The Mackay Estate Gate Lodge is currently undergoing restoration by the Village of East Hills with the assistance of the Roslyn Landmark Society. The Mackay Estate Gate Lodge is architecturally significant as a representative example of a “Gilded Age “country estate building and of the country estate architecture of Stanford White of the firm of McKim, Mead & White, one of the most prestigious architects active in America at the turn of the century.
Designed by McKim, Mead & White 1899 and built in 1900-1902 as a component of Clarence Mackay’s Harbor Hill Estate, the 2,000-square-foot gate lodge is an important survivor from the period when much of Long Island was developed with great estates.
Below are the original 1900 plans for the gate lodge and its roof clock.
As seen in these early 1900s photos, the distinctive circular clock (approximately 3 feet and 8 inches in diameter) was placed on the slate roof of the gate lodge..
Until this month, the manufacturer of this roof clock was unknown. As suggested by Kathy Curran, executive director of the Robert D.L. Gardiner Foundation, the Roslyn Landmark Society reached out to the Port Jefferson Historical Society and its associated Spinney Clock Guild to provide insight into the gate lodge’s clock.
Jim Boyd of the Spinney Clock Guild came through with wonderful research. Jim discovered that the clock was manufactured by E. Howard Clock Company in April 1903. The clock was listed in the April 6, 1903 Tower Clocks Ledger, Volume 2 of E. Howard Clock Company. E. Howard Clock Company also supplied the tower clock for Harbor Hill carriage house.
Apr. 6 [[check mark]] Roslyn, L.I., N.Y. Gate Lodge22/1434 1 #0 Time Piece[[circled]] 11 [[/circled]] 1 ground plate glass dial - 2 iron weights#2249
Jim Boyd also found that E. Howard Clock Company promoted their tower and stable clocks using Clarence Mackay and McKim, Mead & White Architects as references. Source provided by Jim Boyd: Iron Age, 1903, Volume 71, page 33
The clock has been missing from the building for over 65 years. As part of the restoration of the building, this historic clock will be replicated and placed on the restored roof.
Historic Images of the Mackay Estate Gate Lodge and the Roof Clock including a 1962 image of the box that held the roof clock.
Current view of the Mackay Estate Gate Lodge. Note the newer slate roof section at the location of the clock.
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