In 1949, W.R. Coe sold Planting Fields to New York State for $1.00 "to promote training in agriculture and horticulture." The State did not take possession of the property until after Mr. Coe's death in 1955. By 1957,the State had begun altering the estate grounds and buildings for use as a campus. Most of the furnishings in Coe Hall were moved to the Manor House or given to the Coe children for their own homes. Coe Hall and the Haybarn were W.R Coe in the Blue Pool Garden c.1950 modified by the State to be used as libraries, classrooms and lecture halls. The kitchen in Coe Hall was replaced with a modern cafeteria for students. Coe Hall and the Haybarnwere modified by the State to be used as libraries, classrooms and lecture halls. The kitchen in Coe Hall was replaced with a modern cafeteria for students. New York State University programs at Planting Fields were short-lived. Between 1957 and 1962, SUNY operated a four-year teacher education program in mathematics and science. This program was moved to Stony Brook once the campus there was completed. A horticulture program based at Farmingdale operated at Planting Fields in the late 1950's and early 1960's, but it too closed its doors within a few years. By 1971, SUNY had relinquished control of Planting Fields to the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Together with Planting Fields Foundation, the Coe estate began a new future as a public arboretum and historic site.

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