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 which have a suffix of “S” are supplemental sites not included in the original surveys.
Building-Structure Inventory Form
Hubert house "Whynot"
If checked, this is a Supplemental Form, not in the original surveys.
Br10
07-26-1982
01-01-1970
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Submitter
Submitter Name:
Town of Brookhaven/SPLIA
Submitter Address:
Town Hall 205 S. Ocean Ave. Patchogue, NY 11772 631-634-7806
Brookhaven Community Development Agency
Identification
Hubert house "Whynot"
Suffolk
Brookhaven
Hamlet of Brookhaven
If checked, this site is within the Fire Place (Brookhaven Hamlet) Historic District
Ownership
4a-Public Site
4b-Private Site
J. McNeil, Phil Rubin
same
Use
residence and barn
two separate residences
Accessibility
7a-Visible From Road
7b-Interior Accessible
by appointment
Building Materials
8a-Clapboard
8b-Stone
8c-Brick
8d-Board & Batten
8e-Cobblestone
8f-Shingles
8g-Stucco
asphalt siding
Structural System
9a-Wood Frame Interlocking Joints
9b-Wood Frame Light Members
9c-Masonry
9d-Metal
9e-Other
9a- east section
Condition
10a-Excellent
10b-Good
10c-Fair
10d-Deteriorated
Integrity
11a-Original Site
11b-Moved
Barn converted to summer residence early 1900s. Main house central section added late 19th c. and west section 1940s.
Photo & Map
Threats
14a-None Known
14b-Zoning
14c-Roads
14d-Developers
14e-Deterioration
may be divided
Related Outbuildings and Property
15a-Barn
15b-Carriage House
15c-Garage
15d-Privy
15e-Shed
15f-Greenhouse
15g-Shop
15h-Gardens
15i-Landscape Features
heavily wooded, on high rise overlooking road
tennis court
Surroundings of the Building
16a-Open Land
16b-Woodland
16c-Scattered Bldgs
16d-Densely Built-up
16e-Commercial
16f-Industrial
16g-Residential
working farm across the street
Interrelationship of Building and Surroundings
This house is located on South Country Road, formerly the Montauk Highway, in the Hamlet of Brookhaven.
Other Notable Features of Building and Site
Significance
east section 1830s; mid section c. 1880s
Maust, architect for the west section addition
Historic and Architectural Importance
2 1/2 story, three bay, gambrel roof, Colonial Revival house with sweeping Dutch-style roof on south façade covering wide porch with three large French windows. Second floor porch on south projecting from main roof in dormer form. 4/4 balcon fenetee windows. Lunette in attic. Brick foundation. 1 1/2 story gable roof wing on east is actually the older section, built c. 1836. Porch and dormer added later, and windows changed to 4/4. 2 1/2 story addition on NW is modern addition.
[By the early 20th century, the residence was occupied by the Dr. Nathaniel Matson, a prominent physician of Brooklyn, NY, probably as a Summer residence.]
[In 1933 it was recorded as being occupied by Philip A. Hubert and called "Whynot."]
On the NE stands a large barn, converted in early 1900s to a summer residence; it is now separately owned. [The barn-house was named "Barnstead" by the Hubert family and was used as kitchen, an "overflow" bedroom for the Hubert children as the family grew, and as a guest house. Near to "Barnstead" is a small outbuilding that the Huberts called the slave house. The Hubert family garage has, in more modern times, been modified as a guest house. Both barn and garage are currently (2004) under common ownership]
[The Hubert property originally extended from South Country Road through to Beaverdam Rd., and included about 25 acres. It included several other dwellings, including one for his son, Philip A. Hubert, Jr. and a small cottage near Beaver Dam Road for the pianist Carol Robinson, where she lived after she had to vacate the cottage down near Beaverdam Creek (Br09E); this house subsequently was destroyed by fire and a modern house is now on the site. Also on the estate were several barns and outbuildings, some of which have been converted to residences.]
[There is evidence, such as 19th century maps and newspaper notes, that suggest that the original "core" section of the modern house and out buildings were originally the home and farmstead for the Cornelius Corson family, farmers who settled in Brookhaven Hamlet about 1858, perhaps around the time of Cornelius' marriage. More research is required to determine the early 19th century history,]
Sources
Atlas of the Ocean Shore of Suffolk, L.I. easterly section, Vol. I, Pl. 10, E. Belcher-Hyde, 1915.
LI Advance 2 Oct 2008, From the Archives of the Long Island Advance. 75 Years Ago. Residence name and occupant reported.
LI Advance 1 Oct 2009. From the Archives of the Long Island Advance. 75 Years Ago. "Mr. And Mrs Philip A. Hubert and family have closed 'Whynot' and returned to their Brooklyn residence. They will open their smaller cottage, 'Barnstead,' for weekends."
4b-Private Site