Walt Whitman Birthplace State Historic Site facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Walt Whitman House
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 Location in New York
Location in the United States
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| Location | 246 Walt Whitman Road, West Hills, New York |
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| Area | 1.3 acres (0.53 ha) |
| Built | 1816 |
| Architect | Whitman, Walter |
| MPS | Huntington Town MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 85002549 |
| Added to NRHP | September 26, 1985 |
The Walt Whitman Birthplace State Historic Site is a special place in West Hills, New York. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This site protects the house where famous American poet Walt Whitman was born.
Contents
The Story of Walt Whitman's Home
A Family's Long Island Roots
The Whitman family has lived on Long Island since the early 1600s. Their land once covered a huge area of 500 acres. Walt Whitman's father, Walter Whitman Sr., built this farmhouse. He built it in 1816 in West Hills, near Huntington, New York.
Building the Birthplace
Walter Whitman Sr. was a Quaker and a carpenter. He built the two-story house himself. It was made with cedar shingles. Three years later, in 1819, his son Walt Whitman was born here. Walt's three younger brothers and sisters were also born in this house. When Walt was five years old, his family moved to Brooklyn.
Walt Whitman's Amazing Life
Walt Whitman had many different jobs throughout his life. He worked as a printer, a schoolteacher, and a journalist. During the Civil War, he was a volunteer nurse. He also published a newspaper. When he was 17, he returned to Long Island to teach. He even started his own newspaper called The Long Islander.
A Masterpiece of Poetry
Walt Whitman later wrote a book of poems called Leaves of Grass. When it first came out, not many people bought it. But over time, it became known as a truly great book. Many people around the world now consider it a masterpiece. The museum's website says that Whitman became the first American poet to be famous worldwide. His poems are now in every major language. They inspire people everywhere.
Returning to His Roots
Later in his life, Walt Whitman visited his old home again. He said he "rode around all the old familiar spots." He thought about everything from fifty years before. The lilacs growing on the property even inspired one of his poems. This famous poem is called "When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd."
Visiting the Museum Today
Preserving History
The Walt Whitman Birthplace State Historic Site is run by the Walt Whitman Birthplace Association (WWBA). This group started in 1949 to save the home. In 1957, it became a New York State Historic Site. Then, in 1985, it was added to the state and national lists of historic places. The site works with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
What You Can See and Do
The site has three main buildings. The historic Birthplace is now a museum. There is also an interpretive center and a gathering house. The interpretive center has many interesting things. You can see portraits of Whitman, his letters, and original writings. You can even hear Whitman's actual voice! He reads lines from his poem "America." This recording was made on an old Edison wax cylinder.
Fun for Visitors
The museum offers many activities. You can take guided tours of the house. There are exhibits to explore and an audio-visual show. The site also hosts special events. They have a poet-in-residence program. Plus, there's an annual poetry contest for local students. Inside the museum, you'll find furniture from the 1800s. There are 130 portraits of Whitman. You can also see his original writings, letters, and other items. His old schoolmaster's desk is there too.
Plan Your Visit
The museum is open every day from June 15 until Labor Day. It is closed on major holidays. During the winter, it is open from Wednesday to Sunday. There is also a gift shop where you can buy souvenirs. If you have a school class or a large group, you can arrange a special tour.
See also
- List of New York State Historic Sites
- Walt Whitman House in Camden, New Jersey
- List of residences of American writers
