Visiting the Dodge Homestead in Port Washington is a lot like leaping back in time – starting with the year 1721. That’s when Thomas Dodge first built the Dutch Colonial farmhouse, overlooking both historic Mill Pond and Manhasset Bay.
The farmhouse – which served as home to seven generations of Dodge family members up until 1993 – has been lovingly maintained by the Cow Neck Peninsula Historical Society (CNPHS).
The Historical Society is opening the Dodge House doors to the community on Saturday, May 11, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. for its annual Dodge Homestead Spring Fling. The family-friendly afternoon features tours of the grounds and stories about the people who lived there.
Of course, a lot has changed since Thomas Dodge first built the farmhouse on the 54 acres of land he purchased for his family home.
The land, for example, was farmed until 1898, with produce shipped to the New York market.
Over time, the Dodge children attended the Sands Point School up the hill, which offered a view of the Dodge House. The Mill Pond became an important community center, with a blacksmith, two tidal mills, a bicycle shop with a courtroom upstairs, a general store and post office, a blacksmith, a butcher, and even a hotel.
The Historical Society will share insights about the Dodge Family and how life has transformed since Thomas Dodge’s day.
During the Spring Fling, the Society will lead a guided walk around Mill Pond at 2 p.m. when visitors can learn about the tidal mills, early settlers, our first schoolhouse and the first church in Port Washington.
The afternoon will feature the music of the Society’s Front Porch Players, as well as an opportunity to meet Ross, the ground’s beekeeper, who will be discussing the Homestead’s honey bees.
And yes, Dodge Homestead honey will be available for sale, as well as Port Washington “circa 1644” tee shirts, home-baked goods, jewelry, brand new CNPHS Journals and books about old Port Washington, and even some unique attic treasures. And new this year, there will be Story Time for the little ones.
The Dodge House is located at 58 Harbor Road (at the head of the Mill Pond), and there is free parking along the north side of Mill Pond. For more information, visit www.cowneck.org.
Admission to the Spring Fling is free.
