A Southampton farmhouse is one ofr 20 properties and districts recommended to be nominated to the State and National Registers of Historic Places.
The Corwith-Jones Farmhouse is a Greek Revival-style residence in Southampton’s historic Hayground area. The house was built for the Corwiths – one of the earliest English families to settle in the Bridgehampton area – and it represents the evolution of a vernacular Long Island “Half House” that was expanded and adapted to reflect the owner’s increasing affluence and changing needs.
The home’s center wing was likely built between 1800-1820 and the main block was likely built following an 1843 fire. In 1866, the farm was sold to the Hand family, who raised potatoes. In 1908, it was sold again to the Jones family, who bred swine. The property was sold to Katharine Parsons Feibleman in 1967, who was a professional member of the American Institute of Decorators. Her restoration work sought to return the house to a more historically appropriate Greek Revival appearance while adapting it to modern living standards.
The State and National Registers are the official lists of buildings, structures, districts, landscapes, objects and sites significant in the history, architecture, archaeology and culture of New York State and the nation. There are more than 128,000 historic properties throughout the state listed in the National Register of Historic Places, either individually or as components of historic districts. Property owners, municipalities and organizations from communities throughout the state sponsored the nominations.
Once recommendations are approved by the Commissioner, who serves as the State Historic Preservation Officer, the properties are listed in the New York State Register of Historic Places and then nominated to the National Register of Historic Places, where they are reviewed by the National Park Service and, once approved, entered in the National Register. More information, with photos of the nominations, is available on the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation website.
The nominations were reviewed on September 10 at the 200th meeting of the New York State Board for Historic Preservation. In addition to acknowledging the milestone of this meeting with a special presentation about the history of the National Register program in New York State, the board recognized the service of former board member Jay DiLorenzo and welcomed two new board appointees, Ruth Pierpont and Felicia Mayro.
“New York’s history is one of our greatest treasures,” Governor Hochul said. “These sites are more than buildings or landmarks — they are powerful connections to the people and stories that shaped our state. By adding these properties to the State and National Registers, we are reaffirming our commitment to honoring and preserving New York’s rich, diverse history for generations to come.”
New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Pro Tempore Randy Simons said, “As we work to expand and diversify listings in the State and National Registers of Historic Places, we’re looking to identify and recognize the places that help tell New York’s whole history now and into the future. With listings, historic resources become eligible for support programs that can aid in preservation and rehabilitation efforts — which encourage community revitalization and enhance pride of place. Plus, through this process, we document our knowledge about our state’s history and continue to share compelling new research with the public.”
“At the Division for Historic Preservation, we are dedicated to expanding the State and National Registers of Historic Places and to connecting communities with the resources they need to help preserve and promote these historic assets so that pieces of our past can have a meaningful role in the present,” New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Deputy Commissioner for Historic Preservation Daniel Mackay said. “Listing in the registers is a critical step in connecting property owners with resources that can help them steward this shared history.”