Historic House Auction is a Bust; Town Heads Back To Drawing Board

The Town of Southampton did not receive a single bid for the oldest home in Hampton Bays - again.

According to Jennifer Garvey, a spokeswoman for the town, this is the second time the home has been put out to bid, but received no offers.

Now, Garvey said, the town must rethink its plan for the 227-year-old house that sits on Newtown Road.

Garvey said town board members have started to discus what they will do next, but no firm plans have been decided.

The town put the federal-style house out to bid in July with bids due in by mid-August. The town also held an open house on Aug. 2 for potential buyers.

According to Sally Spanburg, of the town's landmarks commission, the house was originally built in 1785 for Ellis Squires Sr. (1738-1822) and was designated a town landmark in 2007. It features four bedrooms and sits adjacent to preserved lands, a meadow and Squire Pond.

The house, however, said Brenda Berntstein, of the Hampton Bays Historical Society,  is in need of extensive repairs. At one time, she said, the historical society considered taking it over to use for fundraisers, but quickly realized that the society does not have the funds for its upkeep.

Patch wants to know: What do you think the town should do with the house? Comment below.

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