Vanderbilt Museum

In the early 1900s, Mr. Vanderbilt purchased 43 acres in Centerport and named his summer estate Eagles Nest. The Spanish Revival style mansion was built in three stages from the 1900s through the 1930s and consists of 24 rooms.

Prior to his death in 1944, Mr. Vanderbilt set up a trust in which he designated Eagles Nest as a facility to be enjoyed by the public. In 1947, Eagles Nest was bequeathed to Suffolk County. In 1950, the estate was chartered as an educational institution by the New York Board of Regents and opened to the public.

The Planetarium opened to the public in 1971 and had a total renovation in 2013, and renamed the Charles & Helen Reichert Planetarium, the renovation cost $4 million, of which $3.2 million went to the new Konica Minolta Gemini Star III projection system which includes video and surround sound; constructing the pit into which it retracts; and lighting inside the room. This world class facility, renamed the William and Mollie Rogers theater seats 147 people. There is also a newly renovated gift shop available for visiting.

The Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum continues to uphold the words set forth in Mr. Vanderbilt's trust by providing Eagles Nest for "the use, education and enjoyment of the public...". Employees of the Museum strive to keep Mr. Vanderbilt's message a reality.