The Full Moon Arts Center in 2018; East Moriches, Long Island

Historical Facts and legend

According to historical records…

The barn and stable that house the Full Moon Arts Center were built in 1865, the year President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. The original farm was named Holly Tree after the twin trees to the right of where the garage now stands. The main house was the adjacent mansion fronting Montauk Highway and the property was believed to have extended all the way to the Bay.

The original owner was a doctor, we believe from England. He lived on the farm with his family. The unverified story is that on returning from Europe, the transport vessel he sailed on was grounded offshore and sank. All passengers were lost. The only thing recovered was a Linden sapling, which was planted and is the tree now found at the end of the pool. Rumor has it that the spirit of the doctor haunts the east facade of the building that faces the ocean.

After many years of use as farm buildings and municipal storage buildings the structures deteriorated. In 1985 the property was subdivided and seven lots were purchased by architect Raymond Gomez and his wife, interior designer Mariette Gomez. Their renovation of the barn occurred over the next three years and was completed in 1988.