Franklin O. Arthur Barn: Subject of Smithtown’s Colonial History

In the 1800s, if you had a toothache and lived in Smithtown, you’d have a good chance of visiting the local blacksmith for relief. A blacksmith turned dentist, that is, which gives an old spin on a modern slang word: grill, meaning a toothy smile.

It’s said that the blacksmith, Franklin O. Arthur, also used his skills to make his own dentist tools.

Nowadays, the aforementioned dentist-slash-blacksmith lends his name to Smithtown Historical Society’s complex of houses and farm buildings on a piece of property that his family owned dating back to pre-Revolutionary War America. Arthur died in 1879 and was buried in the Smithtown Cemetery. An obituary in the Long Islander of Huntington dates the death of his wife in 1897, when she was past 80-years-old.

Read a bit of history about Franklin O. Arthur on Patch.

One of the structures on the Franklin O. Arthur Farm is a red 19th century working barn housing the society’s animals and a collection of vehicles. According to a book on barns of New York, the main part was built in the 1860s and a second part in 1881. Now the farm is part of the Historical Society's educational programs about colonial life.

One of the sheep (pictured in this gallery) is a Katahdin Ram named Ram-a-Lamb-a-DingDong, according to Kris Melvin-Denenberg, director of public relations for the Historical Society.

"He was brought in for studding with our ewes and will be leaving soon," she said.

At the time of the writing of this story the society had one Welsh pony, 10 sheep, two roosters and about 15 hens along with five barn cats. The sheep represent fleece, milk, and meat breeds and their assortment of chicken breeds lay eggs in all different colors.

"Our young Lipid Morgan Horse will be returning later this spring once he is gelded," said Melvin-Denenberg. "We are expecting lambs in early April."

Find out about a book that proves to be invaluable to people who research local history.

"This area speaks to a bygone area of Smithtown's history," said Kiernan Lannon, executive director of the historical society, in an interview with Patch. "It's good to know your roots and this helps to define what the roots are for today's generation."

With such a long and immersive history in Smithtown, it’s no wonder that the farm is photographed so often.

Click through the gallery to see some images of the Franklin O. Arthur Farm.

Do you have pictures of Franklin O. Arthur Farm you’d like to share? Sign in to Smithtown Patch and upload them to this post.

The Franklin O. Arthur Farm is part of the Smithtown Historical Society. The Historical Society is committed to the preservation, restoration, and interpretation of Long Island’s heritage for the education and enjoyment of the public. Visit the website for more information.