The Bruce House
The Bruce House, built in the 1920’s, is a small, practical home that reflects the modest community that once existed in this area called Chicken Hill.
Though long forgotten, it was close to this site in the 1880’s and 1890’s that the Setauket Rubber Factory produced goods to become one of Long Island’s leading industrial manufacturers. Hundreds of immigrants settled in Setauket in search of year-round work. These immigrants brought different religious and cultural customs to the community. At the rear of the property, three worker houses which were owned by the factory, survive.
By the early 1900’s, Setauket was a vibrant community of diverse religions and cultures. On Main Street, there were churches, a synagogue, a butcher shop, worker meeting halls, general stores and other residential homes.
Unfortunately, when the Rubber Factory burned in 1904 the neighborhood suffered a slow but steady decline. Perhaps due to the number of families raising chickens, this area was often called “Chicken Hill.” This name was likely due to families needing to supplement their diet and income by raising chickens.
This parcel of property, which was once held by the Rubber Factory, was bought by local resident Melville Bryant, and then purchased by Rosina Huber Bruce in 1922. The following year, she had the house built by a Setauket carpenter, George Heinz. The Bruce family – Rosina, her husband George, and their three children Catherine, Robert and Freya – all lived here. Mr. Bruce worked for the Town of Brookhaven Highway Department and Rosina was known for her extensive gardens behind the home.
The house remained in the family until 2002, when it was purchased by the Three Village Historical Society with assistance from New York State Assemblyman Steven Englebright. In 2010, the house was transferred to the Three Village Community Trust and is now their headquarters.
The exterior and interior of the home has been carefully preserved to give visitors a unique view of life in the early 20th century. The Bruce House serves as a reminder of those values that were, and still are, so important – simplicity, thrift, community, and hard work.
