Our History

The Baker House

The Baker House is one of the oldest continuously occupied structures in the United States, dating to the earliest settlers of the Village of East Hampton.

The house was first constructed in 1648 by a sea captain, Daniel Howe. Two years later, he sold it to Thomas Baker, one of East Hampton's original founders, who turned the house into Baker's Tavern. It also served as the town meeting hall, community center, and as the first location of religious services.Over the next 200 years, the house grew and changed. In 1899, James Harper Poor purchased the property. Being a Shakespearean devotee, Mr. Poor named the house, aptly, "As You Like It." In 1911, he undertook a major renovation, which gave the house its present, grand and gracious form.

For the renovation, Mr. Poor engaged Joseph Greenleaf Thorp, a prominent turn-of-the-century architect with ties to the English Arts and Crafts Movement. Coinciding with a period of Anglophilia, which even prompted an attempt to change East Hampton's name back to its original Maidstone, the house was dramatically expanded in Thorp's signature Elizabethan style which stands to this day. The original shingled house was wrapped in stucco, completing in 1917 the transformation of an American Colonial house with hand-hewn beams into an expansive English manor of sprawling rooms and Anglo-refinements.

In 1915, the house served as the location for the wedding of J. Harper Poor's daughter, Mildred. Many of the most prominent figures of the time attended, traveling by private train from Pennsylvania Station in Manhattan to East Hampton. The original wedding invitation and newspaper announcement of the event still hang in our lobby today.

During World War II, the Poor family found itself, if not poor, not as well-heeled as before. Sadly, a trusted financial manager disappeared into the chaos of the War, along with much of the family's fortune."As You Like It" was one of the last assets the family sold, an indication of the affection they held for their idyllic country retreat.

In 1996, Gary and Rita Reiswig, former owners of The Maidstone Arms, purchased the property. They undertook an extensive renovation, returning the house to its original 1917 charm, establishing the name ‘J. Harper Poor Cottage’ as the most elegant small hotel in East Hampton. By word of mouth, they developed a loyal clientele who returned year after year to enjoy this unique place with its unsurpassed personal service. After thirty years of successful innkeeping, the Reiswigs were ready for a change and sold the property.

Today, we welcome you to a new generation - The Baker House 1650. Where heritage has been reimagined and our team has been able to create a renaissance for this superb establishment - incorporating all the amenities and pristine aesthetics one would find when traveling the world. Hence you’ll find, the intimate charm, paired with casual luxury to create the most exceptional destination at The Baker House 1650.

The Baker Carriage House

The Baker Carriage House was part of the original Baker House property dating back to 1883, housing the family's horses and carriages. By the mid 20th century, after many years of disuse, it had fallen into a sad state of disrepair.

In 1957, The Carriage House was purchased by Jeremiah Goodman, the renowned interior design illustrator and artist. Mr. Goodman's brilliant works have included commissions from Ronald and Nancy Reagan, the Duchess of Windsor, Richard Rodgers, and countless members of post-war cognoscenti, as well as every prominent design publication. His expressive watercolors imbue his visions of domestic spaces with a magnificent and personal sense of drama and emotion. In addition to making art based on the interiors, he paints studies for rooms-to-be, creating the vision on which the rooms themselves would be created.

As Mr. Goodman described The Carriage House in his book, Jeremiah, A Romantic Vision: "It was a total dilapidated shell. A building so in need of intensive restoration only an inexperienced person would consider it. I was 'that person.' My father's response to my purchase of an East Hampton carriage house, 'You bought a barn to live in? I have been telling my friends you are successful!"

Jeremiah soon applied his inimitable flair, his flawless style and smart design to the painstaking renovation of The Carriage House. Soon, his elegant and eclectic new home provided a lush and inviting playground for his vast and varied circle of celebrated friends. They included a dazzling array of Post War artists and personalities from the worlds of design, theatre and the arts, including Edward Albee, Bridget Bardot, and Hermione Gingold. Legend has it that Ms. Gingold bestowed a pair of very special gifts upon the house - the opulent stable door handles once belonging to the British Royal Family that remain in the house to this day. Reflecting upon his rollicking good times here, Jeremiah felt that The Carriage House provided dreams and remembrances of his happiest days.

Following a subsequent series of owners, in the winter of 2008 The Carriage House was rejoined with the main home on the estate grounds. Shortly after, a meticulous renovation began, with absolute respect for the home's architectural origins, set to create the exceptional accommodations that exist today. The original barn and hay doors, wrought iron staircase and slate & wooden floors were all retained. The decor was created to complement the home's own inherent clean, comfortable aesthetic and to honor its casual charm. In the spring of 2009, The Baker Carriage House opened to guests, to once again provide the ideal spot for ‘good times.’