ABOUT US
The history of the Ward Melville Heritage Organization and its affiliate corporation.
Looking to escape the stresses of city life at the dawn of the twentieth century, Brooklyn residents Frank and Jennie Melville planned a Long Island summer retreat with their son Ward. Intending to reach the popular Hamptons on the East End of Long Island, they accidentally boarded the wrong train and instead traveled to the hamlet of Stony Brook. Ultimately falling in love with the quaint village, Frank and Jennie immersed themselves in local life. They were troubled by the growing effects of the Great Depression and the area’s collection of rundown buildings. Jennie urged civic cooperation among the three neighboring communities of Stony Brook, Old Field, and Setauket and dubbed them the “Three Villages,” while Frank served on civic boards and the Chamber of Commerce.
Succeeding his father as president of the Melville Shoe Corporation, Ward had his parents’ passion for conservation and economic development. With the help of his wife, Dorothy, Ward actively worked to formulate a plan to fulfill Jennie’s dream of a beautiful, planned business community. Starting in 1939, Ward extensively renovated the Old Hallock Homestead, which he inherited from his parents. He renamed it the Three Village Inn.
Dorothy became co-founder of the Suffolk Museum (now known as The Long Island Museum). Realizing the scale of their goal to preserve and maintain historic Stony Brook, Ward created a not-for-profit corporation, the Stony Brook Community Fund in 1939; it was renamed The Ward Melville Heritage Organization in 1996. The organization continues to protect the historical and sensitive environmental properties that he deeded to it over the years.
As his dream was to create a “living Williamsburg,” Ward Melville envisioned a colonial-style village that would breathe new life into the area. Seeking community cooperation, Ward hosted a dinner at the Three Village Inn on January 19, 1940. Designed by Richard Haviland Smith, Ward presented his plans for a crescent-shaped Village Center with connected shops grouped around a federalist-style post office.
The proposal, having passed with a majority approval by local residents, was put into action. Ward’s venture began at his own personal expense of $500,000 (or in today’s conversion, over $8,000,000.) He relocated, demolished, or modified some thirty-five buildings in the downtown area. This enormous undertaking also included the rerouting of roads, the relocation of large trees, and moving one million cubic yards of dirt.
A two-acre Village Green was created, opening the vista to the harbor. The new Stony Brook Village Center, now housing many of the existing businesses of old Stony Brook, was completed in the summer of 1941. It has long been recognized as the first planned shopping center in the country. In fact, it is where the American Institute of Architects held their annual meeting for many years.
Ward and Dorothy’s patronage continued long after the completion of the new village. Land and monetary donations to various organizations made them champions of local causes. Today, The Ward Melville Heritage Organization perpetuates their vision and teaches people the significance of their contributions to the Long Island community. The list of properties owned by the organization includes:
- Stony Brook Grist Mill c. 1751: Open to the public from spring to fall, used for educational programs – currently listed on the New York State and National Registers of Historic Places. The Stony Brook mill is Long Island’s only complete working grist mill.
- Brewster House c. 1665: In the Brewster family for many generations, the house was also an inn and tavern for a number of years. Used for educational programs – currently listed on the New York State and National Registers of Historic Places. Open by appointment for adult groups and education programs.
- Thompson House c. 1710: In the Thompson family for many generations, Dr. Samuel Thompson practiced medicine and oversaw a several-acre farm here. Used for educational programs – currently listed on the New York State and National Registers of Historic Places. Open by appointment for adult groups and education programs.
- The 11-acre Bayles Minuse Mill Pond Park and two-acre Upper Pond: Open year-round to the public.
- The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame: Dedicated to the recognition, honor, and preservation of Long Island’s music and entertainment heritage. The space—covering 8,800 square feet—features a large exhibition area, theater, and an official “Hall of Fame Museum.”
- The Ernst Marine Conservation Center and 88-Acre Wetlands Preserve: Located on the Wetlands Preserve, the Conservation Center is used for educational programs. It is a sensitive environmental property designated as a Significant Fish and Wildlife Habitat and an Outstanding Natural Coastal Area.
- Hercules c. 1820: Figurehead and anchor from the U.S.S. Ohio that watches over the harbor. Behind Hercules sits the whaleboat used during the Peary expedition to the North Pole.
- Wetlands Discovery Cruises: AA one and one-half hour cruise through Stony Brook Harbor to the wetlands at West Meadow Creek, which runs from May through October. As the boat navigates the wetlands, a naturalist is on board to talk about the area’s history and identify wildlife. Available for individuals, school groups, parties, weddings, camps, and more.
- The Jazz Loft:A 6,000 s/f venue offering thousands of archives from some of the greatest Jazz musicians of their day. On display are instruments, diaries, autographed pictures, original sheet music, letters from world leaders, and even an orchestra stage that was constructed from the original Roseland Ballroom dance floor. The Jazz Loft also offers a full calendar of musical performances as well as classes for people with autism, learning disabilities, dementia and Alzheimer’s.
- The Stony Brook Museums buildings and grounds, and The Hawkins-Mount House c. 1725: Leased to Long Island Museum for $1. The Museum owns the collections and they maintain the buildings.
- Three Village Society for Lending Aids to the Sick: Offers medical supplies such as wheelchairs, crutches, walkers, canes and the like, free of charge to the community.