Sylvester Manor, Colonial estate in Shelter Island, United States.
Sylvester Manor is a Georgian manor house with 46 rooms distributed across multiple floors, including a basement, and features porches adorned with climbing roses. The property also encompasses land currently operated as a working organic farm.
Nathaniel Sylvester purchased the original land in 1651 and established control over the property through the early 1650s. The estate developed over subsequent centuries into a significant agricultural operation.
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.
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