Architecture

The facade is considered probably the most important example of Egyptian Revival style in the U.S. today. As you approach the building, you see a massive, truncated wooden tower, square at the base and tapering to the top, flanked on either side by two similar, though broader and slightly lower, winged pylons. The cornices are decorated with a delicate edging of carvings in the shape of blubber spades, a tool used to flense the blubber from whales.

An uncovered porch runs the width of the facade. Opening onto it are three narrow, story-high panelled doors, one in the tower and one in each pylon. Above each door is a tall window of translucent and faintly lavender small-paned glass.

Near the sidewalk on Union Street stands an unusual fence with obelisk-shaped fenceposts. It is a copy of the original which had been removed in the 1880's.

The clockworks were made by Bphraim Byräm, the famed Sag Harbor clockmaker. Installed in 1845, it was removed in 1846 as vibrations caused by high winds interfered with its proper functioning. The slender top section ended in a weathervane.