Historic 1860 Waterfront Home with Havens Family Roots Offered on Shelter Island

A waterfront residence dating to approximately 1860 and connected to one of Shelter Island’s earliest families has come to market overlooking West Neck Creek. 

Set on 2.94 acres with 257 feet of waterfront, the five-bedroom home reflects mid-19th-century craftsmanship, along with thoughtful updates made over time. From its slightly elevated position, lawns slope gently toward the creek, framed by fruit trees and open sky. A long driveway marked by a traditional lantern leads to the formal double-door entry.

Inside, wide-plank pine floors and original moldings remain defining features. The living room retains tall two-over-two windows and a marble fireplace with a summer cover. The adjacent dining room mirrors those details and looks toward the water. A first-floor parlor with a full bathroom sits just off the foyer

The second floor includes four guest bedrooms, two with water views, along with a powder room and full hall bath. In the 1980s, a primary suite wing was added with careful attention to scale and proportion. Reached by a separate hallway with its own exterior entrance and access to a lower-level two-car garage, the suite includes a sitting room with French doors to the grounds, a spacious bedroom, dressing area, walk-in closet, office and full bath.

Outdoor amenities include a 20-by-40-foot heated Gunite pool with bluestone surround, a covered porch and deck with an electric awning, and an outdoor shower. The property also features a 58-foot fixed dock on protected West Neck Creek, with permits for two floating platforms and easy access to the harbor.

According to listing broker Penelope Moore of Saunders & Associates, the home traces its history to the Havens family, whose presence on Shelter Island dates to the late 1600s. 

“The Havens family was among the early landowners whose history is closely tied to the development of Shelter Island,” Moore said. “Homes associated with those early families reflect the building traditions and materials of their time.” Historical accounts note that members of the Havens family were involved in commerce between Shelter Island and New York City during the 19th century, including the lumber trade. “In the mid-1800s, building materials for East End homes were often shipped from New York City lumberyards by rail and barge,” Moore said. “Some accounts indicate that lumber connected to the Havens family was transported from a yard in Manhattan — in the area where the United Nations complex stands today — and brought by water to Shelter Island for construction.”

In addition to the primary suite extension in the 1980s, there have been a number of updates over the years, including the installation of a heated Gunite pool and stone patios in 2005, a covered porch and deck in 2003, and dock improvements in 2010. 

“The combination of historic character and waterfront setting continues to appeal to buyers on Shelter Island”, Moore said. “Properties that connect to the island’s early history while offering water access remain especially meaningful here.” 

PENELOPE A. MOORE
Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker
[email protected]
Cell: (917) 208-5519

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