Hampton Bays - The Hampton Bays Historical and Preservation Society (HBHPS) dinner at Villa Paul - no speeches, no hoopla, just a gathering of community minded people getting together to share a dinner in support of historical preservation.

In the summer the Hamptons have more charitable and fundraising events than even the most fleet of foot reporter can cover, but in the winter things slow down a bit. The events may wane but the need remains, particularly with community based, grassroots organizations.

Early dinner arrivals Salinda Mentzer-Brown, Board Member Annabel Brown and Richard Brown.

Such is the case of local organizations like the HBHPS, which is dedicated to preserving the history of the community that was originally called Good Ground before 11 hamlets were incorporated into what is now known as Hampton Bays in 1922. Director Brenda Sinclair explained, "We have various functions throughout the year and last year we decided we needed to do something in the winter and Villa Paul was nice enough to help us out."

Owned by three generations of the Pensa family, Villa Paul restaurant is a local favorite that has had a long reputation of community support. The site of the restaurant is itself historical and the current structure still retains part of the original log cabin built by Joseph and Phebe Brown in 1804. Along with a wonderful dinner, generously discounted by Villa Paul, supporters had the opportunity to partake in a 50/50 raffle and win gifts from a table full of donated raffle prizes.

The Babor family: Pat, Margarite and Ed.

Founded in 1994 the HBHPS collects and preserves historical local documents, art, artifacts and photographs in their archives as research and educational resources. Presently, their two most ambitious projects are the restoration of the Prosper King House and their efforts to prevent the destruction of the Canoe Place Inn, both located on Montauk Highway.

The latter, an historic 1739 tavern and stagecoach stop that was rebuilt in 1921 after it was destroyed by a fire, was a favorite getaway of New York Governor and presidential candidate Al Smith. According to various sources other celebrity guests have included Franklin D. Roosevelt, Albert Einstein, Cary Grant, Babe Ruth, Helen Hayes, Lou Gehrig, Gary Cooper, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. [For more information go to the Hamptons.com June 2009 article at
www.hamptons.com/News/Main-Articles/7419/Plans-To-Revamp-Canoe-Place-Inn-Stir-Groundswell.html?j=1.

Built in 1830, the Prosper King House, which is well under way regarding its restoration, will become the permanent home of the HBHPS society and its archives. Presently the society shares space with the Hampton Bays Chamber of Commerce. According to Sinclair, "We hope to have the restoration done by the fall. We have been working on it for four years. We have two other properties that we own but have not been able to work on yet, the Canoe Place Chapel and the Lyzon Hat Shop."

Although the HBHPS dinner was in competition with the New York Jets playoff game, it was well attended by the community minded citizens of Hampton Bays. Great food, great fun and community camaraderie in support of an organization dedicated to the preservation of the unique historical identity of Hampton Bays.

For more information on future events and to help support the work of the HBHPS go to www.hamptonbayshistoricalsociety.org.

Vintage archived postcard of the Canoe Place Inn. Image courtesy of the Hampton Bays Historical and Preservation Society