State Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr., (I, D, WF, WE-Sag Harbor) today announced that the William A. Farnum Boathouse in Sag Harbor and the Ellis Squires House in Hampton Bays have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The properties had been added to the New York State Register of Historic Places in October. State and National Register listings can assist property owners in revitalizing buildings, making them eligible for various public preservation programs and services, such as matching state grants and state and federal historic rehabilitation tax credits.

Built circa 1915, the William A. Farnum Boathouse is most closely associated with William Farnum, a prominent, early twentieth century stage and film actor, who had roles in over 20 films from 1930 to his death in 1953. The boathouse featured a lower level for boat storage and an upstairs lounge and trophy room where Mr. Farnum hosted summer and Christmas parties. It is the building most closely associated with Mr. Farnum’s time at his Sag Harbor estate, his public image cultivated by Fox Studios, and his personal interest in boating, fishing, and entertaining friends by the water. The boathouse is one of three structures that remain in its historic location of the former estate, along with the chicken house and barn.

The Federal-style Ellis Squires House is historically significant for its architectural design that represents its post-Revolutionary construction period. The two-story, gable-roofed home was built circa 1790 and has a wealth of exterior and interior fabric dating from its late 18th century construction period. Located on 186 Newtown Lane, it is the oldest surviving dwelling in Hampton Bays and is named for its first owner and builder. It is believed that Ellis Squires Jr. and his wife, Jerusha Rogers, built the house, providing for a family that grew to seven children. Ellis and Jerusha Squires also established a network of descendants and a community that became known as “Squiretown” in the 19th century.

The State and National Registers are the official lists of buildings, structures, districts, landscapes, objects and sites significant in the history, architecture, archeology and culture of New York State and the nation. There are more than 120,000 historic buildings, structures and sites throughout the state listed on the National Register of Historic Places, individually or as components of historic districts. Property owners, municipalities and organizations from communities throughout the state sponsored the nominations.