Unless indicated below, this is a transcript of the original Society for the Preservation of Long Island Antiquities/Town of Brookhaven survey form. Since most of the surveys were conducted in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, much of the information reflects that time period.

Corrections to obvious typographical and spelling errors have been made. Corrections to factual errors in the original surveys, and updates or comments on the information are either enclosed in [square brackets], or are clearly indicated as updated material from the context of the comments.

Sites with an Inventory Code suffix of “S” are supplemental sites not included in the original surveys.

BUILDING-STRUCTURE INVENTORY FORM

Keene House (Sleepy Hollow Farm)

 If checked, this is a Supplemental Form, not in the original surveys.

Inventory Code:   Br23A.005-S 
Prepared Date:   2011-08-08 
Last Modified:   1970-01-01 
Original Submitter
Submitter Name:   John Deitz
Submitter Address:   7 Locust Rd.

Brookhaven, NY 11719  
Organization:  
Identification
1-Building/Site Name:   Keene House (Sleepy Hollow Farm) 
2a-County:   Suffolk    2b-Town:   Brookhaven    2c-Village:   Hamlet of Brookhaven
3-Street Location:    
Ownership
 4a-Public    4b-Private
5a-Present Owner:    5b-Address:   5 Wallace Ln
Use

6a-Original:   Residential - farm house

6b-Present:   residential

Accessibility
 7a-Visible From Road

 7b-Interior Accessible
7b-Interior Comment:   Private dwelling
Building Materials
 8a-Clapboard

 8b-Stone

 8c-Brick

 8d-Board & Batten

 8e-Cobblestone

 8f-Shingles

 8g-Stucco
8-Other:   
Structural System
 9a-Wood Frame Interlocking Joints    9b-Wood Frame Light Members:   9c-Masonry:
 9d-Metal
9d-Metal Comment:   
 9e-Other
 9e-Other Comment:   
Condition
   10a-Excellent   10b-Good   10c-Fair    10d-Deteriorated
Integrity
  11a-Original Site  11b-Moved If so, when?
11c-Alterations:   A second floor dormer may be an addition.  «»
Photo & Map
12-Photo Photos and images
13-Map
View Larger Map
Threats
[Threats were not evaluated in the original South Shore Estuary Survey.  They are an evaluation by J. Deitz]
  14a-None Known:   14b-Zoning   14c-Roads
  14d-Developers   14e-Deterioration
14f-Other:   
14-Comment:   
Related Outbuildings and Property
 15a-Barn  15b-Carriage House  15c-Garage
 15d-Privy  15e-Shed   15f-Greenhouse
 15g-Shop  15h-Gardens   15i-Landscape Features
15i-Landscape Features:   
15j-Other:   A nearby barn like structure may be original to the farm, It now appears to have been converted to other use. (Needs confirmation.)
15-Comment:   It is interesting to note that 1947 and 1962 aerial photos of the area clearly indicate open fields and what was likely the Keene farm house and perhaps a barn. Now the area is heavily wooded.
Surroundings of the Building
 16a-Open Land  16b-Woodland  16c-Scattered Bldgs.
 16d-Densely Built-up  16e-Commercial  16f-Industrial
 16g-Residential 16h-Other:   
Interrelationship of Building and Surroundings
17-Interrelationships:    
Other Notable Features of Building and Site
18-Notable Features:      «»
Significance
19-Initial Const Date:   Early 20th century  
19-Architect:  
19-Builder:  
Historic and Architectural Importance
20-Importance:  

Said to have been the residence of the Allen Keene family, operators of a small farm on Hawkins lane. Allen and Beatrice Keen's son, Wallace Valentine Keene, was said to have been born there in 1926, and lived there until his death in 1995.

One of many modest dwellings that used to dot Brookhaven Hamlet as permanent homes and summer residences, but are gradually disappearing as larger structures take their place, either through new construction or modifications to the original structures. These homes provided a distinctive character to Brookhaven hamlet, with a pleasing variety both of architectural interest and economic diversity.

Older address sources for the Keene residence refer to its address as being 5 Hawkins Ln.; more modern sources reference Wallace Ln. Today a few modern houses line Wallace Ln., suggesting that it may have been the original farm road off Hawkins Ln. back to the Wallace Valentine Keene house, and that lots were sold off along it.

  «»
Sources
21-Sources: Meg Koch, Research by Richard Thomas and John Deitz «»
Theme
22-Theme:   Residential  
Prepared By: 
  John Deitz  
Supplemental Material:
  Patchogue Advance, 11 Jan 1927, p. 12
Allen Keene of Sleepy Hollow Farm, local milkman, is confined to his bed with neuritis. During the last week Mr. Keene has sold several of his good milch cows. Keene caters to Bellport and Brookhaven. Herbert Wickham, proprietor of Edge Water Inn, is taking care of the dairy and overseeing the farm during Mr. Keene's illness. Mr. Keene says he will keep a couple of cows and a few hundred chickens and when he is fully recovered he will stock up again in the spring.