Sylvester Manor, Colonial estate in Shelter Island, United States.

Sylvester Manor is a Georgian manor house built in 1737 for Brinley Sylvester, grandson of Nathaniel Sylvester, on Shelter Island. Enslaved Africans and European indentured servants constructed it. The estate spans 8,000 acres and includes a cemetery of unmarked graves for enslaved people. The grounds are now operated as the Sylvester Manor Educational Farm.

English-born colonist Nathaniel Sylvester acquired 8,000 acres on Shelter Island in the 17th century; he and his brother also owned two Barbados plantations and more than 200 enslaved Africans. When he died in 1680, the estate and 23 enslaved people passed to his descendants. The manor house was built in 1737 for his grandson Brinley Sylvester, and the last enslaved person on the property was freed in 1820.

The estate operates an organic farm that provides fresh vegetables and fruits to nearby markets and restaurants while offering visitors hands-on learning about sustainable agriculture. Daily work in the fields demonstrates how traditional farming practices remain relevant today.

The estate is currently undergoing significant restoration work, so visitors should expect possible access changes. It is wise to check the current status before visiting and wear comfortable shoes, as the grounds are expansive and partly uneven.

The estate includes a cemetery with unmarked graves of enslaved people who worked on the property and were freed in 1820. This overlooked site serves as a reminder of a difficult chapter and is important for understanding the complete history of the place.