Raynham Hall
Also known as: Townsend Homestead
Why it's listed
Raynham Hall, also known as the Townsend Homestead, sits in the center of Oyster Bay on West Main Street. It consists of three wood frame sections: Samuel Townsend's two-and-one-half story house from about 1738, a larger wing added about 1851, and a kitchen wing from about 1855. Townsend, a merchant, importer and public official, supported the Revolution, and the house served as headquarters for Lt. Col. John G. Simcoe of the Queens Rangers during the British occupation of Long Island. His descendants lived here until 1941, and his grandson Solomon Townsend II expanded the house as a summer residence when Oyster Bay began drawing vacationers. The earlier house reflects 18th century proportions common in New England and eastern Long Island, while the later wings show mid-19th century rural prosperity. Mid-century additions to the original house were removed during restoration in the 1950s. The Town of Oyster Bay now operates the property as a museum.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents it as an architectural record of the growth of Oyster Bay and the prominent Townsend family, illustrating vernacular domestic design common on Long Island in the 18th and 19th centuries. It was the home of Revolutionary patriot Samuel Townsend and served as headquarters for British Queens Rangers officer Lt. Col. John G. Simcoe during the Revolution.
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 74001264, listed June 5, 1974. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 20 W. Main St., Oyster Bay |
|---|---|
| County | Nassau County |
| Listed | June 5, 1974 |
| Reference number | 74001264 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 18th and 19th centuries |
| Architect / builder | Samuel Townsend (original dwelling); Solomon Townsend II (mid-19th century wings) |
| Architectural style | Domestic vernacular design; the 18th century dwelling follows a style common in New England and eastern Long Island |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition excellent; restored during the 1950s, owned by the Town of Oyster Bay, furnished by period and open to the public as a museum. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.87243, -73.53162 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
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 74001264.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7299339
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.