Why In Design: lil' history of the writers and artists here in the East End of Long Island.
Why In Design column:
a series of posts this summer called #UNhamptons
to capture the beauty and history of the East End of Long Island.
an iconic windmill on Stony Brook Southampton College campus channeling writer Tennessee Williams while inspiring talented teens to write. Miles (a talented writer himself) sitting on the steps of the historic windmill after finishing up a workshop here.
Some of my time this summer has been spent capturing the natural beauty of the East End of Long Island. The infamous "Hamptons" is well known for the natural attributes it boasts. One goal of mine this summer is to bring the real Hamptons, the beauty and history here, all those little hidden gems that are often overlooked for the glitzier parties and such. Nothing wrong with parties, but there is so much more to this historic area we collectively named the Hamptons. I created hashtag #UNhamptons over on Instagram and social media to showcase what I love about the area. Today, let me bring you a little tidbit of history about the beauty and culture surrounding the Hamptons.
Tennessee Williams' former home,
a 300 year old windmill in Southampton
This week my son wrapped up a productive and creative week over at the Stony Brook Southampton College campus with the Young Artist Writers Project, a week-long creative writing workshop for teens who are hand-picked to collaborate with one another through their writing. Channeling playwright Tennessee Williams the kids met daily in a 300 year old windmill set on the Southampton campus. The windmill was named a historical landmark in 2013, and in part because it is the former home of the southern playwright while he lived on Long Island in this windmill and wrote his works. In 1957, Williams wrote his play "The Day On Which A Man Dies," which is in part about the story of his friend and local Hampton's artist Jackson Pollock about his last days here. Many people know of Pollock's love and fascination with the Hamptons. In 1945, Pollock and wife artist Lee Krasner moved to the town of Springs to create their works of art. Their home in the picturesque town of Springs (my neighborhood so I'm partial) is now a museum and open to the public for viewing. The beautiful, simple windmill is set on the pastoral campus in Southampton and pays homage to the continued partnership between local writers and artists in the area, tying in with the natural beauty of the East End of Long Island while explaining why many of artists are drawn here.
Happy Nesting
XO Tamara
check out more #UNhamptons images on Instagram @TamaraStephenson
