The Arsenal

Written By Dino DiPietro

Here’s a detailed history of The Arsenal (also known as the Job Sammis House) in Huntington, NY 🏛️

🏗️ Origins and Early Construction

  • Built c. 1740 by Joseph Wickes as a grain-storage outbuilding on a 1.5-acre property. Shortly thereafter, Gershom Sexton converted it into a simple dwelling with added rooms and a fireplace. [farmingdal...ogspot.com], [hmvarch.org]

  • Purchased in 1748 by Job Sammis, a local weaver, who enlarged the house in 1765 by adding a north-side room and a second story accessible via ladder. [farmingdal...ogspot.com]

💣 Role During the American Revolution

  • Sammis used the house’s attic to store gunpowder, weapons, and munitions on behalf of the Suffolk County militia in the lead-up to and during the British occupation of Huntington (starting Sept 1, 1776). [farmingdal...ogspot.com], [hmvarch.org]

  • In 1930, during renovations, a cache of colonial muskets was discovered hidden within the original walls—likely placed there during the Revolution. [farmingdal...ogspot.com]

🔧 Later Ownership and Restoration

  • Post-Revolution, Job Sammis lived there until his death in 1792, followed by his wife Elizabeth’s passing in 1796. [farmingdal...ogspot.com]

  • The Town of Huntington purchased the property in 1974, then restored it to its mid-18th-century appearance under the guidance of historian John Stevens. [hmvarch.org]

🏛️ Preservation and Modern Use

🧱 Architectural Features

  • The original 1740 structure used Dutch H-bent framing, typical for granaries (closely spaced anchor beams), later complemented by English framing techniques in subsequent additions. [hmvarch.org]

  • It features shingle cladding, a corner fireplace, and a straightforward, functional layout common in colonial Long Island structures. [hmvarch.org]

📍 Location & Visiting Info

Dino DiPietro