John Philip Sousa House
Historic house in New York, United States
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The John Philip Sousa House – also known historically as Wildbank – is a historic house at 12 Hicks Lane in Sands Point, New York, United States, overlooking Manhasset Bay.
John Philip Sousa House | |
Front cottage of Wildbank, 2008 | |
  Location within New York  Location within the United States | |
| Location | 12 Hicks Lane, Sands Point, New York |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 40°50′38.17″N 73°43′49.15″W |
| Area | 1.6 acres (0.65 ha) |
| Built | 1907 |
| Architect | A. B. Trowbridge[1] |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000532 |
| NYSRHP No. | 05970.000156 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966[2] |
| Designated NHL | May 23, 1966[3] |
| Designated NYSRHP | June 23, 1980 |
Built in 1907, it was the home of composer and bandleader John Philip Sousa (1854–1932) from 1912 until his death in 1932. It remains a private residence as of 2026 and is not open to the public.
Description
The John Philip Sousa House is located on a bluff overlooking Manhasset Bay on the North Shore of Long Island in the Sands Point area of North Hempstead. It is a rambling 2+1⁄2-story frame structure with a brown stucco exterior and a red tile roof. Its main block has a gabled roof oriented north–south, with a two-story wing extending east off the northern end. Porches extend along the western facade of the main block (overlooking the bay) and the south side of the wing.[1][3]
Outbuildings on the property include a stable and carriage house, an L-shaped structure near Hicks Lane, which has an apartment on the upper level. Near the waterfront there is a small teahouse.[1][3]
History
The house was built in 1907 for architect Alexander Buel Trowbridge as his summer residence.[1][3] In 1915, it was purchased by John Philip Sousa; it remained his home until his death in 1932.[1] Sousa was instrumental in elevating wind ensembles and marching bands to a high level of prominence and popularity, both as a conductor of the United States Marine Band, and as the composer of hundreds of marches, many of which remain staples of the band literature.[1][3]
During Sousa's ownership, the property was known as "Wildbank".[1] It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1966.[1][3]
