The Oaks on Long Island Sound
Thomas Pell purchased a neck of land in New Rochelle, NY, from the area’s Native Americans in 1654. He received a patent for the land in 1666 from Governor Richard Nicolls. The neck went through a succession of owners before it was bought in 1784 by Lewrence and Newberry Davenport from Queens, Long Island. Since then, it has carried the Davenport name.
In the 1870’s, the building of railroads brought wealthy New Yorkers to the area, where they began building large estates and summer vacation homes. The seawall was constructed by Philip Be in 1889, and in 1893 Thomas Turner purchased The Oaks and constructed The Turner House in 1900. Over the years, many of the stately homes were refurbished or torn down, yet the charming, country seaside estate remained untouched. Turner leased the property as a girl’s school until 1914.
In 1919, the property was sold to Charles and Magdalene Klingenstein, who often invited nurses and nursing students from Mount Sinai to come to the Oaks for rest and relaxation. In 1946, they gave the location to the Alumnae Association of the Mount Sinai School of Nursing. In 1999, Dr. Harold Osborn bought the estate from the nurses association, and established a community based healing center and 501(c)3 non-profit organization. In 2008, he donated The Oaks Estate to The New Dawn Foundation, which continues to offer this beautiful haven as a place for renewal and growth.
In the 1870’s, the building of railroads brought wealthy New Yorkers to the area, where they began building large estates and summer vacation homes. The seawall was constructed by Philip Be in 1889, and in 1893 Thomas Turner purchased The Oaks and constructed The Turner House in 1900. Over the years, many of the stately homes were refurbished or torn down, yet the charming, country seaside estate remained untouched. Turner leased the property as a girl’s school until 1914.
In 1919, the property was sold to Charles and Magdalene Klingenstein, who often invited nurses and nursing students from Mount Sinai to come to the Oaks for rest and relaxation. In 1946, they gave the location to the Alumnae Association of the Mount Sinai School of Nursing. In 1999, Dr. Harold Osborn bought the estate from the nurses association, and established a community based healing center and 501(c)3 non-profit organization. In 2008, he donated The Oaks Estate to The New Dawn Foundation, which continues to offer this beautiful haven as a place for renewal and growth.