to stable their horses there. The present, classically elegant church, is on the National Register of Historic Places.
631-941-4245
All Souls Church c.1889
Designed by acclaimed architect Stanford White. Blue ceiling embossed with gold stars. In Stony Brook, the National Register of Historic Places.
631-751-0034 |
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Brewster House c. 1665
25A, East Setauket
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The Brewster House is the oldest dwelling in the chock-full-of-history Three Villages. Built circa 1665, its first location was probably at the top of the present 25A hill. In the early 1700s, a new end was added to the side closest to the road. In 1968, the house was restored to its 1845 appearance as depicted in William Sydney Mount’s famous genre painting, "Long Island Farmhouses." The building is owned and maintained by the Ward Melville Heritage Organization, which conducts special classes and tours there. Brewster house is open by appointment 631-751-2244.
"On the Way"
Roe House c. 1682
118 W. Broadway, Port Jefferson.
A community information center operated by the Chamber of Commerce. This saltbox, built by shoemaker John Roe, was the first dwelling in ”Drowned Meadow.” The other half of this house, divided and added to, has been lost.
631-473-1414
Mather House Museum
115 Prospect Street, Port Jefferson.
19th century home of shipbuilder John Mather. Now a museum. Period furnishings, clocks, and memorabilia plus barber and butcher shops.
631-473-2665
Miller Place Historic District
North Country Road, Miller Place.
Many of the buildings are marked with plaques. The Academy is of special interest. It now serves as the Public Library and the Miller Millard House. |
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Davis House c. 1750
Route 25 (Middle Country Road), Coram
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Standing perhaps 75 feet off Middle Country Road, the Davis House is an architectural treasure. It was once a tavern, but even before that—during the nineteenth century—this homestead was Brookhaven’s town hall, office to its town clerk and also justice of the peace. Simultaneously, Davis House was a prominent stagecoach stop. The house, purchased four years ago by the Town of Brookhaven, was recently accorded National Register of Historic Places status. Ongoing preservation is now underway with a new foundation and roof in its near future. 631-451-6298
"On the Way"
New Village Church c. 1818
Middle Country Road, Lake Grove. Recently named to the National Register of Historic Places.
631-585-7330
Hawkins-Jacobsen House c. 1850
Yaphank Ave. south of Main Street.
On the State Register of Historic Places.
Operated by the Yaphank Historical Society, featuring period rooms and museum store.
631-924-340 |
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Longwood Estate c. 1790
Smith and Longwood Roads, Ridge.
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The historic Longwood Estate belongs to the Town of Brookhaven. The property, wetlands included, was part of a vast original land grant given to William "Tangier" Smith. The house was built by Tangier’s great, great grandson and was occupied for well over a century by that branch of the Smith clan. The interior is now coming to life with appropriate furniture and period décor. Outbuildings add to the estate’s simple charm as well as to its historic authenticity. The Longwood Estate is the annual backdrop for the Town of Brookhaven’s September Fair.
Call 631-924-1820
"On the Way"
Swan River Schoolhouse c. 1858
Roe Ave., East Patchogue, just off South Country Road. Original one-room schoolhouse.
Open by appointment, April-October,
631-475-7265
Bellport-Brookhaven Historical Society Museum Complex c. 1883
112 South Country Road, Bellport. Known as the Post-Crowell House, it was built by shipbuilder Hiram Post. The stones in its foundation were brought to Bellport as ballast on ships. Deeded to the society in 1967 by Florence Crowell.
631- 286-0888 |
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William Floyd Estate c. 1724
North Country Rd., Setauket
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An enchanting site, the William Floyd Estate’s white house and red barns are set on rolling fields. Open Friday through Sunday all summer, the first tour begins at 11 am, the last at 4:30 pm. Brimful of early American history, this was William Floyd’s home when he signed the Declaration of Independence and soon thereafter, when he served in the first U.S. Congress. The house was occupied by the British during the Revolution. The estate includes 613 acres, the 25-room house, and 12 outbuildings (including ice house, pump house, barns and incinerator). The main house doubled in size around 1750, a kitchen wing went up in 1857, and the first bath in 1898! 631-393-2030
"On the Way"
Manor St. George c. 1704
William Floyd Parkway and Neighborhood Road, Mastic. Site of a strong Patriot victory (1780) during the Revolutionary War. Cannons on site.
631-281-5034
Havens House c. 1775
Old Montauk Highway, between Center and East Moriches.
Period and local artifacts.
Open Saturdays, 10 am to 5 pm.
631-878-1776 |
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Ketcham Inn c. 1693
Montauk Highway, East Moriches
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This wonderful structure appears suddenly at the road’s edge on your left as you’re heading east. The inn was the Ketcham Hotel until about 15 years ago. Now, with time taking its toll, the structure is owned by the Ketcham Foundation, which is at work on restoration. For a century, the inn was a major stop on the stagecoach ride to Montauk. And George Washington really did sleep there during his post-Revolutionary valedictory tour of Long Island. It is a living history lesson.
Call 631-878-8862.
"On the Way"
Wading River Historical Society Museum c. 1826
North Country Road at the Ponds,
Wading River.
Exhibits of local artifacts and history.
Free, open by appointment.
631-929-4082
Brookhaven Firefighters’ Museum
Middle Country Road in Ridge. Features antique fire-fighting equipment, uniforms, and memorabilia.
631-924-8114 |
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