Oysterponds Historical Society in Orient. (Photos Courtesy of Long Island History Hunt)
You’ll need to call on your detective skills when the Long Island History Hunt begins on July 1.
To compete, participants must visit twelve historic locations across Long Island, where they will complete a challenge, take a selfie and upload a photo to win a prize. Those who complete all 12 challenges will earn the title of Revolutionary Trailblazer and be entered into a grand prize drawing that includes $500, an 18th century-style luncheon at the Ketcham Inn tavern in Center Moriches, family museum memberships and a basket of curated surprises.
Sponsored by the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation in partnership with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the History Hunt brings the past into the very active present, giving families a fun (and competitive — come on, who doesn’t want to out-do their siblings?) way to learn about historic sites where prominent and sometimes infamous figures, like spies, patriots and presidents, helped shape local history.
“We’re proud to support this dynamic, family-friendly initiative,” says Kathryn M. Curran, executive director of the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation. “By engaging visitors in interactive experiences, we’re helping to ensure Long Island’s past resonates with new generations.”
The map of museums, landmarks, monuments, historic homes, parks and colonial taverns can be found here, where participants can also register and plan a visit to their first challenge location. The History Hunt runs from July 1 to September 30, when the grand prize will be drawn.
Here’s a sample question for those visiting the Shelter Island History Museum: “Take a selfie under the pyramid shaped window on the east facing side of Havens House with brass numbers which pay homage to the year it was built: 1743.”
“The Shelter Island History Museum is proud to be a part of the Long Island History Hunt,” says Nanette W. Lawrenson, executive director of the museum. “Shelter Island has a rich and eventful history and serves as a geographic hub between Long Island’s North and South Forks. It is important to share the historic connections between our east end communities, and we welcome the opportunity to play our part in telling the stories of the past. Not to mention, the History Hunt promises to be fun!”
Participating historical sites include Raynham Hall Museum in Oyster Bay, the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum, the Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary and Audubon Center in Oyster Bay, Montauk Historical Society, Ketcham Inn in Center Moriches, East Hampton Historical Society, Oysterponds Historical Society in Orient, Three Village Historical Society in Setauket, Shelter Island History Museum, Smithtown Historical Society, Meadow Croft Estate in Sayville and Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn.
The event’s website also includes a description of each historical venue, driving directions and nearby parks to check out, so gather your family and friends and join in on the fun.
