Whitman, Walt, House
Why it's listed
Built around 1815 by Walter Whitman, this shingled farmhouse on Walt Whitman Road in West Hills, Huntington, is the birthplace of poet Walt Whitman. The main dwelling has two and one-half stories, three bays, a side entrance, twelve-over-nine sash windows and a simple Federal-style doorway with a four-pane transom. A one-story, three-bay east wing adjoins it, and a mid-twentieth century addition matching the original in style and form is linked by a breezeway. An early nineteenth century clapboard barn on the 1.3 acre lot contributes to the historic farm setting, while a modern wellhouse does not. Commercial buildings now surround the property. Walter Whitman was the son of Joseph Whitman, who first settled West Hills. The poet lived here only four years before the family moved to Brooklyn, yet he drew on the area for inspiration. The house, now a museum and library, retains a high degree of architectural integrity as a settlement-period example.
Significance in brief: It is an intact, representative example of early nineteenth century settlement-period architecture in Huntington, with a three-bay side-entrance plan, shingle sheathing and a restrained Federal entrance. It is also the birthplace of poet Walt Whitman (1819-1892), a member of the family that first settled West Hills.
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 85002549, listed September 26, 1985. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 246 Walt Whitman Rd., West Hills |
|---|---|
| County | Suffolk County |
| Listed | September 26, 1985 |
| Reference number | 85002549 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Walter Whitman |
| Architectural style | Federal (restrained Federal style entrance); early nineteenth century settlement period architecture |
| Areas of significance | Literature, Exploration/Settlement, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Operated as a museum and library, open Wednesday to Sunday 1-4 p.m.; condition excellent, with no known threats. A New York State Historic Site. |
| Acreage | 1.3 |
| Coordinates | 40.81715, -73.41190 (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 85002549.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7964077
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.