Cedarmere, located on Bryant Avenue in Roslyn Harbor, was the rural
Long Island home of the prominent nineteenth-century American poet, civic
leader and newspaper editor William Cullen Bryant, from 1843 until his
death in 1878. Bryant purchased the house as a retreat from the pressures
and congestion of New York City, where he could work on his poetry and
indulge his love of nature.
The oldest section of the house was constructed in 1787 by William Kirk,
a Quaker farmer. Bryant greatly enlarged the original farmhouse, renovating
it several times during his ownership. In addition, he planted numerous
exotic trees and flowers on the grounds, transforming the estate into a
horticultural showplace.
Following William Cullen Bryant's death in 1878, Cedarmere passed in
turn to his daughter Julia and his grandson Harold Godwin. Mr. Godwin added
such features as the stone bridge and Sunken Garden to the landscape, and
rebuilt the house following a major fire in 1902. The seven acre estate
was left to Nassau County by Harold Godwin's daughter Elizabeth to preserve
as a memorial to William Cullen Bryant.
Visitors to Cedamere are encouraged to view the exhibits in the house.
Directions to Cedarmere
Cedarmere is located on Bryant Avenue in Roslyn Harbor. Take Glen Cove
Road to the third traffic light north of Northern Boulevard. Make a left,
going uder the railroad trestle. Turn left at the stop sign, and then bear
right onto Bryant Avenue. Take Bryant Avenue to the traffic light and bear
left. The entrance to the Cedarmere parking lot will be on your right approximately
four tenths of a mile beyond this light.
Please note that there is no access to Cedarmere northbound on Bryant
Avenue, from Roslyn village.
Hours of Operation
Cedarmere is open weekends, May through early November :
Saturdays: 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Sundays: 1 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Admission is free.
For further information, or to make group reservations for weekday or
weekend visits, call (516) 571-8130.Visitors with special needs
are encouraged to call in advance to insure the best possible visit.
