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Proud Old Houses

Still standing, these homes help us imagine life as it was three centuries ago

By George DeWan | Staff Writer

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We see our history in our houses. Many homes of the colonial Long Islanders still exist. With an architecture influenced by the Dutch on the west end and by the English on the East End, these old structures have a story to tell. Here is a sampling of some of Long Island's earliest houses to be visited and enjoyed.

OLD HALSEY HOUSE, South Main Street, Southampton. Built by Thomas Halsey on this site in 1648, it is one of the oldest English-type frame houses in the state. Contains 17th- and 18th-Century furnishings, a Dominy clock and a rare 16th-Century ``Breeches'' Bible. (Check out Genesis 3:7. Most Bibles state Adam and Eve used fig leaves to make ``aprons'' to cover themselves; this one, a Geneva Bible, states ``breeches.'')

THE OLD HOUSE, Case's Lane, at the Village Green, Cutchogue. Built in Southold by John Budd in 1649 and moved to Cutchogue between 1660 and 1662. Also one of the oldest English-type frame houses in the state. Has 17th- and 18th-Century furnishings.

PIETER CLAESEN WYCKOFF HOUSE, Clarendon Road and Ralph Avenue, East Flatbush, Brooklyn. Built about 1652 and thought to be the oldest frame house in New York City. Colonial furnishings, with documents dating from 1670 to 1866.

VAN NOSTRAND-STARKINS HOUSE, 221 Main St., Roslyn. Built by William Van Nostrand in 1680 and acquired by the blacksmith Joseph Starkins in 1740, this is the oldest surviving building in Nassau County; has 18th-Century furnishings and archaeology exhibits related to the house.

VANDER ENDE-ONDERDONK HOUSE, 18-20 Flushing Ave., Ridgewood, Queens. The oldest fieldstone Dutch house left in New York City, it was built about 1709 by Paulus Van der Ende and purchased by Adrian Onderdonk in 1821. Serving as headquarters for the Greater Ridgewood Historical Society, the house is furnished in colonial style, except for one room, the Victorian Room.

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