Remnants of Colonial Living On Eastern Long Island - The William Smith Land
William “Tangier” Smith owned approximately 64,000 acres, in Suffolk County on Long Island. Through the years the estate would be divided and many times parts were given to the children of the Smith family and sold off or donated. Three sections of the estate are preserved in three different locations: The Manor of St. George in Mastic, William Floyd Estate and the Longwood Estate Park.
When William Smith died in 1705, the Manor of St. George property was inherited by his son, Major William Henry Smith, and he built the manor house. During the American Revolution, British loyalist soldiers occupied the manor house and built a fort. In 1955, a trust was set up by Eugenie Annie Tangier Smith to maintain Manor of St. George.
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Around 1716, Richard Floyd acquired 4,000 acres of the estate and he ran a prosperous northern plantation. The estate was given to his son, Nicoll and then William Floyd, one of four New Yorkers to sign the Declaration of Independence in 1755. In 1975, the property was donated to the National Park Service’s Fire Island National Seashore.
Longwood Estate was given to Elbert Clayton Smith, who moved his family here from California. The main house was built in 1790 and is on the the National Registry of Historic Places. When Elbert died in 1967, Longwood was purchased for commercial and industrial development. Local public opposition to the project resulted in the donation of the 35 acres and a few estate buildings to the Town of Brookhaven in 1974. Today it is Longwood Estate Park and is host to several community activities.
What you should know:
Manor of St. George - Neighborhood Road and Smith Road in Shirley, NY
They do not have a website or consistent operating days / hours posted anywhere which made it difficult to get access. I had gone three different times before actually being able to tour the house.
The guide was informative and friendly.
No interior photography is permitted.
There are walking trails.
There is no fee to walk the grounds.
You could spend a couple of hours here.
William Floyd Estate - 245 Park Drive, Mastic Beach, NY - For more information
There are walking trails.
There is no fee to walk the grounds.
Restrooms are available.
You could spend a couple of hours here.
When I visited the main house was undergoing restoration and there were no tours.
Wear comfortable shoes.
Longwood Estate Park - Longwood Road, Ridge, NY - For more information
Restrooms are available.
There are walking trails.
There is no fee to walk the grounds.
You could spend a couple of hours here.
Wear comfortable shoes.
I am aware of no house tours.
