My son and I visited the Walt Whitman Birthplace while in the area and really enjoyed ourselves. Our guide was knowledgeable, friendly, and very open to lots of questions! I highly recommend a stop to find out a little more about the life of this great poet and American!
As a belated Father's Day gift, my daughter, knowing my love for Whitman - his poetry and life - arranged a visit to the Walt Whitman Birthplace at Huntington Station, Long Island. It was truly a wonderful experience. The guided tour of the house where he was born and lived in for the first four years of his life alone was worth the visit, but there was so much more ! We learned about Whitman's writings, political and social views, life experiences, and even heard an actual recording of his voice ! I loved the hanging banners with photos and quotes about Whitman from Langston Hughes, Muriel Rukeyser, and especially from Pablo Neruda. I also appreciated greatly the connections made with contemporary themes, art and poetry. I also realized that one visit is not enough, and will definitely return. Furthermore, the setting is simply gorgeous, and the staff friendly and knowledgeable.
Had a nice young man as my tour guide, who worked there for the summer. The place was interesting. Set aside an hour to view this lovely but small place.
Though the museum is not large, the video they played was very informative and the various Whitman artifacts they had were great. The tour into the actual home was wonderful. I felt honored to be walking through the same house that long ago was Walt Whitman's first home. It was definitely worth the visit when I was at my grandparents in Commack--if you happen to be in or around Huntington Station, check out the Walt Whitman Birthplace!
I'd visited the Whitman house as a kid growing up on Long Island, based on my long-standing interest in both poetry and American history. Back then, it was dark, run-down, and forlorn. Forty-five years later (at 64), living in San Francisco, I mentioned to a friend that I was about to visit relatives back east, and he recommended a return visit. The renovation was astounding, and gave a great sense of how the family lived, There was also a wonderful little film, along with exhibits about Whitman's writing and life -- in a visitor center at just the right scale and distance so as not to seem overdone.There's also a landscaped, grassy area adjacent to the house, available to rent out for social functions. In light of what we know about Whitman, it would be the perfect spot for a gay wedding!
My mom and I started our trip to Long Island with a visit to Walt Whitman birthplace. We enjoyed our guided tour of the house, the opportunity to hear Whitman's voice and recall his poetry.
We really enjoyed our visit here to the birthplace of one of the great American writers. We toured the museum, house of birth and the adjacent grounds. Very interesting!
Dear Carole B,Thank you kindly for your feedback. We apologize that our Victorian High Tea did not meet your standards, but truly appreciate your honest opinion.With your advice in mind, we have hired a Victorian Tea Party Coordinator who will oversee all the details mentioned in your review. While we apologize that the Tea Party did not meet your expectations, we are thankful that you let us know so that we can rectify the situation for future Tea Party guests and improve this new and evolving program.We are glad that you enjoyed the tour of Whitman's historic home and would like to invite you, your family and friends back for a complimentary tour of the site. I sent you a private message to arrange this.Thank you again, Carole.Warm regards,Kim PlummerMedia and Events DirectorWalt Whitman Birthplace State Historic Site
After the video, we were given a guided tour of the house and then wandered around the exhibits. I was amazed and delighted that I was allowed to take as many photos as I wished (many of which are now on my blog), and the staff were remarkably helpful: this was our last day of travel and we had to take the hired car back, and they provided us with full directions.
Needed more time to see all there was to see, museum tour was rushed although technically one could peruse at will at later time point. House tour was thorough albeit brief. Movie hard to hear, sl. garbled but house, shop, displays/museum, all fantastic commemoration for such a great and accomplished American. Slightly understated-wish there was more!! Would have liked to be involved in the poetry contest for children but caters to only the immediate area. As was his birth place, it was nice they had info on other relevant areas of his life.Well done.