New York Home Has Ties To Revolutionary War!

New York Home Has Ties To Revolutionary War!

New York Home Has Ties To Revolutionary War!

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Most adult Americans are fascinated by this country’s history, trying to understand how the past helps make sense of the present and how its lessons can create a better tomorrow. Few, however, have the opportunity to fully connect with tangible evidence. Living in a property that has ties to the birth of the country, such as this 1900 home in Lloyd Neck, Long Island, New York, built on the foundation of Fort Franklin, makes history come alive.

During the Revolutionary War, the British Fort Franklin, as it was then called, was part of a bloody battle in 1781. When Colonial and French troops attacked it, the British brought forth their cannons, wiping out the soldiers in what was considered a slaughter. The fort eventually became a Jesuit retreat, but in 1879 it was purchased by Anne Coleman Alden, whose family came over on the Mayflower. She built the original house there, which by then was referred to as Fort Hill. By 1900, members of Anne’s family sold the property to William John Matheson, a wealthy chemist and businessman who built the brick and limestone Tudor mansion, which we see today, on the site of the old fort, expanded it and even built an indoor squash court. His daughter, Ann, eventually inherited the house.

More than a hundred years after the original house was built, in 1990 the Campbell family purchased the uninhabited property and set about a two-generation, painstaking restoration. Confronted by such an overwhelming task, a plan was devised wherein they would complete just one room at a time, restoring it to its last fine detail. By the year 2000, the Campbells were able to celebrate its completion by throwing a millennium costume ball in the ballroom. Now fifteen years later after having raised their family, this second generation of Campbells are ready to downsize and sell their labor of love.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the 28,000-square-foot mansion rests on ten acres with 1,000 feet of beachfront, 160-foot deep-water dock, three acres of award-winning formal gardens and a 16-car garage. Over the years, some parcels had been sold off, including a gate house once owned by Billy Joel and Christie Brinkley. The interior of the 3-story brick and limestone mansion has palatial public rooms graced with beautifully maintained panelling, leaded glass windows, stained glass, intricate wrought iron, inlaid wood floors with multiple grand fireplaces throughout the house of varying materials from carved mahogany, to brick to carved limestone, noting the massive carved limestone fireplace in the ballroom. There are 19 bedrooms, 14 baths and a luxurious guest apartment that includes two floors of living space with a large sitting room with three exposures, access to a rooftop balcony, full kitchen, bedroom and full bath. With many formal and family dining options, the kitchens, pantries and butler’s pantry are not only functional for feeding any sized group, but are beautifully appointed with marble and gleaming oak. Terraces abound with views of Oyster Bay, Cold Spring Harbor and Long Island Sound. Many scenes of the television sitcom, Royal Pains were filmed here on location. For more information.

The historical jewel of Long Island’s Gold Coast, Fort Hill estate, is in perfect move-in readiness and looking for its next owner. Originally priced at $24 million, then reduced to $11.7 million, current list price is $10.8 million.

Source: themariababaevteam.elliman.com