Live and Learn Long Island: Historical Events Taking Place This Summer

LongIsland.com

Turn back time this summer by attending one of these events all about the history of Long Island!

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The Stony Brook Grist Mill C. 1751 is just one of many historic structures on Long Island!

Photo by: Traitor via Wikimedia Commons.

Originally settled in the 1600s, it's no surprise that the Long Island region has a rich, cultural history. From native americans like the Lenape people, to Dutch and British settlers, to George Washington himself, many diverse groups and individuals have had a great effect on shaping the Island into what it is today.
 
This summer, why not take a step back in time by learning something new at a historical event on Long Island! Explore the prominent locations of the Culper Spy Ring during the American Revolutionary War, the historic homes of Water Mill on the South Fork of Long Island and many other notable people, places and events. Take a look at our list below!
 
A Home, A Heart: Rediscovering the Historic Houses of Water Mill
The Water Mill Museum, 41 Old Mill Road, Water Mill, NY 11976
Open Every Thursday Thru Monday Until Monday, October 10th from 11 AM - 5 PM
631-726-4625
Free Event
Explore the history of Watermill at a new exhibit at The Water Mill Museum that examines Water Mill's historic homes through photographs, maps and text. Visitors will also be given information to conduct a self-directed driving tour of the historic homes that can still be seen today in Watermill.
 
Meet the Halseys: Life on a Colonial Farm at The Thomas Halsey Homestead
249 South Main Street, Southampton, NY 11968
Open Every Tuesday Thru Tuesday, August 16th from 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
631-283-2494
$5 - Please Call To Reserve Spot
Kids will have the unique opportunity to learn about what life was like in colonial Southampton at one of the oldest remaining Southampton houses - The Thomas Halsey Homestead! There will be period activities, arts & crafts and reenactors.
 
Magical History Walking Tours of Manhasset Bay
Town Dock, Port Washington, NY 11050
The 1st Saturday & Sunday of the month thru October 30th from 10:45 AM - 12:45 PM
516-365-9074
$8 Per Adult; $5 Per Senior; $1 Per Child Under Age 12
Learn all about the history of early Port Washington as you walk the shoreline of Manhasset Bay with a knowledgeable docent. Tour takes approximately 1.5 hours.
 
Culper Spy Day at Three Village Historical Society
93 North Country Road, Setauket, NY 11733
Saturday, July 23rd from 8 AM - 5 PM
631-751-3730
Call For Pricing Details
Visit the places, like Brewster House, Stony Brook Grist Mill, Caroline Church and more, that history was made in America's first spy ring where patriots risked their lives to supply George Washington with critical information that helped lead to victory in the American Revolutionary War.
 
The Summer Gunner: Art and Lore of Decoy Carving at William Floyd Estate
245 Park Drive, Mastic Beach, NY 11951
Saturday, July 30th from 10 AM - 3:30 PM
631-399-2030
Free Event
Watch and learn as expert decoy carver Jaime Reason demonstrates duck and shorebird carving by hand and discusses the history of decoy carvings of the south bays of Long Island!
 
Tri-Spy Walking Tour at Frank Melville Park
1 Old Field Road, Setauket, NY 11733
Sunday, July 31st at 12 PM & Sunday, August 14th at 9 AM
631-751-3730
$25 - Pre-registration Required
Partake in a three hour walk to visit Patriot’s Rock, the 1812 Setauket Presbyterian Church, 1825 General John Roe Satterly House, the creek at Conscience Bay and other historical locations relevant to the Culper Spy Ring and the American Revolutionary War on Long Island.
 
Port Washington Shoreline Historic Walking Tours
Magical History Tours, Town Dock, Port Washington, NY 11050
Saturday, August 6th - Sunday, August 7th from 11 AM - 12:30 PM
516-365-9074
$8
Stroll the shoreline of Port Washington with a knowledgeable tour guide to learn all about the early history of Port Washington. Topics will include information on fishing, aviation, mills, hotels and much more!
 
Patchogue History Crawl at Patchogue YMCA
225 W. Main Street, Patchogue, NY 11772
Saturday, August 6th from 12 PM - 3 PM
$5
Take a tour through time during this three hour history crawl that takes you through three of Patchogue's renowned pubs.
 
Walk Through History with Abraham Woodhull: Farmer & Revolutionary War Spy
Caroline Church, 1 Dyke Road, Setauket, NY 11733
Sunday, August 7th at 2 PM
631-751-3730
$8
Pretend that you, like Abraham Woodhull, AKA Samuel Culper, are a spy during the American Revolutionary War by exploring the Grist Mill, grave sites, woods, bays, and much more that are all part of the story of Long Island’s colonization and settlement.
 
Greek Revival Architecture in Southampton at Rogers Mansion
17 Meeting House Lane, Southampton, NY 11968
Thursday, August 11th at 11 AM
631-283-2494
Free Event
Learn a thing or two about the architectural and social history of Southampton Village through a variety of examples of Greek Revival architecture - like that of the Rogers Mansion!
 
Historic Trades Weekend at Old Bethpage Village Restoration
1303 Round Swamp Road, Old Bethpage, NY 11804
Saturday, August 13th - Sunday, August 14th from 10 AM - 4 PM
516-572-8400
$10 Per Adult; $7 Per Child Age 5-12; $7 Per Senior; Free for Children 4 & Under & Active Military
Come out to Historic Trades Weekend at Old Bethpage Village Restoration to find out how things were made 200 years ago from tradesmen demonstrating their craft. Visitors can even go home with some of these fares!
 
Setauket Village Green Walking Tour at Setauket Presbyterian Church
5 Caroline Avenue, Setauket, NY 11733
Saturday, August 20th at 2 PM
631-751-3730
$8
Participate in this walking tour of Brookhaven Town’s original settlement to find out about the cemetery where the leader of the Setauket Spy Ring is buried, 17th century homes of daring sea captains, and much more in this tour of homes and structures from the late 1600's to the late 20th century.
 
When The Broadbill Was King On Great South Bay at Suffolk County Historical Society
300 W. Main Street, Riverhead, NY 11901
Every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday Thru Saturday, August 27th
631-727-2881
$5 Per Adult; $3 Per Senior; $1 Per Kids Under Age 17; Free for Members
Take a look back at the Great South Bay through this exhibit that highlights folk art, local families, maritime history, bay ecology and more. This exhibit will be open from 10 AM - 4:30 PM on the days mentioned above.