Terry-Mulford House
Why it's listed
Set on a wooded six-acre plot in the hamlet of Orient, at the eastern end of Long Island's north fork, this two-and-one-half-story shingled saltbox dates from the late seventeenth century. A lean-to was added about 1700, a west wing in the early 1800s, and a rear wing about 1900. Its frame shows features typical of first period construction on Long Island: exposed and chamfered timbers, a central chimney and an unusual vertical plank frame. Local tradition links the house to a tavern built by John Peakin in 1666, though architectural evidence points to a date near the end of the seventeenth century or about 1700. Thomas Terry reportedly bought it around 1715, and Elisha Mulford acquired it in 1805. It is believed to be the only surviving house of the original seven built in Orient. The west and rear wings keep largely intact circa 1900 interiors, showing how the house grew over time.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is one of the few surviving early settlement period houses on Long Island and is believed to be the only remaining house of the original seven built in Orient. It shows first period construction features such as exposed and chamfered framing, a central chimney and a rear lean-to. Its later wings, including relatively intact circa 1900 interiors, illustrate the long continuity of the property and the colonial practice of enlarging a house as a family grew.
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 84003003, listed February 7, 1984. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | NY 25, Orient |
|---|---|
| County | Suffolk County |
| Listed | February 7, 1984 |
| Reference number | 84003003 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | Late 1600's |
| Architectural style | New England saltbox (first period, late 17th century) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Exploration/Settlement, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied as a private residence; the earliest portion was being stabilized and repaired, and the rear wing was planned for use as an antique radio museum. |
| Acreage | 6 |
| Coordinates | 41.15189, -72.27665 (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 84003003.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7704024
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.