In 2013, Long Island’s own Sag Harbor made Coastal Living magazine’s list of America’s Top 10 Happiest Seaside Towns. A stroll along the harbor village, taking in the historical architecture and reveling in the quaint charms of small town coziness is enough to make for a happy afternoon indeed.
Sag Harbor is an incorporated village, nestled within the towns of Southampton and East Hampton and situated south of Shelter Island. Settled during the early 1700s, Sag Harbor became a bustling port of commerce. In 1789, Congress officially declared Sag Harbor as an international port in which ships would initially dock upon entry to the United States.
One of the hottest commodities of the time was whale oil, which was a highly coveted necessity for illuminating lamps prior to the advent of electricity. Sag Harbor served as a whaling port for nearly a century when the last whaling vessel, the Myra, departed from the harbor in 1871. The whaling industry came to a close during the mid-1800s once alternatives to whale oil, such as coal oil and petroleum, were discovered.
The Sag Harbor Whaling & Historical Museum, located on Main Street, provides the opportunity to glimpse into the bygone era. Designed by architect Minard Lafever, the building was constructed in 1845 and served as the family home of whaling merchant Benjamin Huntting II. Today, it is owned by and operated as the Sag Harbor Whaling & Historical Museum, displaying exhibits, artifacts and artwork that cover Sag Harbor’s whaling and social history.
Another notable historical landmark is the Old Whaler’s Church, located on Union Street. Built in 1844, its original steeple towered 185 feet toward the sky and was believed to be the tallest structure on Long Island at the time. The steeple was destroyed by the much talked about great hurricane of 1938, and the church remains without a steeple to this day. The church’s exterior architectural design exemplifies the style of Egyptian Revival, while the elaborate interior displays Greek Revival elements. On a hill next to the church sits what is known today as the Old Burying Ground, and what was once a site that was occupied by a British fort during the American Revolutionary war.
When visiting the Oakland Cemetery, all eyes are immediately drawn to its most prominent adornment. The Broken Mast monument, also designed by Minard Lafever, serves as a symbol of remembrance for all of the whalers who were lost to the sea.
Sag Harbor is peppered with homes whose original 18th and 19th century architectural designs remain preserved, the oldest of which is known as Umbrella House. This home housed British troops during the American Revolutionary war and was later attacked during the War of 1812. Today, the Sag Harbor Village District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Sag Harbor has also been dubbed a writers’ colony, serving as an inspiring locale for playwrights and novelists, including John Steinbeck and James Fennimore Cooper, to pen some of their works. Sag Harbor is also mentioned in Herman Melville’s “Moby Dick.”
A stroll along the Long Wharf offers scenic waterfront views and several eateries, including Dock House and B. Smith’s Long Wharf. Along the village streets, a virtual cornucopia of eclectic shops and boutiques await shoppers for fanciful browsing and souvenir procurement. These retail gems range from gourmet provision shops and apparel boutiques to antique vendors and novelty shops like The Wharf Shop, which has been in business since 1968. The Bay Street Theatre presents a variety of shows, concerts and events, and artistic films are the focal draw to the Sag Harbor Cinema. For additional information, visit the tourist center on Main Street. You can’t miss it, as it is housed within the characteristic Sag Harbor windmill, which is one of the village’s newer constructions that dates back only to 1966, when it opened for the first time as one of the highlights of the Old Whaler’s Festival of that year.
For the scenic blend of history, modern day culture and village charm, a daytrip into Sag Harbor has all of the makings for a happy jaunt through one of America’s happiest seaside towns.
Sag Harbor is an incorporated village, nestled within the towns of Southampton and East Hampton and situated south of Shelter Island. Settled during the early 1700s, Sag Harbor became a bustling port of commerce. In 1789, Congress officially declared Sag Harbor as an international port in which ships would initially dock upon entry to the United States.
One of the hottest commodities of the time was whale oil, which was a highly coveted necessity for illuminating lamps prior to the advent of electricity. Sag Harbor served as a whaling port for nearly a century when the last whaling vessel, the Myra, departed from the harbor in 1871. The whaling industry came to a close during the mid-1800s once alternatives to whale oil, such as coal oil and petroleum, were discovered.
The Sag Harbor Whaling & Historical Museum, located on Main Street, provides the opportunity to glimpse into the bygone era. Designed by architect Minard Lafever, the building was constructed in 1845 and served as the family home of whaling merchant Benjamin Huntting II. Today, it is owned by and operated as the Sag Harbor Whaling & Historical Museum, displaying exhibits, artifacts and artwork that cover Sag Harbor’s whaling and social history.
Another notable historical landmark is the Old Whaler’s Church, located on Union Street. Built in 1844, its original steeple towered 185 feet toward the sky and was believed to be the tallest structure on Long Island at the time. The steeple was destroyed by the much talked about great hurricane of 1938, and the church remains without a steeple to this day. The church’s exterior architectural design exemplifies the style of Egyptian Revival, while the elaborate interior displays Greek Revival elements. On a hill next to the church sits what is known today as the Old Burying Ground, and what was once a site that was occupied by a British fort during the American Revolutionary war.
When visiting the Oakland Cemetery, all eyes are immediately drawn to its most prominent adornment. The Broken Mast monument, also designed by Minard Lafever, serves as a symbol of remembrance for all of the whalers who were lost to the sea.
Sag Harbor is peppered with homes whose original 18th and 19th century architectural designs remain preserved, the oldest of which is known as Umbrella House. This home housed British troops during the American Revolutionary war and was later attacked during the War of 1812. Today, the Sag Harbor Village District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Sag Harbor has also been dubbed a writers’ colony, serving as an inspiring locale for playwrights and novelists, including John Steinbeck and James Fennimore Cooper, to pen some of their works. Sag Harbor is also mentioned in Herman Melville’s “Moby Dick.”
A stroll along the Long Wharf offers scenic waterfront views and several eateries, including Dock House and B. Smith’s Long Wharf. Along the village streets, a virtual cornucopia of eclectic shops and boutiques await shoppers for fanciful browsing and souvenir procurement. These retail gems range from gourmet provision shops and apparel boutiques to antique vendors and novelty shops like The Wharf Shop, which has been in business since 1968. The Bay Street Theatre presents a variety of shows, concerts and events, and artistic films are the focal draw to the Sag Harbor Cinema. For additional information, visit the tourist center on Main Street. You can’t miss it, as it is housed within the characteristic Sag Harbor windmill, which is one of the village’s newer constructions that dates back only to 1966, when it opened for the first time as one of the highlights of the Old Whaler’s Festival of that year.
For the scenic blend of history, modern day culture and village charm, a daytrip into Sag Harbor has all of the makings for a happy jaunt through one of America’s happiest seaside towns.