HISTORY
Brecknock Hall was built as the family home of David Gelston Floyd, whaling entrepreneur and grandson of General William Floyd, the sole Long Islander who at great risk signed the Declaration of Independence.
The Floyd Family
The Floyd family originally hailed from Brecknockshire in South Wales, United Kingdom. David Floyd was raised on his grandfather’s estate in Mastic Beach, Long Island and settled in Greenport in 1845. He started building Brecknock Hall in 1851, modeling it after the family home in Mastic. Named in tribute of the family’s ancestral home county, it served as the main house on a 100-acre farm.
David was prominent businessman, managing several whaling ships, breeding cattle and horses, and running a working farm on the grounds of Brecknock Hall. Supervisor of Southold Town and a member of the NYS Legislature, David was known for his quaint personality and dry sense of humor.
Built in 1857
Comprising a central block flanked by two wings, the home was made of glacial stone quarried on the north portion of the lot and pulled into place by oxen. Larger stones for the lintels, steps, window and door sills were brought across the Sound by schooner from Connecticut.
The design was purposely intended to represent great wealth and success. Its estimated value in 1858 was $30,000. The home remained in the Floyd family for three succeeding generations.
Changing Hands
As the generations of Floyds dwindled, so too did the future of Brecknock Hall as the Floyd family home. Frederica Haneman Haldeman and her children were the last of the Floyds to own the home. It was sold to William Pollert in 1965, with many of its furnishings being distributed to remaining family and local historical societies.
Restored in 2008
Thanks to the dedication of the not-for-profit Brecknock Hall Foundation and many craftsmen and volunteers, the Hall was restored from 2008 to 2010 to its original splendor.
Brecknock Hall is listed on the national, New York State and Southold Town Registers of Historic Places.
Today
Today Brecknock Hall is owned by Peconic Landing which operates it as a community center and event hall. The proceeds of these events are used to maintain the hall and its historic heritage. The Brecknock Hall Foundation, comprised of local civic volunteers and Peconic Landing members and staff serve as stewards of this magnificent historic building.
Brecknock Hall serves the North Fork of Long Island as a meeting place for not-for-profits, educational programs, and special community events.