He is understood to feel that compulsory sales would break up historic estates.

Old residents and preservationists fear that the newcomers' demands for living and business space will put historic real estate at risk.

Other large privately owned historic estates in London include:

Legacy House is a historic estate on the eastern shore of Kyle Bay.

Mr. Patterson said 200,000 people visited the historic estates last year compared with 1997, when there were 214,000 visitors.

In order to maintain and preserve the historic estate, there is a 300 yen entry fee for adults, payable at the house.

While there, guests can also tour the Holiday Showcase at the house with every room of the historic estate dressed for the season.

The following historic estates are ones built by and/or associated with Thornton descendants.

"It would humanize what is a piece of historic real estate."

Over the past 100 years some of Long Island's historic estates have been preserved by being deeded to the federal government.