Our Hamptons

Discover the intriguing history of the Devon Colony, founded by Cincinnati families in 1908, blending Mediterranean architecture with coastal charm. Learn about the legacy of unique traditions, like cannon shooting at sundown, which enrich the Amagansett community. Dive into the importance of preserving the area's untouched beauty and historic buildings, ensuring that its quaint character remains intact for future generations. Uncover the stories behind the founding families and their connection to the Devon Yacht Club.

Bess Rattray, a columnist for The East Hampton Star and founder of the Anchor Society, shares her insights on preserving her hometown's charm. She reflects on the quirks of growing up in a newspaper family and the challenges of local journalism. Bess discusses the Anchor Society's mission to bring a General Store to East Hampton, addressing issues like 'luxury blight.' The conversation also highlights ways to revitalize the community through partnerships and innovative projects, advocating for a balance between luxury and local character.

Esperanza and Irwin leave their usual comfort zone and head into more uncharted territory. Calverton has the last, large swath of Long Island grassland, and has been protected to a degree. If you visit the area, there doesn't seem to be much development or planning, although proposals exist. It's home to an enormous FedEx distribution center, a large recycling business, along with tiny farmhouses and farms. We''ll tie in the Calverton Executive Airport, the Grumman Corporation's impact on LI, and its Memorial Park on 10 adjacent acres.

Geoff Gehman, author of "The Kingdom of the Kid: Growing Up in the Long Lost Hamptons," shares heartfelt tales from his childhood in Wainscott during the 1960s. He vividly recounts adventures like crabbing and camping, revealing the emotional ties that draw him back to his hometown. The conversation delves into the area's rich cultural heritage, the enchantment of its natural beauty, and the lasting impact of community initiatives. Gehman also reflects on the significance of local landmarks and the essence of Wainscott that continues to inspire creatives.

Esperanza, who has firsthand experience with one-room schoolhouses, and Irwin, an expert on their evolution, discuss the surprising number still standing in Eastern Long Island. They explore fascinating transformations—some have become community centers or luxury homes. Esperanza shares her insights as a parent with children in a one-room setting, highlighting the benefits of multi-age classrooms. Their conversation uncovers the historical significance of these structures and their enduring role in local identity.

Maryann Calendrille and Kathryn Szoka, proprietors of the beloved Canio's bookstore in Sag Harbor, share their journey of preserving a cultural landmark. They discuss the origins of Canio's and its evolution into a community hub since its 1999 acquisition. With the impending loss of their lease, they express hopes for a new chapter, emphasizing the importance of independent bookstores in fostering community connections. Nostalgic tales of Sag Harbor's past merge with a vision for Canio's future, keeping the spirit of literature alive.

Dr. Susan Van Scoy, a professor at St. Joseph's University and author on the duck farming industry, shares fascinating insights into the history of duck farming on Long Island. At its peak in the 1950s, 75% of the nation's restaurant ducks came from this region. She discusses the challenges faced by local farmers, including suburbanization and government regulations, which led to the decline of the industry. The iconic Big Duck also features prominently as a symbol of this rich, yet often overlooked, heritage.

Jim Davidson, founder of the Hampton Jitney, originally set out to address the transportation gap during the 1974 gas crisis. He shares how a simple idea evolved into a crucial service linking Manhattan and the Hamptons. The conversation touches on the community spirit fostered by the Jitney, its unique branding by Roy Lichtenstein, and the transformation from small vans to larger coaches. Davidson reflects on the nostalgic ties between the Jitney and local culture, celebrating its 50-year journey of connecting people across the East End.

Esperanza and Irwin welcome Susan Horowitz, of Hamptons 20th Century Modern. Susan formulates advocacy efforts to both raise awareness and influence actual preservation efforts by viewing modernism as a continuum of the architectural history of eastern Long Island. While Long Island modern architectural history is documented by writers such as Paul Goldberger, Alastair Gordon + Caroline Rob Zaleski, Long Island continues to face crucial need to focus on the legacy of the modern architects and their architecture, before they are forgotten and their work is demolished. While much has already been lost, part of Hamptons 20th Century Modern's mission is to encourage owners of these homes to protect their futures, and new buyers to consider them as valuable historic homes. We also discuss how eastern Long Island relates to other US areas of successful modernism preservation across the country; New Canaan, Palm Springs and Cape Cod. Watch for Hamptons 20th Century Modern's upcoming House Tour, scheduled for August 11 and 12.

Esperanza and Irwin discuss Freetown, East Hampton. Following the passage of the Gradual Emancipation Act of 1799 in New York State, John Lyon Gardiner and other wealthy local slave-owners settled newly freed slaves in Freetown. Some of these households bore the last names of their former owners in subsequent census records. Rufus Right, Cyrus Hedges, William Gardiner, and Luce Gardiner were early African American residents of Freetown. In 1879, a New York City real estate developer, Arthur W. Benson (Bensonhurst, Brooklyn), acquired 10,000 acres in Montauk, where a group of  Montaukett  people maintained a small community. Benson and local officials relocated the Montaukett households to Freetown, offering them cash and deeds to newly subdivided lots. Many direct connections to Freetown's past survive today. Archival records about the community of Freetown are preserved in East Hampton Library's extensive Long Island Collection. Moreover, a number buildings and sites survive. For example, the George and Sara Fowler House, and Saint Matthews Chapel.