Wilson House (Oyster Bay, New York) facts for kids
The Wilson House is a very old home in Oyster Bay, New York. It was built in the 1750s and is still standing in its original spot. This house is a great example of a special building style called "saltbox" architecture. These houses often face south and have a unique sloped roof at the back.
Two exciting stories are told about famous people who might have visited the house. One story says that Marquis de Talleyrand, a French leader, stayed there in the 1790s while escaping a difficult time in France called the 'Reign of Terror'. Another story says that President George Washington stopped by and spoke to children from the porch on April 24, 1790. These legends make this already special old house even more interesting. Today, you can learn about the Wilson House on the Oyster Bay History Walk audio tour.
A Look Back at the Wilson House
This small house is known as the Wilson House. It is one of the oldest homes in Oyster Bay that remains on its first location. The house gets its name from Harry Wilson. He lived here for more than sixty years in the middle of the 1800s. Mr. Wilson was a cooper, which means he made barrels. He also served as a leader at the nearby Christ Church.
Even though it is named for Harry Wilson, the house itself is much older. It dates back to the 1750s. It is a classic example of saltbox architecture. This style describes houses that usually face south. They have a long, sloping roof at the back that ends low to the ground. These homes were built to let in lots of sunlight to the front rooms. The tapering northern part of the house was often used as a kitchen or cooking area.
The Wilson House did not always look exactly like a saltbox house. A picture from 1890 shows that the sloped back section was added later. It had different wood and color. The four windows above the front door were added in the 1900s. The shutters with the moon cut-outs were also new additions. The chimney is original, but the outside walls, which are now clapboard, were once covered with natural wood shingles.
Famous Visitors and Legends
Two popular stories are always told about famous people visiting the Wilson House. However, no one has ever fully proven these stories.
One legend says that the Marquis de Talleyrand spent a night here in the 1790s. He was supposedly fleeing from the "Reign of Terror" in France. Talleyrand did live on Long Island from 1794 to 1796. After that, he went back to France to become Napoleon's foreign secretary.
The other lasting story is that President George Washington stopped here. He is said to have spoken to local children from the porch of the Wilson House. This was supposedly on April 24, 1790. We know that Washington spent the night at the Youngs' House. This house was just down the road in Oyster Bay Cove.
However, in Washington’s own diary, he wrote that he left Mr. Youngs' house before 6:00 AM. He then passed Musketa Cove (which is now Glen Cove). He ate breakfast at Mr. Onderdonks, which is now a restaurant in Roslyn. If Washington did stop at the Wilson House to speak to the children of Oyster Bay, it must have been very early and very quick.
These legends might have some truth to them. They certainly add more interest to this already special old home. It is one of the last houses of its kind on Long Island.
