Wilson House (Oyster Bay, New York) facts for kids
The Wilson House is a very old home in Oyster Bay, New York. It has stood in the same spot since the 1750s. This makes it one of the oldest houses there. It is built in a special style called saltbox architecture. This means it has a sloped roof at the back.
Two exciting stories are told about famous people visiting the house. One story says that Marquis de Talleyrand stayed there in the 1790s. He was escaping a difficult time in France. Another story says President George Washington stopped by on April 24, 1790. He supposedly spoke to children from the porch. These stories make the old house even more interesting. Today, you can learn about the Wilson House on the Oyster Bay History Walk.
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The Wilson House Story
This small house is known as the Wilson House. It is one of the oldest homes in Oyster Bay. It still stands exactly where it was first built. The house is named after Harry Wilson. He lived there for over sixty years in the mid-1800s. Mr. Wilson was a cooper, which means he made barrels. He also helped at the nearby Christ Church.
Saltbox Style Architecture
Even though it's named for Mr. Wilson, the house dates back to the 1750s. It is a great example of classic saltbox architecture. This style means the front of the house often faced south. The back roof then sloped down to a lower height. This design helped the front rooms get lots of sunlight. The sloped back part was often used for the kitchen.
The Wilson House was not always a saltbox style home. An old photo from 1890 shows that the sloped back part was added later. You could see different wood used for this addition. Some parts of the house were also changed in the 1900s. For example, the four windows above the front door were added then. The shutters with moon cut-outs are also newer. The chimney is original, but the outside walls used to be natural shingles. Now they are made of clapboard.
Famous Visitors and Legends
There are two popular legends about famous people visiting the Wilson House. These stories are often told, but they have never been fully proven.
The Marquis de Talleyrand's Visit
One story says that the Marquis de Talleyrand stayed here in the 1790s. He was a French diplomat. He was supposedly fleeing from a dangerous time in France called the "Reign of Terror." Talleyrand did live on Long Island from 1794 to 1796. He later returned to France to work for Napoleon.
President Washington's Stop
The other legend is about President George Washington. It says he stopped at the Wilson House on April 24, 1790. He supposedly spoke to local children from the porch. We know that Washington stayed nearby at the Youngs' House. His diary shows he left there before 6:00 AM. He then passed Musketa Cove (now Glen Cove). He ate breakfast at Mr. Onderdonks, which is now a restaurant in Roslyn.
If President Washington did stop at the Wilson House, it must have been very early. It would have been a very quick visit. These legends might have some truth to them. They certainly add to the charm of this special old home. It is one of the last of its kind on Long Island.
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