HUNTINGTON, NY – Whether you’ve lived in Huntington your whole life or recently moved here, the Huntington Historical Society’s Holiday Historic House Tour is a must-see event each holiday season. The homes on the tour are rich in history, architecture, and art, and each one is beautifully decorated for the holidays. Guests are welcomed by Historical Society members who guide them through rooms filled with Christmas trees, sparkling lights, festive table settings, artwork, and décor that instantly pull you into the spirit of the season.
The self-guided tour begins at the Conklin Barn, where visitors sign in, pick up their maps, and enjoy a generous spread of cookies, hot chocolate, coffee, and tea. A raffle of beautiful items adds to the excitement before everyone sets out to explore the featured homes.
Our first stop was the Old First Church, built in 1665. Church members shared stories and photos that detailed its long history, including its occupation by British soldiers during the Revolutionary War, when it was used as a storage depot and stable. Touring the sanctuary made it clear why this landmark holds so many cherished stories.
Next, we visited the David Woodhull Conklin House on West Neck Road, built in 1830. The home still has its wide-planked floors, five fireplaces, four chimneys, and many original windows and doors. High ceilings and detailed moldings highlight its early craftsmanship, while the updated kitchen, modern bathrooms, brick patio, and pool reflect its careful modernization.
Also on West Neck Road sits the Weeks/Wylie House, originally built in 1750. A one-story east wing was added in 1840, and the home was constructed into a hill to protect it from strong winds and take advantage of southern exposure. The upper story was added in 1910. One standout feature is the library fireplace, built from West Neck bricks uncovered during renovation.
The Fleet-Jarvis House on Cove Road dates back to the late 17th century and was built by Captain Thomas Fleet. Through marriage, the home passed into the Jarvis family, who lived there for nearly two centuries. It remains one of the few surviving structures connected to Huntington’s early settlement and reflects the Fleet family’s long history of involvement in waterfront enterprises.
The Bifulco Home on Dunlop Road, built in 1938 by Samuel Bertron, sits on what was once a large farm stretching from Dunlop Road to Greenlawn Road. The home features an original French fireplace, a still-operational dumbwaiter, original wood plank floors, double-hung windows, and its original slate roof.
The final stop, known simply as the 1905 House on Pine Road in Greenlawn, tells a unique story. When it was built, no wells existed north of the railroad, leaving the area without accessible water. Many early homes were abandoned until the Sanders Water Company later stepped in, paving the way for new development in the 1960s. Purchased in 1994, this home is now an eclectic treasure filled with antiques and collected pieces, earning the Town of Huntington’s 2023 Beautification Award in the Residential category.
Photography by Dana E. Richter and Diane Schaber.
