Clifton
Why it's listed
Clifton is a harbor-front residence on Bryant Avenue in Roslyn Harbor, built around 1863 to designs by Frederick S. Copley. Its two-and-a-half-story frame house features numerous Flemish gables, arched and ogee window and door surrounds, a slate roof and a wraparound veranda, with Gothic Revival detailing inside. A carriage house, a board-and-batten boathouse and a rustic gazebo stand on the roughly one-acre grounds. Plans for the house appeared in Woodward's Country Homes in 1865. Ann Eliza Cairns had it built as part of a bequest to her granddaughters, and it was probably rented until Rear Admiral William Emory's family took possession in 1876. John M. Demarest bought it in 1917, altered the house and hired Olmsted Associates to design the landscape. The property was listed as a rare Long Island example of Flemish Revival architecture, as the work of a notable architect, and as a representative Roslyn Harbor estate.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is a rare example of Flemish Revival architecture on Long Island and a well-preserved work of New York architect Frederick S. Copley, whose design was illustrated in national publications of the period. It is also significant for community planning and development as an outstanding example of a Roslyn Harbor estate, 1830-1930, with ties to neighboring Cedarmere and Willowmere.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 99000874, listed July 22, 1999. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 355 Bryant Ave., Roslyn Harbor |
|---|---|
| County | Nassau County |
| Listed | July 22, 1999 |
| Reference number | 99000874 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c. 1863-c. 1932 |
| Architect / builder | Copley, Frederick S. |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian / Victorian Eclectic (Flemish Revival with Gothic Revival detailing) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Community Planning and Development |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as a single dwelling; the interior has been recently restored and rehabilitated. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 40.81231, -73.64698 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 99000874.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5133167
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.