Inspired by a 5-year-old boy’s wish for a train set, the Brookhaven Township holiday train display is on track for this Christmas season. It is free and open to the public on Dec. 26-30, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Longwood Estate.
Each year, hundreds of spectators are known to visit the estate, located at Longwood and Smith roads in Ridge, to watch the trains, Estate Director Diane Schwindt said. They can also play a game called I Spy and find objects hidden amongst the trains.
Built in 1790, Longwood Estate is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and described as a Town of Brookhaven “treasure” on the municipal website. It stands out as one of the homes of the community’s founding fathers.
According to Schwindt, “When they (visitors) come in the front door, the front parlor is decorated for Christmas. They’re welcome to bring their cameras and take a picture. They could tour the first floor of the house.” She noted that staff members will be on hand to offer historical insight as well.
“One train display is of Disney with vintage buildings that my dad had started collecting probably 40-some-odd years ago,” she said.
Her dad’s involvement helped the holiday train display gain momentum some 20 years ago. “When I first got to Longwood, our first event was Santa Comes to Longwood and the Riverhead train guys set up a few buildings and a track,” she recalls.
When Schwindt’s son was about 5 years old, he wanted a train set. That was a wish his granddad happily granted by setting up a train display at Longwood Estate, where Schwindt beams, the entire community can enjoy it. “Through the years, it just moved from room to room as it got larger,” she said.
Today visitors can check out three train collections, including Disney, Thomas the Tank Engine and a train-friendly village in the home’s main room. “I put a Thomas train set up so the smaller children can play with that, and parents are obviously welcome to sit on the perimeter and watch,” she said. “In the larger train display, there’s an I Spy for older children and adults, and one for smaller children, where they’re encouraged to find hidden objects within the train display. And then there’s a candy cane for all.”
For her part, Schwindt takes pleasure in the reaction of visitors. “They just stand there in awe. The adults get into the competition of the I Spy. I’ve gotten some senior citizens,” she said.
Describing the atmosphere as warm and friendly, the event differs from the mall experience and the long lines at some holiday happenings, she said. “It’s wonderful and knowing I can share this with so many people, it’s way too cool for me.”
Longwood Estate, the Smith family homestead until 1968, was preserved by the town amidst the threat of development in 1974. Today, it offers visitors 35 acres, which include a large pond, one-room schoolhouse and barn complex, and family cemetery. The park is open to the public Monday through Friday. For more information call 631-924-1820 or visit the website.