A Little Stroll Through History In Southampton Village

On Sunday morning, the Camacho family went for a walk around their quiet Southampton neighborhood in the light heat of the morning. When they were nearly home, Pamela Rollins Camacho saw a small group of people standing outside one of her neighbors’ houses on Foster Crossing joining a tour of the block.

It was the first of this summer’s Southampton Historical Museums’ walking tours, which were revived about three years ago when programs and education and events manager Laurie Collins joined the museums’ staff.

The group of 10 surrounded the museums’ curator and registrar, Emma Ballou, as they walked along the short road, beginning at the intersection of Little Plains Road and Foster Crossing.

Ms. Ballou started the tour with a short explanation of the historical establishment of Southampton, when the Foster family had been alloted the couple-hundred-acre plot when the village began building along Main Street.

The houses now found along the small stretch of prime real estate vary from historical landmarks like the original Foster Homestead to newly constructed Greek Revivals, explained Ms. Ballou as Ms. Collins handed her an enlarged copy of a 1920s postcard of the same road the group then stood at.

As they cooled off in the shade of some large trees, the group oohed and aahed as they passed around the photo, which barely resembled the current view. The street was wide open from house to house with almost no trees and short hedges. This was mandatory because without the interference of trees, a brisk breeze carried across the street. With the modern day convenience of air-conditioning, however, today some trees have been allowed to stretch from one side of the road to the other, casting shadows across it.

Ms. Ballou began researching Foster Crossing more than a month ago through both the museums’ records and several town resources.

“It was a lot of work, honestly it was a street that hadn’t really been dived into too deeply,” Ms. Ballou said. “It was a treasure hunt, but [these tours] create a wonderful record of specific areas.”

Usually, such events bring out history buffs eager to add to their knowledge of the area. However, Ms. Ballou said she has seen a broader group of people as they develop an interest in maintaining the historical integrity of Southampton.

Gail Zappone is one of the newest members to join the society, having signed up with Ms. Collins just before the tour began.

“It’s all thanks to Kathy,” Ms. Zappone said, pointing to her walking partner, Kathy Ciriello.

Ms. Zappone had been a member years ago but had fallen out few touch with the museums. With a little convincing from Ms. Ciriello, she decided Sunday morning was the perfect opportunity to reconnect.

Members are welcome to join the tours for free while guests pay $10.

When the Camacho family arrived at their own house on Foster Crossing, a village restoration ordinance was tacked onto the white picket fence. The Camachos plan to do extensive renovations at the house they moved to six years ago from another estate down the block.

The tour ended at the Foster Homestead on the corner of Main Street and Foster Crossing, the very location depicted in the postcard passed around at the beginning of the tour.

Participants were welcome to visit the historic Thomas Halsey Homestead, built in 1666, which was open for the special event.

There will be six more tours directed by friends of the museums such as Gary Lawrance and Rick Stott of AIA Peconic. For more information visit http://www.southamptonhistoricalmuseum.org.