UnHampton

To truly understand what makes Bellport, New York the remarkable place it is, it helps to be familiar with the local history of preservation and conservation. Victor Principe has gathered in one volume the what, when, where, and who, to tell a story about discovery, development, change, maturity, and memory that underlie our experience of this area today. It wasn’t just luck. As Bellport emerged as a full-fledged summer destination in the later part of the 19th century, awareness that its charms relied on more than its resort-like amenities became evident. It was loved because of what Captain Bell’s generation had left behind: houses and streets nestled on an elevation overlooking the bay. As Bellport grew, respect and admiration for what had come before informed what was built after, and that is why, Victor argues, Bellport looks the way it does today.

Because this tiny village, and the hamlet next door, endeavored to keep their characters more or less the way they had always been, they endowed upon
themselves a very strong sense of place that would survive both depression and suburbanization. As change swirled around them, they, as a consequence, became ever more distinct. Following generations were determined to maintain this sense of place, despite the inexorable post-war growth of Long Island and the obscurity that befell this once popular summer place. But by the late 20th century, social forces challenged that determination – and quality of life – as it became clear instinct alone could no longer be relied upon to preserve what made Bellport and the hamlet unique.