Suffolk Reporter

Farmingville, NY – Town Clerk Kevin LaValle has announced the launch of his “Talking History with the Town Clerk” video series with a tour of the Davis Meeting House in Coram, the former clerk's office from the early days of the Town of Brookhaven. The video also includes comments from Town Historian Barbara Russell, who provides insight about the historic town landmark; Researcher Lynne Scofield and Interim President Suzanne Johnson from the Town of Brookhaven Davis Town Meeting House Historical Society.

The Davis House was built in the 1750s and for over 250 years it was owned by direct male descendants of Foulk Davis, who arrived in Southampton in 1642. According to local historian Davis Erhardt, the original owner of the house was probably Elijah Davis (1727-1802), who kept it as a tavern-inn. Beginning in the 1790s, the house served for 80 years as the seat of the Town of Brookhaven government. It was used as a temperance house in the mid-1800s and by 1890, the Davis House became solely a private residence. On April 15, 1986, the Brookhaven Town Board designated the house as an official town landmark, citing it as one of the town's most historic structures. It was declared a New York State landmark in 2000 and a National Landmark in 2001.

In September 2012, restoration of the Davis House exterior was completed. It included roof replacement; exterior restoration; masonry work; engineering services associated with completing interior structural timber restoration; reconstruction of a new timber-framed front porch; and completion of the exterior facade. Today, the Davis House serves as a multi-use community center for local organizations.

The Davis Meeting House is located at 263 Middle Country Road in Coram. Historical tours are held every second Sunday of each month. To contact the Davis House please call (631) 804-2256. For more information about the Davis House and other historic sites around the Town of Brookhaven, please visit their website. For more information about Brookhaven Town Clerk Kevin LaValle, go to their website or follow on Instagram: @kevinjlavalle and Facebook: Town Clerk Kevin J. LaValle.