About our establishment
The 1770 House
A Living Chronicle from 1650–2025
The story of The 1770 House reads like a sweeping American epic—full of hope, ambition, eccentricity, glamour, and reinvention. It begins in 1650, when William Fithian, a determined early colonist, purchased a quiet stretch of land in East Hampton in pursuit of freedom, prosperity, and a new life in British Colonial America. His dream set the stage for what would become one of the most storied homes in the region. A century later, in 1770, an enterprising young colonist named Matthias Burnett built the historic structure that still stands today. Originally a private homestead, the building quickly became a hub of local life—solid, dignified, and perfectly positioned in the heart of the village.
By 1795, the house entered a new era when Jonathan Dayton opened a bustling store within its walls, selling everything from furniture to food. This began an extraordinary eight-generation reign of Dayton family ownership, a lineage that imprinted character, history, and plenty of eccentric stories into every beam of wood.
One of the most memorable heirs was Dr. Charles Bovilar Dayton, a surgeon who served in the Union Army during the Civil War before returning home to practice medicine in the house. A brilliant, brave, but troubled Charles was said—by his own relatives—to have a “strong weakness for drink,” a flaw that ultimately led him to predecease his wife by 23 years.
“For more than 250 years, the 1770 House has been a year round premier destination for authentic Hamptons fine dining and luxury accommodations… and is without question one of the most charming spots in the Hamptons to dine or stay.”
– Discover Long Island
His widow, Mary Dayton, became one of the most colorful residents the home would ever see. Known for her immense compassion (and perhaps a touch of delightful madness), Mary cared for 137 cats in the house. During a major renovation in 1873, she secretly placed a glass bottle containing a handwritten note into the wall—an ode to the craftsmen who restored her beloved home. That bottle remained hidden for 129 years, until a 2002 renovation revealed it—a time capsule that now sits proudly on display at The 1770 House. After Mrs Dayton, the house survived The Great Depression and all the economic turmoil that came along with it.
A new chapter began in 1942, when Mr. and Mrs. John Williams purchased the property during World War II. Their tenure ushered in the glamorous, modern Hamptons era—an age of rising fortunes, grand estates, and famous visitors who sought refuge, privacy, and beauty. The guest ledger from this period reads like a roll call of American and Hollywood royalty:
- Clark Gable, who insisted the staff swear to secrecy so he wouldn’t be mobbed by admirers.
- Bette Davis, who sheltered here during a turbulent divorce.
- Rita Hayworth, Glen Ford, author John Steinbeck, and sculptor Jacques Lipchitz.
- Architectural visionary Philip Johnson and retail titan Kenneth Strauss, founder of Abraham and Strauss, what would become Macy’s department stores. Turkish Prince Fahriddin and Juan Trippe, founder of Pan Am Airlines.
The Rolling Stones are known to have travelled from Montauk to party in our famous downstairs Tavern during the 1960s. In 1980, not long after the tragic death of John Lennon, Yoko Ono sought quiet comfort at the Inn, savoring the owner’s then-legendary chocolate cake.
Since the 1980s, The 1770 House has quietly hosted a distinguished list of guests and celebrities, from Hollywood icons to esteemed political figures including President Bill Clinton and his family.
The History of The 1770 House would not be complete without honoring Ben and Bonnie Krupinski. Ben was a genius builder known as the “Builder to the Stars”. His meticulous renovation of The 1770 House stands as a national model of how historic preservation can introduce modern elegance, convenience, and luxury while honoring the past with respect and authenticity. Bonnie was respected by all she came in contact with. Her natural sense of dignity and style contributed to the great success of The 1770 House. The Krupinski era of ownership was a very special period in its 250-year-old history. Their influence and spirit will be with us for many generations to come.
Today, The 1770 House stands as far more than a restaurant and inn—it’s an archive of American life. Its walls have witnessed colonial dreams, wartime resilience, eccentric genius, golden-age glamour, and countless whispered stories of the people who passed through its doors.
Every guest who walks in becomes part of that ongoing narrative. And the next chapter?
It begins the moment you arrive.
