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For the second: One of the houses featured on the tour will be an award-winning eco house, situated on a bluff overlooking the Peconic River and designed by the architect/owner to minimize its carbon footprint by using efficient means of construction and relying on solar power for all electrical needs. GAVIN ZEIGLER/COURTESY BROWN HARRIS STEVENS
The tour will end with an open house for tour participants at the newly completed Shelter Island History Center, which connects the 18th century Havens House with a modern addition featuring new meeting, administrative and gallery space and an imposing stone-walled archive housing the society’s collection of historic documents.
The Shelter Island Historical Society’s 2019 House Tour on Saturday, August 3, will include a peek inside innovative new houses as well as old homes that have undergone historic restoration.
On a bluff overlooking the Peconic River, the contemporary Lichten/Assouline House has both a three-bedroom main house and a multi-story pool house, with a piazza in between. The architect—who is also the owner—sought to minimize the residence’s carbon footprint by using more efficient construction materials, such as concrete. The main house is also situated to maximize cross ventilation and relies on solar power.
The Antrim/Twitchell House was designed for a family with small children. On a site overlooking a meadow, the residence comprises three pavilions connected by a wooden deck.
The Sampson house is a Victorian Shelter Island Heights that was recently restored. At the top of the structure’s central tower is a glass-floored meditation space. With broad porches and fine woodworking details, the house evokes the 19th century summer colony.
The DeCourcy House is a 19th century cottage with outdoor living areas including a kitchen and dining area. Complementing the main house is a modern pool house inspired by Japanese tea houses with a media room, dining space and yoga and meditation room.
Following the home tour from 2 to 5 p.m., guests can join the Shelter Island Historical Society at the new Shelter Island History Center—a melding of the historic Havens House and a modern facility by architect Bill Pederson—for an open house from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Tickets, a map and a brochure may be picked up starting at 2 p.m. on the day of the tour and are $50 in advance of $55 on the day of. Purchase at shelterislandhistorical.org. For more information, call 631-749-0025 or email info@shelterislandhistorical.org.
Staff Writer on Jul 22, 2019