Walt Whitman Birthplace, Long Island
Written: Nov 06 '09 (Updated Nov 19 '09)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Beautifully renovated.
Helpful staff
Cons: nothing worth mentioning.
The Bottom Line: The Walt Whitman Homestead is a small piece of Long Island history that I enjoyed seeing, even if not the full tour.
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| popsrocks's Full Review: Walt Whitman Birthplace |
Walt Whitman is/was a well known American poet and essayist. Whitman also spent much of his younger life dedicated to the local newspapers of Brooklyn and Long Island. He had his own paper for a short time, The Long Islander. He is probably best known for his self-indulgent essay (my thought) Leaves of Grass. Personally, I don't have high regard for his writing or his multiple positions on life matters and decisions. This from a person who doesn't understand or grasp poetry. Still was interested in learning more about the man from my home area of Long Island and who, as I did at one time, lived in NYC.
The Walt Whitman home is nestled in a section of mixed commercial, retail, and private homes just yards from busy Rt 110 on the border of Nassau and Suffolk counties.
Walt Whitman Homestead 246 Old Walt Whitman Road, West Hills, NY
The old farmhouse was renovated to it's original look in 2001. Back in 1949, the year I was born, a group of people started the Walt Whitman Birthplace Association (WWBA) to preserve, restore and open his birthplace to people to study in. The Walt Whitman Birthplace is a State Historic Site. This now happens to be the only NYS Historic site that is also on the National Register.
The WW web site has information in reference to Poetry readings, lectures, concerts, special events year round.
Our Visit
I happen to enjoy studying history and famous people of the past, especially if they are local celebrities or historic figures. I judge Whitman as more the former...but it seems that's just me and I'm in the minority.
My wife and I had just finished dinner with dear friends and were looking for a little something to do. We were originally headed for a walk through the botanic gardens of one or another north shore mansion. The restaurant we were in was in a shopping center aptly named the Walt Whitman Mall is a mass of retail stores and a few restaurants. In our travels on Rt 110 we spied a sign, "To the Walt Whitman House."
We followed the signs and were soon in a small parking lot with just one other car. The gal must have been an artist because I saw her arranging some canvasses at her car. We walked to the newly constructed Visitors Interpretive Center went to open the door...and found it locked. Looking at the schedule we realised the place was closed that day. We did however put our noses to the glass looking in at the printing press and a woman inside walked to the door and invited us in. How thoughtful of her. She explained the place was closed due to an art show planned and we couldn't get a tour that day but we could look around. Ha, we saved the $3.00 for adults, $2.00 for seniors and students, $1.00 for children 7-12 charges.
The Interpretive center was interesting with plenty to read and items of Whitman's past like a teaching desk and printers press. Many photos and words of the poet graced the bright airy room. A small book shop was available to those wanting to purchase WW items.
Through the large glassed panes of the center plenty of light enters in. We also had a great view of the farm house from there. Walking out the door brings one into another time and place. Actually when comparing an old turn of the century photo with the renovated house and grounds it looks much more picturesque now.
Because we didn't get the tour I did read that the house now is much closer in original design and colour than it has been for the past one hundred years. Many of the so called "upgrades" were taken out and original plans reset.
All in all I enjoyed our half hour at the Walt Whitman Homestead. It did bring me a bit more knowledge of the man and a bit more of a taste of what the homes and farms of the early 1800s were like.
Long Island
Recommended:
Yes
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