Brookhaven Town marks East Setauket’s 350th anniversary with $10G presentation

Brookhaven Town officials marked the 350th anniversary of an historic East Setauket house with funds to fight the spread of invasive plants at a nearby beach.

Town officials and Legis. Kara Hahn (D-East Setauket) gathered with members of the Ward Melville Heritage Organization on Monday at Brewster House, believed to be the oldest house in Brookhaven. The house was home to six generations of the Brewster family and served in the Revolutionary War era as a tavern and general store, officials said.

“East Setauket has a rich history that dates back to the first settlers in Brookhaven Town, and the Brewster House is a lasting part of that history,” Supervisor Edward P. Romaine said in a statement. “Thanks to the Ward Melville Heritage Organization, historic landmarks like this have been preserved for future generations to enjoy and learn more about how we got to where we are today.”

As part of the ceremony, Romaine and Councilwoman Valerie Cartright presented a $10,258 check to Ward Melville Heritage Organization members to pay for removal of perennial pepperweed from West Meadow Beach. The grant was funded by the town and the state Department of Environmental Conservation. Volunteers and students organized by the heritage organization have studied the impact of non-native species at the beach and incorporated their findings in summer marsh science curriculums, officials said.

CARL MACGOWAN

By Carl MacGowan

carl.macgowan@newsday.comCarlMacGowan

Carl MacGowan is a Long Island native who covers Brookhaven Town after having previously covered Smithtown, Suffolk County courts and numerous spot news and feature stories over his 20-plus year career at Newsday.