Clio Logo

Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve (Former estate of Marshall Field III)

Introduction

Text-to-speech Audio

While still in his 20s, Marshall Field III bought roughly 1,700 acres looking out over Long Island Sound. He built a grand estate, which he named Caumsett, which was the Matinecock tribe’s original name for the land. The home Field built there in 1925 was one of the most opulent Gold Coast mansions. Most of the land, as well as the manor house, came under the authority of the Long Island State Park Commission in 1961. The manor house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places

Images

Caumsett Manor

Sky, Plant, Building, Water

Marshall Field III

Clothing, Face, Outerwear, Hat

Some of the scenery at the preserve

Water, Sky, Cloud, Plant

Backstory and Context

Text-to-speech Audio

In 1921, Marshall Field III, grandson of department store founder Marshall Field and heir to his fortune, purchased approximately 1,700 acres of undeveloped land on Lloyd Neck that looked out over Long Island Sound. At the time, the area was largely overgrown and Field commissioned the Olmsted brothers to landscape the peninsula. He also hired architect John Russell Pope to design the home.

The development of the state was a remarkable feat for the 1920s and featured underground electrical and telephone lines. Full-grown trees and shrubs were brought in by barge and planted. Numerous outbuildings were constructed, including a polo stable, guest cottages, greenhouses, indoor tennis courts, and residences for staff. There were also two ice making facilities on the estate.

Not surprisingly, events at the estate were often equally grand. Field’s second wife, Audrey, was known for throwing lavish parties. One of the legendary events associated with Caumsett was the 1932 “circus party,” which included a china smashing booth and a freak show. Guests in attendance included George Gershwin, Fred Astaire, and Mrs. William Randolph Hearst.

Despite the Fields’ extravagant lifestyle, Marshall Field was careful to help those who worked for him during the Depression. He cut salaries, but did not lay off any of his staff, most of whom also lived on the estate. Compared to many Americans, their life during the economic turmoil of the 1930s was relatively secure.

Fields died in 1956 and in 1961, most of his estate was acquired by the Long Island State Park Commission. Most of the property is now managed as a nature preserve that features a respected bird habitat. The park also features numerous hiking trails.

Sources

Caumsett Manor--Marshall Field Estate, Cold Spring Harbor New York, Historic Structures . December 20th 2016. Accessed April 14th 2021. http://www.historic-structures.com/ny/cold_spring_harbor/caumsett_manor.php#:~:text=Caumsett%20Manor%20is%20one%20of,20th%20century%20American%20country%20estate..

Caumsett, Old Long Island . July 22nd 2008. Accessed April 14th 2021. http://www.oldlongisland.com/2008/07/caumsett.html.

The Caumsett Foundation . Accessed April 14th 2021. https://www.caumsettfoundation.org/.

Additional Information