With the snip of a ribbon and the grand opening of the Little Red Shed in East Patchogue, a new chapter began at the historic Avery Homestead, marking a new milestone in the community’s effort to preserve local history and breathe life into the past.
The cheerful red outbuilding—restored and repurposed as a gift shop and fundraising hub—now stands proudly beside the Victorian house museum, offering visitors a tangible way to support the ongoing revitalization of one of Suffolk’s historically rich properties.
Dozens of residents, preservationists, and elected officials turned out to celebrate the grand opening, which the Greater Patchogue Historical Society organized in partnership with Suffolk County Parks. The event featured guided museum tours by curator Susan Shiebler, who assembled displays depicting the Avery Family through generations of artifacts.
“Thank you to my partners in the Suffolk County Parks Department, the Greater Patchogue Historical Society, Senator Dean Murray, and Assemblyman Joe DeStefano,” said Legislator Dominick Thorne at the ceremony.
“I’m proud to have been a part of preserving our history in perpetuity, so that future generations can enjoy the beauty of this property and learn about our great American history,” Thorne continued. “Your teamwork was essential, and I’m so happy we were able to achieve this. I’d also like to thank everyone who came to celebrate and tour the property. I’m sure that sharing the incredible stories of the Avery family and learning about how they lived will make our community even stronger.”
The Avery Homestead is no ordinary patch of preserved land. The 11.5-acre property—once home to Swan River Nursery and the whimsical Peppermint Stik Farm—is packed with history dating back to 1752 when Humphry Avery first acquired it through a Winthrop patent. Originally part of a massive 17th-century land grant secured by Connecticut Governor John Winthrop Jr. from the Unkechaug Sachem Tobacus, the patent covered a vast stretch of Long Island’s south shore and laid the foundation for many early colonial settlements.
From connections to the Unkechaug tribe to links with famed animator Tex Avery and industrialist R. Stanton Avery, the site reflects a vivid slice of American lineage.
Assemblyman Joe DeStefano, who joined the celebration, praised the collaborative effort that brought the project to life. “It’s amazing what can happen when a community comes together with a common purpose,” DeStefano said. “This project isn’t just about saving an old building—it’s about preserving the stories, the values, and the spirit of the people who helped shape our county. The Little Red Shed might be small, but it represents something very big: the heart of East Patchogue.”
DeStefano added, “These kinds of projects don’t just preserve the past—they inspire the future. Young people who visit here will leave with a deeper understanding of where they come from and what it means to care for a community.”
The newly restored structure will serve as a key fundraising vehicle to help maintain and restore the estate’s various buildings, which include the 1820 gambrel frame house, a 1930 Dutch Colonial Revival-style barn, and a hexagonal fountain dating back to 1921. Every purchase made in the Little Red Shed supports the effort to preserve and share this rare and remarkable property.
“It’s not just about bricks and mortar,” said Steve Lucas of the Greater Patchogue Historical Society. “This is about bringing history to life—making it walkable, touchable, and sustainable for generations to come.”
Much credit has been given to Thorne, whose advocacy helped secure $250,000 in funding from Suffolk County to stabilize and restore the main house and outbuildings. His effort has also spurred attention to other vulnerable historic sites throughout the county, including the nearby Bianchi/Weiss property, now designated a nature preserve.
The Little Red Shed is open on weekends and during special events. Shiebler encouraged community members to stop in, pick up a local souvenir, and learn more about the people and events that shaped East Patchogue’s storied past.
As Thorne put it at the ribbon cutting: “We don’t just inherit history—we build on it. And today, we built something lasting.”