Delamater-Bevin Mansion facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Delamater-Bevin Mansion
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 Location in New York
Location in the United States
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| Location | Asharoken, New York |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1867 |
| Architectural style | Second Empire |
| MPS | Huntington Town MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 85002514 |
| Added to NRHP | September 26, 1985 |
The Delamater-Bevin Mansion, also known as The Bevin House, is a large, old house with 22 rooms. It's a Victorian style mansion located on the north shore of Long Island in Asharoken, New York. This historic home sits on the Eatons Neck land, right by Duck Island Harbor. This harbor is an inlet of Northport Bay, which connects to Long Island Sound.
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History of the Bevin House
Building a Grand Home
The Delamater-Bevin Mansion was built in 1862 by a man named Cornelius Henry DeLamater. He was a very successful businessman. The house was designed in the French Second Empire architectural style. When it was first built, it was called Vermland.
Cornelius DeLamater owned a lot of land on Eatons Neck, more than 1,000 acres! He also owned a big factory in New York City called the DeLamater Iron Works. This factory made important parts for ships and machines. For example, they built parts for the famous Ironclad "Monitor" ship, which was important during the American Civil War.
DeLamater was best friends with a marine engineer named John Ericsson. Ericsson was born in a Swedish province called Vermland. Because of their friendship, DeLamater named his summer home "Vermland" after Ericsson's birthplace.
A Family Home
After Cornelius DeLamater passed away in 1889, his wife, Ruth Oakley Caller DeLamater, inherited the estate. She later passed away in 1894. The house then went to their daughter, Laura DeLamater Bevin. Over time, people started calling the house "The Bevin House." Laura DeLamater Bevin lived there until she died in 1920. Her son, Sydney Bevin, then became the owner of the property.
A Famous Writer's Retreat
During World War II, a very famous French writer and pilot, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, rented The Bevin House. This was in late 1942. It was here, in this very house, that he wrote much of his well-known children's book, The Little Prince. He lived there with his wife, Consuelo de Saint-Exupéry, and they often had their friend, Denis de Rougemont, visit them.
Later Owners and Restoration
Sydney Bevin passed away in 1960. The Bevin House was then sold to Charles William Foesell in 1964. Later, in 1979, a real estate developer named Nikos Kefalidis bought the estate. He started a big project to carefully restore the mansion to its original beauty. Sadly, Nikos Kefalidis passed away in 1998.
The Delamater-Bevin Mansion is considered a very important historical building. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. This means it is officially recognized for its historical and architectural value.
Images for kids
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Cornelius Henry DeLamater (1821-1889), who built the mansion.
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The back of The Bevin House, showing its employees' wing.
