Building-Structure Inventory Form

Historical Sites

Building Inventory Form

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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

Keene House (Sleepy Hollow Farm)

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

Inventory Code: Br23A.005-S

Prepared Date: 08-08-2011

Last Modified: 01-01-1970

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Photo

People

Submitter

Submitter Name:

John Deitz

Submitter Address:

7 Locust Rd.

Brookhaven, NY 11719
631-286-3178

Organization:

Identification

1-Building/Site Name:Keene House (Sleepy Hollow Farm)

2a-County:Suffolk

2b-Town:Brookhaven

2c-Village:Hamlet of Brookhaven

If checked, this site is within the Fire Place (Brookhaven Hamlet) Historic District

Ownership

4a-Public Site

4b-Private Site

5a-Owner (at original survey date):

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:

13-Map:
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Threats

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.