Nestled in the heart of North Hempstead, Old Westbury is a neighborhood where past and present intertwine along shady lanes and stately drives. With its sprawling estates, historic mansions, renowned institutions, and lush gardens, Old Westbury has long been an address synonymous with prestige and quiet beauty. But behind the elegant façade lies a rich tapestry of stories dating back over three centuries—a legacy still felt in the brick walks and rolling fields today. As a longtime resident, allow me to share why Old Westbury's heritage stands apart, and why our village remains so beloved.
Colonial Beginnings and the Quaker Spirit
Old Westbury traces its origins to the late 17th century, when English Quakers, fleeing persecution, settled in what was then the wilderness of Long Island. Around 1670, early families such as the Hicks and the Tituses arrived, drawn by the promise of religious tolerance and a fertile, rolling landscape. The land, once known by Native Americans as part of the vast Hempstead Plains, provided room for farms and orchards that would sustain generations.
The neighborhood’s name evolved from the simple term “Westbury”—a nod to Westbury, Wiltshire in England—eventually becoming “Old Westbury” in the late 19th century, to distinguish it from neighboring Westbury Village as the local population grew and divided. The Quaker Meeting House, located on Old Westbury Road, stands as a living testament to this founding spirit. Built in 1700 and still used today, it is one of the oldest houses of worship on Long Island, embodying the community’s enduring roots of tolerance and peace.
The Gilded Age: Mansions, Estates, and High Society
Old Westbury’s character shifted dramatically with the arrival of the Gilded Age. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, New York’s wealthiest families looked to Long Island for respite from city life. Its gently rolling hills and proximity to Manhattan made it a destination for sprawling estates.
Many of Old Westbury’s now-iconic mansions were constructed along what is now Old Westbury Road, Post Road, and Wheatley Road. Grand properties were designed by celebrated architects for industrialists and financiers such as the Phipps, Whitney, and Hutton families. The most famous of these is Old Westbury Gardens on Post Road—a magnificent Charles II-style mansion built in 1906 for John S. Phipps, surrounded by 200 acres of formal gardens. Today, Old Westbury Gardens is a public treasure, hosting thousands of visitors annually for tours, concerts, and exhibits. Strolling through its rose gardens or across the great lawn, you feel transported into another era.
Notable Landmarks and Hidden Gems
Beyond Old Westbury Gardens, the village is rich in other historic and scenic sites:
- The Meadowbrook Polo Club, the oldest polo club in the United States, continues its traditions just off Jericho Turnpike, recalling the neighborhood’s longstanding equestrian culture.
- The Church of St. Aidan on Northern Boulevard stands as a historical landmark, reflecting the evolving religious landscape.
- SUNY Old Westbury, located on Store Hill Road, represents the 20th-century transformation of estates into centers of learning. Its sweeping 604-acre campus was originally part of the estate holdings of the Whitney family.
- The tree-lined stretch of Wheatley Road remains dotted with historic gates and carriage paths, evoking the genteel lifestyle of the early 1900s.
Parks such as the Old Westbury Pond Preserve offer tranquil escapes amid preserved woodland and waterfowl, reminding us that Old Westbury’s beauty is as much natural as it is man-made.
The Modern Era: Adapting with Grace
Unlike many neighboring communities, Old Westbury has managed to retain its pastoral character largely unchanged, thanks to rigorous zoning laws established in the mid-20th century. Most residential lots are a minimum of two acres, preserving both green space and privacy, and making it one of the most exclusive zip codes in the country.
Yet Old Westbury is far from static. In recent decades, the village has balanced preservation with progress. Several former estates have been converted to institutions that serve the wider community—SUNY Old Westbury being a prime example. The Old Westbury Hebrew Congregation, founded in 1946, reflects the increasing diversity of the region, while modern homes now share space with historic mansions, adding new chapters to the architectural story.
Community institutions like the Old Westbury Police Department on Old Westbury Road and the local fire department foster strong roots of safety and service, while local equestrian centers continue the village’s proud horse culture with riding lessons and shows.
Streets with a Story
Each lane in Old Westbury holds echoes of the past:
- Post Road—Winds past Old Westbury Gardens and remains a showcase for architectural marvels and century-old hedgerows.
- Glen Cove Road and Wheatley Road—Formerly bridle paths, they’re now leafy byways named for the wealth of American titans.
- Harbor Hill Road—Once the site of the imposing Harbor Hill estate of Clarence Mackay, and a crossroads for society’s elite.
If you drive down these roads in spring, the cherry blossoms frame the historic stone walls and iron gates, while in autumn, maples turn the landscape gold.
Community Spirit and Timeless Pride
What truly makes Old Westbury special isn’t only the impressive homes, but the sense of continuity and community spirit. Longtime residents, whose families have lived here for generations, freely share stories of village picnics at the pond, winter sleigh rides, or the annual Old Westbury Gardens plant sale. There’s a shared pride—a feeling of belonging to something rare, yet welcoming, where new traditions can take root alongside the old.
From the historic Quaker Meeting House to the grandeur of Old Westbury Gardens, to the laughter of children in SUNY’s shadow, Old Westbury’s story endures. It’s a place where the echoes of carriage wheels mix with the quiet hum of modern life—where every stone wall and secret garden has a story to tell.
So whether you’re an avid student of history, a lover of architecture, or simply someone seeking a slower pace amid beauty and tradition, Old Westbury is a neighborhood that invites you to pause, reflect, and become part of its ever-unfolding heritage.