As a small child I was fascinated by the bay houses that are scattered about the South Shore of Long Island. While out on my families boat we would always encounter these "floating houses" One by one, we would pass them by and I would pretend that I lived on these magical secluded marshlands. I still pass the bay houses today and am forever in awe of them. No longer through the magical eyes of a child but with a natural curiosity that has developed over the years. What exactly are the bay houses? How did they come to be? And who are the lucky few who call them home?
D. Abrams
Bay Houses
'Bay houses are small shacks that stand on the South Shore's marshlands in the Town of Hempstead that were originally built in the 1700 and 1800s by fishermen, baymen and duck hunters for shelter while they harvested clams, salt hay or went duck hunting. Through the years they have been passed down among their families.'
'During the 1940s - 1960s other residents built bay houses as weekend getaways; by 1965 there were over 200 bay houses. In 1965 the Town of Hempstead removed most of the bay houses in an effort to preserve the sensitive wetlands on which they stand.'
'As a result of research and subsequent publication of
On The Bay, written by director Nancy Solomon, the Town decided to preserve the fragile structures for future generations. Today there are approximately 34 bay houses remaining. To educate visitors and residents Long Island Traditions conducts an annual
bay house tour.' You can also call Long Island Traditions at (516) 767-8803
All information listed above is provided by
http://www.longislandtraditions.org/bayhouse/bay.html
All photos provided by
Deidre Abrams
