One of Long Island's most famous historical residents, renowned American poet Walt Whitman's roots are so deeply entrenched in Long Island that not only are there roads and schools named after him, even a shopping mall (somewhat ironically) bears his name. Born in rural West Hills in celebrated Huntington, right on the Suffolk/Nassau border area, his birthplace is located on what is now prime real estate for suburbanization, but as of 1949, protected by the Walt Whitman Birthplace Association.
Born on May 31, 1819, Walt Whitman's arrival into the world was on the grounds of a farmhouse constructed by his own father just a few years prior. The Whitmans had been residents of West Hills for over 125 years, and enjoyed a long heritage of being Long Islanders.
The Whitman family sold the property in 1823 and moved to Brooklyn, and the new owner, Carlton Jarvis, and his family kept the house through many generations, until 1899. Ownership changed hands many times into the next century, until it was turned into a historic site on September 28, 1957. It was the 22nd historic site to make the list for New York, and was lovingly restored after many years of hard work. The State Parks Bureau of Historic Sites at the Peebles Island Resource Center conducted microscopic paint analysis to ensure correct color usage, and smooth wooden shingles were made to adorn the sides of the house once again. The front porch and shutters were replaced based on photos from the 1890s, but newer additions to the house, like a connector between the house and the caretaker's cottage, were removed.
The interior was luckily barely altered, so all the restorers needed to do was knock down the second-floor bathroom that had been added. The furnishings and scenarios found throughout the house are indicative of a scene from February of 1821, which shows what everyone would probably have been up to the week after Walt's sister Mary was born. The famous poet would have been just 21 months old at the time.
Although he was a journalist in New York City, Long Island, Brooklyn, and even New Orleans, his most famous works focus on westward expansion, immigration, slavery, and the Civil War among other things, and are poetry rather than prose. Considered a luminary and innovative writer for his time, he became during his lifetime the first American poet to achieve international acclaim. His works are still translated throughout the world today.
To visit, admission is $5 for adults; $4 for seniors and students; and free for WWBA members and children under 5. Group tours are available by appointment, and their hours are as follows:
June 15 thru Labor Day:
Open Monday - Friday, 11-4
Saturday - Sunday, 11-5.
(Closed major holidays)
Winter Hours:
Open Wednesday - Friday, 1-4
Saturday - Sunday, 11-4.
(Closed major holidays)
Walt Whitman Birthplace State Historic Site
246 Old Walt Whitman Road
West Hills, New York 11746-4148
631-427-5240
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