Oyster Bay in Nassau County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Old Orchard
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
— National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior —
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 6, 2015
1. Old Orchard Marker
“Tired of living here and there in rented houses,” wrote Eleanor Roosevelt, in 1937 she and her husband Ted Jr. purchased four acres of Sagamore Hill from his mother. The Georgian-style home, built in 1938, sat at the south end of the old apple orchard. It was smaller than Sagamore Hill, but suited their needs. It had twelve rooms, servants’ quarters on the east wing, a semi-formal garden in the rear of the home, and a cold cellar to store vegetables and other perishable goods. The north end of the farm included a multi-bay garage for the family’s automobiles and a small cottage for the site foreman. In honor of their surroundings, they called their new home “Old Orchard.”
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. In addition, it is included in the Eleanor Roosevelt series list.
Location. 40° 53.185′ N, 73° 29.83′ W. Marker is in Oyster Bay, New York, in Nassau County
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Old Orchard Home (a few steps from this marker); Housing the Staff (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Nature Trail and Woodland (about 300 feet away); Sagamore Hill National Historic Site (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Sagamore Hill National Historic Site (about 500 feet away); From Barn to Home (about 600 feet away); Chicken House (about 700 feet away); Farm Tools (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oyster Bay.
More about this marker. The background of the marker features a photograph depicting the Theodore Roosevelt Jr. family posing with their pets in 1936. Seen in the photo are Theodore Roosevelt III, Theodore Roosevelt Jr., William McMillan, Grace Green McMillan holding William McMillan Jr., Eleanor Roosevelt, Cornelius Van Shaack Roosevelt, and Quentin Roosevelt II. A map of the Old Orchard Farm appears at the upper right of the marker. It shows the location of the marker as well as the Old Orchard Home, Cold Cellar, Foreman’s Cottage, and Garage. Below this is a photograph of the house with a caption of “The Roosevelts’ son-in-law, architect William McMillan, designed Old Orchard.”
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 6, 2015
2. Old Orchard Marker
The Old Orchard House can be seen behind the marker.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 6, 2015
3. Marker at Sagamore Hill
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 6, 2015
4. Old Orchard House
Credits. This page was last revised on July 21, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 7, 2015, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 290 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 7, 2015, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
