Preservation of historic sites and artifacts is one of the primary methods of retaining community image, spirit, and pride. And with Long Island’s rich, centuries-long history, there’s no shortage of historic landmarks and events that truly put us on the world stage. From the Culper Spy Ring in Setauket, to Tesla’ Wardenclyffe Lab in Shoreham, Long Island stands out, and we owe much of that the efforts of the community stakeholders of today for ensuring such sites remain intact.
Such is the case for the famed Avery Homestead in East Patchogue. The property features four agrarian structures that denote the homestead’s status as the 200-acre Swan River Nursery from 1898 to 1982. The property has faced-decades long uncertainty after the death of the last Avery descendant, Barbara Avery (1950-2017). Her grandfather, Charles Avery, opened the nursery in 1898 and the homestead quickly became a hot spot for horticulture and agrotourism, as the location is just off Montauk Highway.
Swan River Nursery then became Peppermint Stik Farm in the late Twentieth Century, in which Barbara Avery raised miniature horses.
After Barbara’s death in 2017, the fate of the property became even more uncertain, as the threats of demolition and redevelopment set in. The property was considered “threatened” by Preservation Long Island.
However, the purchase of the property by Suffolk County began in October 2020, which received the unanimous approval of the Suffolk County Legislature. The Town of Brookhaven also unanimously approved a resolution agreeing to collaborate with the County on the acquisition of the homestead.
The purchase of the Avery Homestead was shared jointly by the County and the Town, totaling $1,949,450 in a 70%-30% split, respectively.
Local stakeholders and legislators responsible for the preservation of the property gathered at the Avery House Wednesday afternoon to sign a bill allocating $250,000 of County money to start the work of repairing the roof, fencing, infrastructure, and safety measures. Additionally, the bill adds a Suffolk County Park Ranger relief station on the property.
“This morning’s bill signing is a personal and professional privilege,” said County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches). “As a former history teacher and the Town of Brookhaven Supervisor when the purchase was completed, I am delighted to continue to ensure the preservation of Suffolk County’s remarkable historic properties and open space. Our ability to preserve and share our history through important acquisitions and improvements means our children and grandchildren can learn and appreciate our County’s legacy.”
“This is a great day for Suffolk County and for District Seven,” said Legislator Dominick Thorne (R-Patchogue), of the Seventh District, who has long advocated for the Avery Homestead to be preserved. “Last year, we passed Resolution 1515 to bring this historic location from the 1800s into the Suffolk County Historical Society. The prior [Bellone] administration did, in fact, put this property on the endangered list and authorized an appraisal, but then it sat for years until I came in in 2022 and went to work to purchase the property [Resolution 1515].”
Resolution 1515 passed unanimously in the Legislature.
“We already have our Parks Department trimming back the trees, cleaning out the fountains, and making the buildings safe for our public to come and enjoy our history,” said Thorne. He also added that the Park Ranger relief station will be onsite to ensure the protection of the property.
Thorne also shared a realistic perspective with The Messenger regarding preservation and reverence of history.
“You never know where you’re going until you know where you’ve been,” said Thorne. “At the end of the day, it’s wildly important to preserve our history.”
In attendance at the bill signing was Jeff Berthold, a family friend of the Averys who knew Barbara as a child and spent many years at the very house in which the bill signing was held.
“My mother was good friends with Barbara, she was basically like an aunt to us,” Berthold told The Messenger. “We used to spend Christmases and Thanksgivings here.”
Berthold said that times spent with his sister as children at the house included seeing newborn foals at the barn and having Barbara bring horses to his school to tell his class about the history of the property.
“It’s one of those things where they tear everything down and build apartments,” said Berthold. “I just wanted to do my civic and sentimental duty, trying to be part of saving something.”
Berthold said that Barbara’s wish was to see the Homestead saved. Barbara passed just a year before his daughter was born, whom he named in honor of the family, Avery.
“I sent in pictures and maps to the Historical Society and we started putting them out into the community,” said Berthold of the preservation efforts in their nascent stages. “I’m going to be on the committee with the Historical Society to keep this property maintained.”
Berthold says that the public enjoying the house, its history, and artifacts is something Barbara would have loved to have seen.
“She always loved being a part of the community, she was always proud of her family history. This is what she wanted,” concluded Berthold.
Future uses of the property for public enjoyment are still being explored.
The Avery Homestead is located at 36 South Country Road in East Patchogue.