Fire Island National Seashore - William Floyd Estate: Old Mastic House (U.S. National Park Service)

1724: Floor plan of first floor of Nicoll Floyd's house at Mastic.

The House at Mastic

When Nicoll Floyd first arrived in Mastic in the 1720s, he built a two-story, shingled, wood framed house with three rooms on each floor. It was designed for expansion; and as his wealth and family grew—his 9th child was born in 1748—the house grew as well.

1750 - 1760 First Floor Plan with first and second increments of enlargement.

Between the 1750s and 1760s, Nicoll Floyd added two increments to the original construction. On the east side of the house, a kitchen, servants entry and a bedroom were added. To the west, he added a hall and another bedroom.

1790s First Floor Plans with third increment of enlargement.

When William Floyd returned to Mastic after the Revolutionary War, he enlarged the house, making it suitable for entertaining national leaders, such as his political allies Thomas Jefferson and James Madison.

The West Wing, containing the Plantation Office, added at this time, was removed by 1843.

1857 First Floor Plan showing fourth increment of enlargement.

In 1857, John G. Floyd, Sr. restyled the front of the house, adding the large porch, the cornice, and other details in the Greek Revival style.

He also remodeled the East Wing from a kitchen into a bedroom suite—with the home's first bath—and built a new wing wing on the northeast side for a kitchen, laundry and larder sheds.

1898 First Floor Plan showing fifth increment of enlargement.

In 1898, John G. Floyd, Jr. added a wing on the northwest side to help accommodate the many guests visiting the family during their summer retreats from New York City.

The new northwest wing included a hallway, sitting room and bath.

1920-30s Floor Plan showing sixth increment of enlargement.

In 1920s, Cornelia Floyd Nichols enlarged the northwest wing to accommodate a modern kitchen and expanded the Dining Room, and added a porch to the rear of the wing.

Eight Generations of the Floyd Family lived at the
"Old Mastic House"

From Nicoll (1703-1755) and Tabith Floyd (1705-1755), to William Floyd (1734-1821), to Nicoll Floyd II (1762-1852), to John G. Floyd, Sr. (1806-1881), to John G. Floyd, Jr. (1841-1903), to Cornelia Floyd Nichols (1882-1977) and her son William Floyd Nichols and daughter and son-in-law, eight generations of the Floyd family lived in this house and loved this land. The family donated the estate to the National Park Service in 1965, when it was authorized to become a part of Fire Island National Seashore. The donated the contents of the house in 1977 and the remainder of the property in 1991.

Today you may enjoy a glimpse into the lives of a prospering family and the history of a developing country as you tour the William Floyd Estate.