Brookwood Hall in East Islip, NY is a Neo-Georgian style mansion built in 1902 by the architects Delano and Aldrich.
Brookwood Hall Entrance
When I visited the mansion in late February 2011, the building was undergoing extensive and much needed renovations.
Back of Building
The mansion was built by the Knapp Family, and was also subsequently owned by the Thorne Family.
Brookwood Hall Marker
From 1942-1965 the mansion served as an Orphanage.
Orphan Registry Sign
Today it is the home of the Islip Art Museum and the Islip Arts Council and it sits in Knapp Lake Park.
Allee of Trees
Original Entrance Gate
Main Stairs
Breakfast Room Fireplace
The Breakfast Room serves as an exhibit space for local history organizations.
Original Flooring outside Dining Room
Many of the original architectural details of the mansion are hidden behind modifications made to the estate through the years. It was nice to see some of the original flooring.
Detail of Solarium Fireplace
Mansion lore has this fireplace originally coming from the Idle Hour Estate. The French style of the fireplace makes the story plausible. It is not in keeping with the Georgian decorative style of the rest of the house.
Carriage House
The carriage house now serves as a contemporary art space. I hope to visit Brookwood Hall again, when the renovations are complete.
For more photos of Brookwood Hall see my Flickr site.
Interesting! I would love to know the story of that huge window to the right of the main entrance. I presume that the rear portico has infill construction; hopefully it can be removed. Thankfully, the house has been preserved and has a viable use.
The correct name for Knapp’s estate is Brookwood. The orphanage renamed it Brookwood Hall.
Ray Spinzia
Sorry, I forgot to respond to window question. They are German, medieval, stained-glassed medallions. Similar medallions can be found in the Knapp Memorial window in St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Islip, LI.
Thanks for the information! I appreciate your participation.
Those are not the front entrance gates. The entrance gates are larger and more elaborate.
HI GLADYS, I AM TRYING TO DO THE SAME THING. MY LAST CONTACT WAS WITH MRS. CYDEAR WHO PASSED AWAY IN 1998 AT THE AGE OF 92. WE GOT TOGETHER IN SAN FRANCISCO FOR THE WEEKEND, WHILE I LIVED IN SAN DIEGO. I CAME BACK TO GLOVERSVILLE, N.Y. IN 1999 TO BE A CARE GIVER TO MY AUNT JUNE. WHO PASSED IN 2010. HOW ARE YOUR BROTHERS ARTIE & MICHAEL DOING? I HAVE QUITE A FEW PICTURES OF US AT BROOKWOOD HALL BUT DON’T KNOW HOW TO SHARE THEM. WE BELONG TO A PRIVATE FAMILY. LOVE GREG
Hi Gregory, I am glad to hear from you. I’m sorry to hear of the passing of Mrs. Cydear and your Aunt. I am living in East Islip, married and have 2 children. Michael passed away and Artie is doing ok. I have the pictures you sent to Frank Szemko. I am trying to identifiy who is who, some of them I do remember. I am giving them back to Frank soon so he can give them to the historical society. Please keep on touch with me Love Gladys
HI JACK, THOSE GATES MIGHT HAVE BEEN THE ORIGINAL MAIN GATES BECAUSE THEY FACED MONTAUK HWY. WHEN I LIVED THEIR THE MAIN GATE FACED IRISH LANE (THE BIG GATES). F.Y.I. THE BREAKFAST ROOM WAS WHERE ALL OF US KIDS CELEBRATED OUR BIRTHDAYS EVERY YEAR. MUCH LOVE WAS GENERATED IN THAT ROOM. WE WERE ALLOWED TO INVITE 7 KIDS AND A SUPERVISOR TO ATTEND. I HAVE NOTHING BUT FOND MEMORIES OF EVERYONE THAT LIVED THEIR AS AN ORPHANAGE.
Hi. My mother, Lorretta Stellato was one of the first children to live at Brookwood Hall. She passed away in 1999. She is pictured in a couple of the archive photos. Just thought I would share. – Curt Riess
The director of Brookwood Hall was Bill St. Marie and the assistant director was Severin J. Laliberte. When it closed they both went to the Ottile Home For Children in Jamaica, Queens.I still remember lots about this place because my dad took my sister and I here alot when we were very young. I am the son of Severin Laliberte , Glenn now 53 years old and living in Pennsylvania.
THIS WAS MY HOME FROM 1956 UNTIL THE END IN 1964. THE MEMORIES COME FROM THE STAFF THAT DEDICATED THEIR LOVE TO ALL OF US KIDS. I LOVED & STILL LOVE ALL OF THEM WHO ARE NOW IN HEAVEN. SOME OF US SERVED IN VIET NAM, BECAUSE OF THE DRAFT. DICEN SAMUALS & JOSE SANTANA DIDN’T MAKE IT BACK. BUT THEY DID GET A FANTASTIC AMOUNT OF LOVE FROM ALL OF US. I MISS YOU ALL. GREGORY V. REAGAN
Hi Gregory, This is Gladys (Fryer) DeCostanzo, How are you? It has been many years. I am trying to locate anyone from Brookwood in the years of 1957-1965. If you know of anyone, please let me know. My email address is below.
HI GLADYS, I AM TRYING TO DO THE SAME THING. MY LAST CONTACT WAS WITH MRS. CYDEAR WHO PASSED AWAY IN 1998 AT THE AGE OF 92. WE GOT TOGETHER IN SAN FRANCISCO FOR THE WEEKEND, WHILE I LIVED IN SAN DIEGO. I CAME BACK TO GLOVERSVILLE, N.Y. IN 1999 TO BE A CARE GIVER TO MY AUNT JUNE. WHO PASSED IN 2010. HOW ARE YOUR BROTHERS ARTIE & MICHAEL DOING? I HAVE QUITE A FEW PICTURES OF US AT BROOKWOOD HALL BUT DON’T KNOW HOW TO SHARE THEM. WE BELONG TO A PRIVATE FAMILY. LOVE GREG