House Historian: Orin Z. Finkle

As a noted authority on the "Gatsby" era, Mr. Finkle's television appearances, numerous presentations, historical writings and teachings, have received outstanding reviews and has revived an immense public desire to rediscover the splendors of a period almost forgotten.

A LOVE AFFAIR WITH A
CASTLE ON LONG ISLAND

When Oheka was completed in 1920, it was the second largest private residence in the country. Biltmore, the Vanderbilt mansion in North Carolina contained about thirty thousand square feet more living space. However, the former Vanderbilt home is currently a public museum, so Oheka, the french style chateau located in Huntington, Long Island, NY, has the distinction of being the largest privately owned home in the United States.

Oheka, an acronym for the original owners name, Otto Hermann Kahn, is a spectacular castle consisting of 126 rooms occupying over 112,000 square feet of living space. The house was designed for the famous banker

and patron of the arts by the architectural firm of Delano & Aldrich. Since Mr. Kahn had desired his home to be located on the highest elevation of land on Long Island, two years were spent trucking in fill which was piled upon the building site raising the foundation for the house about seventy five feet. During the 1920s and for part of the 1930s, the massive Oheka, with its private golf course, indoor pool, stables, formal gardens, was an estate where Mr. Kahn entertained hundreds of his friends and many people associated with the arts. Charlie Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks and dozens of Broadway performers were invited to his gala parties during an era of exquisite social gatherings and high society festivities. Otto Kahn loved the arts and entertainment fields and was the principal donor to the Metropolitan Opera.

Some years ago, when entrepreneur Gary Melius purchased the "castle", the overall condition of the vacant structure had deteriorated to a point where restoration seemed impossible. After Otto Kahn passed away in 1934, most of the property, except for 23 acres was sold for about $100,000. The building had become a rest home and later a school. After the school abandoned the property in the late 1970s the empty house had been charred and scarred by vandals. Walls were cracked and peeling, hundreds of windows were broken and miles of leaking pipes caused floods and warped flooring. An important piece of American history, was at the brink of no return. To Mr. Melius the challenge of authentic and complete restoration was to become a labor of love. Complete demolition was a possibility if he did not come to the rescue of the aging chateau. "After beginning the renovations, I realized that it would be a sin to divide this great home into dozens of condo units as I

had first planned. My greatest desire at this point in time, is to restore the castle and use it as my home. Many times I walk the property and explore the mansion and it feels like I'm going back in time. I really have developed a great affection for the castle".

The castle acts as a unique centerpiece within a community of about 250 homes. "I get very much satisfaction in sharing my home with the community. Residents will be invited to attend my Halloween and July 4th parties. The place is certainly large enough for hundreds of people to enjoy various special occasions".

Detailed restoration, is by no means a quick or easy procedure. The ruined slate roof, rotted flooring, missing 12 foot oak doors, broken panes and bent window frames, burnt wood panels and missing moldings, were just

some of immediate problems. Stores did not carry any replacements necessary to properly restore Oheka. Mr. Melius set up his own professionally equipped workshop, hired many skilled craftsmen and step by step began to makeover each room. Old detailed photos were used to try to duplicate the original interiors as much as possible. The careful process will take many years and millions of dollars.

The huge grand ballroom, massive entry hall, library and enormous dining room ( where Otto Kahn had entertained hundreds of famous guests) were the first areas to be refurbished. The television show " Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous" did a segment on the castle where they discussed the historic details as well as current plans. The prestigious Olmstead Brothers had designed formal gardens which are in the process of being redone to look like the original work of art that once surrounded Oheka.

The mansion is now alive and well and should continue to survive as the largest of the many wonderful estates that are part of Long Island's North Shore. Otto Kahn would be very proud to know that the hospitable tradition of Oheka will be preserved in the manner he truly loved.