05/25/2026
CELEBRATE AMERICA’S 250TH WITH THE SHELTER ISLAND HISTORY MUSEUM!
As Memorial Day approaches, the Shelter Island History Museum’s semiquincentennial celebrations move into high gear.
We have embarked on a year-long effort to tell the stories about our Island’s role in this nation’s birth. To fully enjoy the benefits of the events, programs and exhibits outlined below, we created our 250 Club. To enroll or find more details about club membership, click https://shelterislandhistorical.networkforgood.com/projects/295459-250-club Make sure to join before May 31 to be included on the Donor Wall before the summer events begin.
Our salute to America’s 250th celebration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence starts off Sunday, May 31, with the first of three lectures in our Speaker Series. “Preserving Historic Homes” is the subject of a presentation by historic preservation professional, author, and museum director Zachary Studenroth. It takes place from 2-3:30pm at the Shelter Island History Museum. Made possible by the generosity of the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation, our Speaker Series is free, but donations are always appreciated. To RSVP, click https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeNZIxLLafGamihhA9OoHppowBzI9j2lVKa4Vco5FcBnINBFA/viewform forms.gle/geESxGo2bnzgi48a9.
Next is the unveiling of our new exhibit, "Havens House: Witness the American Revolution," which allows visitors to experience life as it was on Shelter Island during the Revolution. The exhibit's public opening starts Saturday, June 6, at 9am and runs til 12:30pm.
It’s followed by the Historic House Tour, also on June 6, from 1:30 to 4pm. This year’s tour features extraordinary and historic Shelter Island homes. Following the tour, guests are invited to attend the opening reception for "Havens House: Witness the American Revolution." The reception includes a raffle, silent auction, beverages and light bites. For more information or to purchase tickets, see: https://shelterislandhistorical.networkforgood.com/events/100231-2026-shelter-island-house-tour
Back by popular demand! Our Basket Weaving workshop, facilitated by members of the Basket Weavers Guild of Eastern Long Island, returns July 9, from 10am to 2pm. Students will choose between two patriotic designs and learn to weave them into their very own basket. Ages 18+ or 14+ with an adult, and all skill levels are welcome. Space is limited and registration is required. You can sign up here: https://square.link/u/lTY1fWUp
The second presentation in our Speaker Series is the “Culper Spy Ring,” on July 12 from 2-3:30pm. Bill Bleyer, historian, lecturer, journalist and author of George Washington’s Long Island Spy Ring, will talk about this secret spy network. The RSVP link for this lecture is https://forms.gle/4f88TLSyjhwTR6gN6
Our grand Red, White & Blue Gala, takes place on Saturday, July 18, at the Artemas Ward Garden, Apple Orchard Lane on Shelter Island. A welcome reception, featuring the Shelter Island Shuckers, starts at 6 p.m., followed by the Ray Congdon & Company’s Traditional Clambake dinner, a celebratory dessert, and dancing at 7 p.m. Music is provided by Erich Carey & The Constituency, Featuring Nelson Bogart and Shelter Island Friends. For more information or to purchase tickets, click https://shelterislandhistorical.networkforgood.com/events/100731-red-white-blue-250th-gala Be sure to RSVP by July 11!
The final lecture in our Speaker Series is the “Battle of Long Island” presentation on August 2, from 2-3:30pm. Author and former history teacher Noel Gish will discuss this pivotal event in the Revolutionary War. You can RSVP for this talk at https://forms.gle/66QL4CmCC8JgVDUy9
We look forward to seeing you at any or all of our events and to celebrating America’s 250th anniversary!
