Behind-the-Scenes @ Webb Institute, Shipbuilding Academy on Pratt Estate

With the vast fortune that 19th-century American businessman Charles Pratt made when his company merged with Standard Oil Company, he created a 1,000 acre family compound on Long Island's "Gold Coast," which contained numerous palatial estates. While many mansions along the North Shore were razed over the past century, one wasn't just preserved, but turned into a college producing the next generation of world-class shipbuilding engineers. It's time to explore the grounds of one of New York's most impressive estates and see how an engineering academy has adapted its historic surroundings.

Join New York Adventure Club for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour at Webb Institute, a college academy in Glen Cove, NY dedicated to Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, which has been housed in the former country estate of Standard Oil owner Herbert L. Pratt since 1947.

Led by a Webb Institute staff member, our exploration of this 100-year-old estate turned college campus will include:

• The history and story behind the Pratt Family & "The Braes" Estate, Webb Family, and Webb Institute
• A visit to the relics of the former estate, including 'Gilded Age' interior spaces, terraces with sweeping views of the Long Island Sound, and even (as rumor has it) a secret tunnel that was built to conceal deliveries to the estate
• A walkthrough of the engineering laboratories scattered throughout the campus, which include a state-of-the-art ship model basin, newly-installed wind tunnel, and material testing workshop
• A trip down to the boathouse and private Webb Beach
• A discussion around the many film & television shows that featured Webb Institute, including Batman Forever (1995) as Wayne Manor, Gotham, and Person of Interest

Click here to see pictures from one of our last visits to Webb Institute!

See you there!

**Portions of the tour will involve walking up and down hilly terrain

Transportation

*Please double check train departure times the day before as schedules can shift due to track work.

By Public Transit:

Take the Long Island Rail Road train departing from Penn Station, and transfer to the Oyster Bay train at Jamaica Station — disembark at the Glen Street Station — a cab or uber will need to be taken to the estate.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Due to the small size of the Glen St. Station platform, please note that only the doors of the first train car will open!

LIRR tickets can now be purchased via your smartphone — click here for more details.

By Car:

Attendees may park at Webb Institute for free.

Testimonials

"I liked everything. It was great fun, and very informative. Thank you for enabling us to access a place I normally would not be able to explore, and didn’t even know about." -Rima

"Depth of knowledge provided by the tour guide and numerous stops on the tour of the property. Excellent and enjoyable tour with very friendly and helpful staff" -Matthew

"The tour guide was phenomenal. She really knew her stuff and made the event very engaging." -Debra

"The tour itself was amazing. Loved the facts and chance to visit Glen Cove Long Island as well as Webb Institutite /Pratt Mansion. Thank you for this experience. Plus the cool people I met as well." -Anna

"Tour guide excellent. history of the mansion and the school. seeing the school facilities and learning about the admissions process, school academic requirements" -Janice

"Very beautiful mansion, lovely setting, mission/history of school was great to learn about." -Melanie

"Learning about the history of the mansion , enjoying the architectural details and last but not least , as a mechanical engineer, I was also fascinated about the School" -Gabriela

"Such a interesting tour. We learned about the Pratt family, Mr Webbs vision for the school and the current culture of the college. If your in to sailing or boating and New York Gilded Age history this is a must!" -Nancy

" Fascinating and engaging" -Victoria

" Living on long Island for 40 years, it was so interesting to learn about a place I din't even know existed!" -Michael

" Fascinating place and beautiful setting , that I'd never even heard about before signing up for the tour!" -Nancy B.

"Discovery of a gem so near." -C

"The guide was terrific and the Webb Institute a most unusual college" -Jean

"Our and onsite guide...was so engaging - friendly, enthusiastic, knowledgeable. We toured the buildings and grounds and learned so much about this unique college program, Highly recommend this tour." -Marcelle

"The informative on Webb and the Pratt family history. We were a small group and the guide gave us as much times as we needed." -Richard

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Categories: In-Person, Mansions & Private Clubs

Host or Publisher New York Adventure Club