George Washington Slept at Sagtikos Manor

Even though Sagtikos Manor is officially in the city of West Bay Shore, that was not its first venue.

"The Manor became a part of West Bay Shore when the zip codes changed in 1932. Before that, it was in West Islip," said Carolyn Agenjo, the president of the West Islip Historical Society. "The G.L. Weeks Library of L.I. History (formerly the George L. Weeks Memorial Library), which is housed in the West Islip Community Center, is actually the property of the Manor."

Sagtikos Manor was built in 1697 by Stephanus Van Cortlandt, who purchased the land from the Secatogue Indian tribe in 1692. In 1758, the house was purchased by Jonathan Thompson of Setauket. When his son, Issac, married Mary Gardiner in 1772, they received the house and 1,207 acres from Jonathan. The couple expanded the home to 14 rooms. The British Army used the home for meetings and as living quarters after they won the Battle of Long Island during the Revolutionary War. In April, 1790, George Washington spent a night at the Manor during his tour of Long Island.

In 1894, Issac Thompson's great grandson, Frederick Diodati Thompson, took over ownership of the Manor. He made the final additions to the home bringing the number of rooms to a total of 42. The last family member who lived in the Manor was Robert David Lion Gardiner, who owned the property from 1935 to 1985 when he deeded the property into a Foundation under his own name. The home was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. Suffolk County purchased the historic home in 2002 when it was in danger of being sold to a developer.

"Sagtikos" is an Indian word which means "head of the snake," which is what the shape of the property resembled when the name was bestowed upon it in the late 1690's.

At one time the grounds included a dairy farm. Now the dairy farm is gone, but the property is still home to a private family cemetery, a carriage house and a walled garden which includes a beautiful bronze sculpture by Bay Shore artist Mary Aldrigde.

In addition to money received from Suffolk County and New York State, the Manor is supported by private donations and volunteer efforts. The Sagtikos Historical Society, also known as "Friends of the Manor," has been working tirelessly to restore the property to its former glory after years of neglect left it in need of some serious renovation. The garden is being lovingly brought back to life by the Friends of the Manor Garden, who also hosts Cultural Landscape Tours of the grounds in July and August.

The Manor is open for tours during July and August. A gift shop is on the premises which can be visited without touring the home first. Other upcoming events at the Manor include the Antique and Classic Car show on July 11 and the Outdoor Art Show on August 22. 

This is the first in a series about the history of the Sagtikos Manor. Next week: The Van Cortlandt Years.