Elderfields Preserve: Home of The Art Guild

A Place Where History and Creativity Meet

Nestled within the beautiful Elderfields Preserve in Manhasset, Elderfields is one of the oldest surviving homes on Long Island. Dating to approximately 1675, this remarkable house has witnessed more than 350 years of local history while continuing to serve the community in new and inspiring ways.

Today, Elderfields is home to The Art Guild, where artists of all ages gather to learn, create, exhibit, and connect. Visitors can explore art exhibitions, take classes and workshops, attend special events, and experience the unique charm of one of Long Island’s most historic buildings.

A Remarkable Historic Home

Originally built during the earliest years of European settlement on Cow Neck, Elderfields—also known as the Hewlett-Munson-Williams House—is an architectural treasure unlike any other.

Rather than being constructed all at once, the house evolved over three centuries. Three separate structures, built during different periods, were eventually joined together, creating the distinctive home that stands today. Original timber framing, wide plank floors, Dutch doors, fireplaces, and hand-forged hardware remain throughout the house, offering a rare glimpse into Long Island’s colonial past.

The property remained in the Hewlett family for more than 225 years before being purchased in 1904 by Carlos W. Munson, who gave the estate its enduring name: Elderfields.

From Family Farm to Community Landmark

Once the center of a 190-acre farm, Elderfields has played an important role in the development of the surrounding community.

Carlos Munson, heir to the Munson Steamship Line fortune, helped shape much of Flower Hill and Port Washington, laying out roads and neighborhoods while donating land that would eventually become part of St. Francis Hospital.

Today, Elderfields continues its tradition of serving the community—not as a private estate, but as a vibrant cultural destination where history, education, and the arts come together.

Take a walking tour and learn more about the history of the Elderfields Preserve