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In 1998 the Town of East Hampton celebrated its 350th
anniversary. This alone makes it special; few places in America
were settled earlier. Even among those that were, none have
the unique character peculiar to East Hampton.
A Cradle of American History
East Hampton was founded in 1648 by
a group of farmers & fishermen who came here from Connecticut
across Long Island Sound. They came to make their living and
not for freedom. Early East Hampton was as much a theocracy
as the Massachussetts of the Puritans; we even had our witches
and witchcraft trials - but fortunately no hangings or burning
at the stake, although we came close.
Farming and fishing was the livelihood
for most until the beginning of the 20th century when the
town began to attract wealthy families, artists and writers
as a refuge from the city.
Bizarre English Laws
This is a unique town in that it is
both rural and remote, governed by laws and governing bodies
some of which date back to King Charles I, but only barely,
since the king was beheaded by Oliver Cromwell's short lived
republic in 1649, a year after our founding.
Early Settlers Rule ...
The town of East Hampton has such an
extraordinary historical heritage that it could easily serve
as the classroom of America, while at the same time being
the subject of a soap opera, sprinkled with delicious gossip
and excitement worthy of any modern day tabloid story. In
fact, in the last few years, East Hampton has become less
a geographic location than a state of mind.
While it is home to some families
that can trace their lineage back 10-12 generations in East
Hampton and even earlier, to the village of Maidstone in East
Anglia on the eastern shore of England, it is also the backyard
playground of New York's (and lately, Hollywood's) business,
media and entertainment heavyweights.
... Very New Money
It is also home to many of America's
movers & shakers, and is replete with all the peculiar baggage
that comes with runaway egos engaged in the endless dance
of social climbing and posturing.
In fact, some of those egos frequently
try to do battle with one of these ancient governing bodies,
the Town Trustees, who hold legal title to the waterways and
the land under the waterways in the town. The Trustees hold
their title by virtue of a land patent from a colonial governor
(Dongan) which predates the existence of the State of New
York and yet has been upheld repeatedly by the courts of New
York.
Year-Round Paradise
However, for the casual vacationer
it is paradise - a carefree vacation-like atmosphere, quaint
New England-type villages and farmlands, some of the most
pristine beaches on earth, lots of great restaurants, exciting
nightlife, great shopping & antiquing, in other words, all
the makings of the ultimate vacation.
Today East Hampton is hot and it's
not merely the weather. East Hampton is not only the summer
getawawy of choice, it is, if that is possible, even more
beautiful, and serene during the fall and winter months. Its
year-round charm is what makes it so attractive to artists
& writers who seek solitude and inspiration for their work.
In fact, some artists claim that East Hampton has a unique
kind of light, possibly created by a combination of atmospheric
conditions resulting from the proximity of woods and ocean,
that gives it a shimmering dancing quality which greatly enhances
their ability to produce their artwork.
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