Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve |
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Winter Cottage at Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve
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| Type | State park |
| Location | 25 Lloyd Harbor Road Lloyd Harbor, New York |
| Area | 1,520 acres (6.2 km2) |
| Created | 1961 |
| Operated by | New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation |
| Visitors | 460,254 (in 2014) |
| Open | All year |
| Website | Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve |
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Marshall Field, III, Estate
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Caumsett Hall in 2009
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| Built | 1925 |
| Architect | Pope, John Russell; Holden, McLaughlin & Associates |
| Architectural style | English Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 79001633 |
| Added to NRHP | April 30, 1979 |
Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve is a really cool state park in New York. It's located on a special piece of land called Lloyd Neck. This land sticks out into the Long Island Sound. The park is managed by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
This huge park, about 1,520 acres (615 hectares), used to be the private estate of a man named Marshall Field III. He built it in the 1920s. Today, much of Caumsett is a nature preserve. This means it's a protected area, especially important for different kinds of birds. The estate was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
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History of Caumsett Park
How Caumsett Got Its Name
In 1921, Marshall Field III bought this large piece of land. He built a grand estate house there in 1925. It became one of the biggest "Gold Coast" mansions on Long Island's North Shore. Field named his property "Caumsett." This name comes from the Matinecock tribe, who were the original people of this land. "Caumsett" means "place by a sharp rock."
Becoming a State Park
New York State bought Marshall Field III's estate on February 3, 1961. They paid $4 million for the 1,426-acre (577-hectare) property. After this purchase, it officially became a state park. In 1979, the former estate was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as an important historical place.
In May 1961, there were plans to build a new road called Caumsett State Parkway. This road would have helped people get to the park. Even though land was bought for the road, it was never built. Some of that land was later used to create other parks, like Cold Spring Harbor State Park and Trail View State Park.
What You Can Do at Caumsett
The old buildings at Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve are now used for many fun activities. For example, the old polo barns are used for horse riding lessons and services. Other buildings host programs about the environment. The Lloyd Harbor Historical Society also uses some of these historic buildings.
A Home for Birds and Nature
Most of the park is kept as a nature preserve. This means it's a special place focused on protecting birds and their homes. The "Caumsett Bird Conservation Area" was created in 2006. It covers about 1,255 acres (508 hectares) of the park. About two-thirds of this area is covered in trees.
The rest of the bird area has different types of habitats. These include salt marshes and beaches by the sea. This protected land is very important for many bird species. It helps birds that nest there, like piping plovers, common terns, and least terns. These birds are listed as threatened or endangered in New York State. Many other migratory birds also use this safe landscape during their long journeys.
Fun Activities at the Park
Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve offers many ways to enjoy the outdoors. You can go horse-riding, fishing, jogging, or hiking. Biking and cross-country skiing are also popular activities. If you have a special permit, you can even go scuba diving!
