Sag Harbor Hills, Azurest, and Ninevah Beach Subdivisions Historic District

Sag Harbor Hills, Azurest, and Ninevah Beach Historic District comprises three residential subdivisions along Gardiner's Bay with summer cottages set on spacious lots. The streets are laid out to connect the neighborhoods while providing direct access to Haven's Beach for residents.

The district emerged in the late 1940s as a summer retreat for Black middle-class families during an era when segregation blocked their access to most waterfront areas. This development provided them with beachfront property where they had been systematically excluded.

The community became a gathering place for Black intellectuals and artists seeking summer refuge away from segregated spaces. It shaped residents' sense of belonging to a growing Black middle class with its own social world.

The neighborhood is walkable from the main streets, allowing you to stroll through residential areas at your own pace. The warmer months offer the best experience when properties are more visible and beach access is open to the public.

The development was initiated by a Black teacher from Brooklyn and her architect sister, who designed the original subdivision plan. This female leadership in real estate development was uncommon for the period.