Walt Whitman Birthplace State Historic Site

The Walt Whitman Birthplace State Historic Site is a cedar-shingled farmhouse built in 1816 that stands in Huntington Station. The property includes the original dwelling, a visitor center with exhibits, and a separate gathering space for programs.

Walter Whitman Sr. built the house in 1816, and the poet was born there three years later in 1819. The family eventually moved away, but the property remained a record of the poet's earliest years.

The site displays writings and personal belongings that show how the poet saw the world around him. Visitors can understand his connection to this family home and the rural setting that shaped his thinking.

The site is open during daytime hours and visitors can tour the house, view exhibits in the center, and join guided programs. The grounds are accessible by car, and there is parking available for those arriving by vehicle.

Lilac bushes grow on the property and inspired the poet's famous elegy about mourning and loss. These plants still bloom each spring, connecting visitors directly to a poem that became central to American literature.

Location: New York

GPS coordinates: 40.81705,-73.41233

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:03