Mills Pond House
✅ Mills Pond House – St. James, NY
🏡 Origins & Architecture
Built between 1838–1840 for William Wickham Mills, a prosperous local farmer and town supervisor (1838–1841).
Design: Greek Revival style by noted NYC architect Calvin Pollard, who also designed Brooklyn Borough Hall. The house utilized high-quality imported materials such as English glass, Santo Domingo mahogany, and Connecticut stone.
🌳 Mills Family Legacy
Namesake: The Mills family—descendants of early settler Timothy Mills—settled the area, naming it “Mills Pond” (originally “Cuttscunsuck” by Native Americans).
In 1840, William Mills and his wife Eliza moved in with their eight children; a ninth was born there in 1842. The estate included orchards with over 1,000 apple trees and ornamental plantings, some of which survive today.
The house was considered the earliest documented architect-designed residence in the area, highlighting Mills' prominence.
🏛️ Community Role & Transition
After Mills’ death in 1865, the property was inherited by his grandson Dubois Smith, then eventually by Smith’s daughters Josephine and Mildred, who donated the house to the Town of Smithtown in 1976.
The building now hosts the Smithtown Township Arts Council and operates as the Mills Pond Gallery, offering art exhibitions, classes, and cultural events year-round.
🏆 Historic Recognition
The house is part of the Mills Pond District, a historic district established in St. James and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973 (Ref# 73001277).
✨ Notable Highlights
Original features still visible include paneled shutters, marble mantelpieces, grill-covered attic vents, and the farmhouse’s signature circular driveway.
Despite modern modifications for accessibility and gallery use, the structure’s historic character remains intact.
📍 Location: 660 North Country Road (NY-25A), St. James, NY
📅 Key Dates: built 1838–1840 → donated 1976 → landmarked 1973
The Mills Pond House stands as a testament to Long Island’s 19th-century affluence, featuring architectural elegance and continuous community engagement—from its origins as a family estate to its current role as a cultural arts center.
