Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club
Why it's listed
Overlooking the eastern fork of Oyster Bay Harbor from an open rise on Centre Island, this shingled frame clubhouse was designed in 1891 by Robert W. Gibson and opened in 1892. It measures nine bays by three, rises two and a half stories under a slate-covered hipped roof, and is wrapped by a columned veranda with semi-octagonal projections that take in harbor views. Gibson, born and trained in England, worked in Albany before moving to New York City in 1887. His Colonial Revival design is restrained, symmetrical and balanced between horizontal length and vertical accents. The club was founded in 1871 as the Seawanhaka Yacht Club and later merged with the Oyster Bay Yacht Club. It became known for small-boat racing and for the Seawanhaka International Challenge Cup, first sailed against England in 1895. Additions in 1960, about 1964 and 1967 left the building's basic architectural integrity intact, and the club still uses it for its original purpose.
Significance in brief: It is the headquarters of an internationally known small-boat sailing facility and one of the oldest amateur yacht clubs in the United States. It illustrates turn-of-the-century social history and is a fine Colonial Revival design by Robert W. Gibson. Its architectural character has remained largely unimpaired despite continuous use since 1892.
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 74001265, listed January 8, 1974. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Centre Island Rd., Oyster Bay |
|---|---|
| County | Nassau County |
| Listed | January 8, 1974 |
| Reference number | 74001265 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1891-1892 |
| Architect / builder | Robert W. Gibson (architect) |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | In continuous use as a yacht club since opening in 1892; the form marks the property as occupied and in private ownership. |
| Acreage | 12.7 |
| Coordinates | 40.90241, -73.51318 (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 74001265.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7442263
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.