A Historic Black Haven in the Hamptons
Long before the Hamptons became a symbol of luxury and exclusivity, Sag Harbor quietly fostered a thriving African American community—one of the few seaside enclaves where Black families could own waterfront property and vacation with dignity. Beginning in the 1940s and ’50s, Black professionals, artists, educators, and working-class families from New York City began buying land in Sag Harbor’s subdivisions like Azurest, Sag Harbor Hills, and Ninevah Beach—creating one of the most storied Black beach communities in the nation.
These neighborhoods were not just about summer homes—they were about resistance, refuge, and roots. Generations of Black families built a legacy here, establishing tight-knit communities that offered recreation, safety, and cultural pride in the face of housing discrimination elsewhere. Today, Sag Harbor’s historically Black neighborhoods stand as a vital chapter in American coastal history, with ongoing efforts to preserve their character amid rising development pressures.
Highlights & Offerings
- Historic African American beach community dating back to the 1940s
- Located in the Hamptons on Long Island’s South Fork
- Home to subdivisions like Sag Harbor Hills, Azurest, and Ninevah Beach (SANS)
- Founded and developed by Black architects, educators, and professionals
- Rare example of Black-owned waterfront property in the segregated North
- Preservation and landmarking efforts led by the SANS community
- Vibrant cultural heritage with ties to art, architecture, and social activism
Why Visit Sag Harbor
Sag Harbor offers a window into a powerful story of Black land ownership, resilience, and seaside leisure. Visitors can stroll through its historic SANS neighborhoods, attend cultural events, and engage with a community that continues to celebrate and protect its legacy. For culturally curious travelers and history-minded explorers, Sag Harbor is an essential stop in understanding the depth of Black heritage in the Hamptons.
The SANs community (Sag Harbor Hills, Azurest, and Ninevah Beach) was built on the vision of two sisters who turned a piece of “undesirable” woodland into a premier destination for Black families. Click for more info. . .
Founding Families & Visionaries
The community’s origin is tied to the Azurest Syndicate, formed in 1947 to help Black families secure land and financing when traditional banks often refused them.
- Maude Terry: A Brooklyn schoolteacher who first envisioned a private Black beach community while vacationing in the nearby Eastville neighborhood. She negotiated the initial land purchase from the Gale family.
- Amaza Lee Meredith: Maude’s sister and a pioneering African American female architect. She designed the subdivision layout and at least two of the original homes, including the Terry Cottage, which is still owned by the family today.
- The Richards Family: Descendants of Maude Terry (including her daughter Iris and son-in-law Frederick Richards) who were instrumental in the early days and remain active in the community.
- Prominent Residents: Over the decades, SANS became a “who’s who” of Black excellence, hosting figures like Lena Horne, Harry Belafonte, Duke Ellington, and Tuskegee Airman Roscoe
Preservation Efforts
As property values in the Hamptons skyrocketed, the community faced “mansionization”—where smaller, historic cottages are demolished for large modern estates. Local advocates have fought to protect its character:
Preservation Long Island: An advisory group that helped name SANS one of the “Seven to Save” endangered sites.
National & State Recognition: In 2019, the SANS Steering Committee successfully led the effort to place the district on the National and New York State Registers of Historic Places.
Local Landmark Status: In December 2022, the Village of Sag Harbor adopted a local zoning law to provide stronger protections against demolition and ensure new development respects the neighborhood’s scale.
Key Organizations:
SANS Sag Harbor Organization: The primary group leading preservation and documentation.
Eastville Community Historical Society: A local partner that preserves the broader history of Black and Indigenous people in the area.
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