Philanthropy and Civic Activities
Melville settled in the Stony Brook area in western Suffolk County on Long Island, where he owned much land. He served as a member of the school board in Setauket, where he donated the land for the high school. From 1948 to 1949 he was the 66th President of the Saint Andrew's Society of the State of New York.
Melville was very active in philanthropic works around the "Three Village" area (Stony Brook, Setauket, and Old Field) and the surrounding towns. He supported the restoration and preservation of historic buildings in the area to encourage his vision of a New England villages. Stony Brook was organized around a town green. He also supported conservation of natural areas, including the West Meadow Beach.
Another interest was education and he developed land for the high school in Setauket, which was named for him. His larger contribution was the donation of 400 acres of land and money to New York state to establish what is now the State University of New York at Stony Brook, which was founded in 1957. First operating with classes in Oyster Bay, its current campus opened in 1962. Emphasizing teacher education in mathematics and sciences, the university has developed as a major public research institution in medicine and science. Governor Averill Harriman appointed Melville as chairman of the Council of the university, where he served for some years.
Melville died in 1977 and is buried in Setauket at the Caroline Church and Cemetery.
Read more about this topic: Ward Melville
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