Montauk Pioneer - July 4, 2008

Approaching the village of Montauk from the Old Montauk Highway or Route 27, one of the first lovely pastoral scenes to come into view is the historic Second House Museum. Sitting on approximately three acres of thick, green manicured grass and behind lush tall hedges, the eighteenth century shingled farm house, built in 1797, is the oldest and most historic building standing in Montauk today. Having been purchased in 1968 by the Town of East Hampton and the New York State Historical Trust, Montauk's Historical Society operates it as a museum. The varied, adventurous, and exciting past within Montauk during the pre-colonial days is far more interesting than any other village in the East Hampton Township.

For over three hundred years, since the first settler arrived here and utilized Montauk's 15,000 acres to raise cattle, horses and sheep, Second House was a refuge for shepherds and their keepers, who had to keep the cows from First House out of the sheep pasture, and make sure their sheep didn't stray eastward to Third House.

As the years went on wayfarers, laborers, families, boarders, and visitors stayed here and enjoyed the warm hospitality and home cooked meals. Today, remaining much as it was, visitors can visualize the way in which these former inhabitants lived.

The 1800s and early 1900s preserved and cherished guest books, that contain the signatures of many who commented about the comfort of the house, the wonderful fishing and hunting, the salt air and the beauty of Montauk's hills. But one disgruntled gentleman guest wrote, "Ticks, Ticks, Ticks."

In 1910 the Kennedy family purchased Second House to use as a summer home and, true to most American homeowners, they made changes and added ideas of their own. After the death of the elder Kennedy's in the mid 1950s, the house stood alone and unoccupied. Plans to restore the grounds, the old post-and-rail-fence, the ancient "Osborn pump" over the well and the dooryard rose garden were soon underway.

An amusing story that Dick White tells: "My buddies and I used the split rail fence wood for our annual high school bonfires until one year when we found a pile of cut wood neatly stacked by the fence." Sure does reveal how understanding and generous the Kennedys were.

Today the original, unusual curved staircase remains intact, along with a very narrowly stepped staircase. The great room fireplace with its bake oven is filled with old iron cookware and primitive utensils, offering a romantic, and aromatic sense of the excitement, diverse gatherings, conversations and meals that occurred in this well-used room. Beautiful, nostalgic heirloom beds and linens in the five bedrooms reflect a most refined past. Photographs, artifacts, maps, tools and furniture from a bygone era paint a vivid picture.

When in 1969 Second House became a museum, it only seemed fitting to have the Montauk Historical Society, with its strong, ongoing civic conscience and pride administrate. With the extraordinary Betsy White at the helm as President, and Barbara Sullivan as Treasurer and Pat Smyth as Secretary these board officers together with their members and staff of volunteers have given so much of their talent, time and tenacity which is obviously mirrored in all that we admire and treasure at Second House Museum. During the past year their efforts made it possible to lay a new roof, install new windows, and replace worn shingles. The beautiful grounds, hedges and gardens, which the Historical Society tends to, while the mowing is done by the Town to keep the property in pristine condition.

Master gardener Catherine Smyth-Keogh, known as "Cate" is the avid, knowledgeable, professional gardener and designer whose "green thumb" is responsible for the three magnificent gardens. At the Third Annual Garden Talk and Tea on Tuesday, June 24th, it was a privilege for me to see and hear Cate's presentation.

Along with several local ladies we were enchanted not only with the beauty of Cate's flower selections but also with her vivid, informative descriptions, her amazing design planning, and the excellent planting skills and garden care she utilizes. Sitting beside the splendid English Garden with its mixture of perennials, annuals and herbs, highlighted by the glorious L'art Treillage of twining rose vines, was an area of amazing garden splendor. Nearby, the sloped rock garden bloomed with soft feathery plants amidst well-chosen huge stones.

And that Cate surely did; for on the side of the house in all its glory there has been planted a magnificent array of the most beautiful aromatic and colorful roses and again she has included another L'art Treillage and even a fan arrangement of climbing roses against the shingles. Indeed, Second House Museum is nestled in an exceptional sanctuary. Open daily from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. except for Wednesdays, and the site for two major annual Craft Fairs, one in July, the other in August. The Second House Museum welcomes all, so get on down there.