Copyright: New York State Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation
Walt Whitman Birthplace State Historic Site
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Description - Built circa 1819 by Walter Whitman's father, this house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is a fine example of native Long Island craftsmanship, simple in line and pleasing in proportions. Remarkably few changes have been made to the structure since the Whitmans left it in 1823. A visitor centers features exhibition galleries, an orientation film and Walt Whitman's voice on tape, a performance space called The Poetry Circle, a classroom area, a library, and a museum shop and bookstore.
Attractions
- Although he left his birthplace at an early age, Walt Whitman returned to the West Hills region often, and, in his old age, claimed to have "incorporated" Long Island into himself. From this incorporation came a poetry that expressed the values and virtues as well as the desires and hopes of a democratic people. His "Leaves of Grass" now stands among the masterpieces of world literature and continues to inspire others to the self-realization that was his lifelong goal.
Built circa 1819 by Walter Whitman's father, this house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is a fine example of native Long Island craftsmanship, simple in line and pleasing in proportions. Remarkably few changes have been made to the structure since the Whitmans left it in 1823. The Walt Whitman Birthplace Visitors Interpretive Center, which opened in May 1997, features exhibition galleries, an orientation film and Walt Whitman's voice on tape, a performance space called The Poetry Circle, a classroom area, a library, and a museum shop and bookstore. There are maps available for auto-hiking tours of Whitman-related sites in historic and beautiful West Hills including the highest point on Long Island, Jayne's Hills.
Recreation - Walt Whitman's Birthplace offers audio-visual programs, educational services, a gift shop, group tours, guided tours, viewing the historic house, picnicking and a visitor center / museum. The 8-mile Walt Whitman Trail begins from this site and winds through nearby West Hills County Park. The historic site is open in summer Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday 12-5 p.m. Closed Tuesdays and holidays. It is open in winter from Wednesday-Friday 1-4 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday 12-4 p.m. Closed holidays. Admission: $3.00 adults, $2.00 senior citizens and students, $1.00 children 7-12, children under 6 admitted free. Climate - The historic site experiences average January temperatures above 22 degrees Fahrenheit (above -6 degrees Celsius). Summer temperatures average above 72 degrees Fahrenheit (above 22 degrees Celsius). Precipitation in the region ranges from 40 to more than 44 inches of rain and snowmelt. Typically Long Island has more than 200 days of frost-free growing season. Location -
The Walt Whitman Home is located in South Huntington off SR 110.
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