America's 250th Celebration
Visit Us all Season for Exciting Events and Exhibits
Southold Historical Museum is celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence! This summer, explore special exhibits and events highlighting Southold’s role in the Revolutionary War.
We are also proud to be participating in
Suffolk County’s 250th Anniversary Passport Book initiative and the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation History Hunt to commemorate this special time in our history.
See details below.
Special Events
Celebrating Suffolk County's 250th at Southold Historical Museum
ONGOING: We’re proud to be part of the Suffolk County 250th Celebration and are listed in the official Suffolk County 250th Passport Book, available now through Barnes and Noble Online, Amazon, Lulu.com, and as a free download.
Visit us at our offices at 54325 Main Road, Southold, to receive your official Suffolk County 250th passport stamp!
CLICK HERE for Suffolk County 250th Event Map.
Join Us All Summer for Exciting Exhibits Celebrating America’s 250th
May 23 - Sept. 13: Southold Historical Museum is showcasing several exciting new seasonal exhibits that explore the fascinating history of the North Fork during the Revolutionary era.
The Mayne Gallery in the Ann Currie-Bell House at our Maple Lane Campus is featuring “The American Revolution in Southold.” Explore the little-known stories of Long Island during the Revolutionary War. As occupied territory, Southold’s experience was unique. In honor of the nation’s 250th anniversary, this exhibit highlights what life was like here during the Revolution. Open weekends, 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, Memorial Day weekend through mid-September.
At the Effers Collection Center at the Maple Lane Complex, there will be a textile exhibit of contemporary quilts and vintage American Flags titled “Red, White & Blue” Saturdays, 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM in July.
At the Nautical Museum at Horton Point Lighthouse, the main exhibit is "Maritime Stealth in Southold During the American Revolution”, an exhibit about the successful Meigs Raid of 1777 on Sag Harbor storage depot. American Continental Army forces crossed from Connecticut, landed in Southold, traveled over what is now Southold Town Beach (George Sullivan Beach), crossed Hashamomuck Pond, and continued into Peconic Bay toward Sag Harbor. The successful raid resulted in the capture of approximately 90 British soldiers, who were escorted through Southold and back to Connecticut. The exhibit is open weekends, 11:30 AM to 4:00 PM, May 23 - mid September, at the Nautical Museum at Horton Point Lighthouse.
As always, the price of admission includes both locations and exhibits through mid-Sept. See these and other special exhibits this summer!
Embark on a Revolutionary Themed “Redcoats & Rebels” History Hunt
May 25 - Sept. 30: Get into the Revolutionary spirit and play along with the Redcoats & Rebels History Hunt challenge available at LIHistoryHunt.com where you’ll find designated local museums and landmarks where history was made. The Hunt runs Memorial Day, May 25, and runs through Sept. 30, 2026.
Southold Historical Museum is proud to be a participant. Visit the Maple Lane Campus at 55200 Main Rd., Southold and find the 1750 house built by Samuel Landon who, like many other Patriots from the East End, packed up most of his family, enslaved people, and possessions in 1776 and fled to Connecticut to avoid the British troops. His son Jared, volunteered to stay behind and care for the house and farm. Jared was arrested and imprisoned by the British in New York City for his patriotic leanings. After the war, he later became Town Supervisor 1787-1789 & 1791-1795.
Take a selfie by the Southold Historical Museum sign and then upload it in the app for cash, prizes, and bragging rights. Complete at least one challenge and upload it to be eligible to win a prize. Complete 10 and you could win $250. Complete all and you could win $1776 and cool merch. GO TO: Long Island History Hunt
Patriotic Online Exhibit & Sale: Ten Squared 2026
July 1 - July 30: The Ten Squared Online Art Exhibit & Sale features stunning works by local artists inspired by the theme: “Celebrate America — North Fork Legacy in the Spirit of 1776.” Explore how artists interpret the North Fork’s historical and cultural contributions to the nation’s founding and ongoing story.
This non-juried exhibit showcases artworks in a variety of mediums, all 10” x 10”. Everyone is invited to browse the collection online and, if you like, purchase a piece for $100—half supports the artist, and half supports the Southold Historical Museum.
Don’t miss this chance to own a unique piece of local art while celebrating our shared history!
Exhibition Dates: July 1 – July 31, 2026
Location: On our website
Special 250th Anniversary Lecture: The Run-Up to the Revolution
July 10: As we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, explore the events that led to the Revolutionary War! Join Southold Town Historian Amy Folk for a fascinating look at local and national history from 1765 to August 1776—the years that drove our nation to what some historians call its first civil war.
Lecture: The Run-Up to the Revolution
When: Friday, July 10, 2026 | 1:00 – 3:00 PM
Where: Southold Historical Museum, Maple Lane Campus
55200 Main Rd, Southold, NY
Discover how Southold and Long Island fit into the story of the Revolution—history comes alive!
Living History Revolutionary Encampment Celebrating America’s 250th
July 11: Join Southold Historical Museum for “America’s Birthday Party,” a lively celebration of the nation’s founding era, during a Revolutionary War encampment from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM on Saturday, July 11.
The grounds of the Maple Lane Campus, 55200 Main Road, Southold, will be transformed into a vibrant living-history setting by reenactors from the Third New York Regiment. Visitors can explore an authentic encampment and see the equipment and supplies soldiers carried as they traveled to join General Washington and the Continental Army.
Families can enjoy children’s games inside the Bayview Schoolhouse and on the lawn, a Hamilton sing-along in the barn, light refreshments, vendors, and special demonstrations and tastings. Diane Schwindt will be “Stirring Up History,” while Cassandra St. George prepares traditional open-hearth bread.
Don’t miss the festive presentation of America’s birthday cake as we mark the upcoming 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding.
Museum buildings will also be open for tours, featuring a special local Revolutionary-era exhibit and a patriotic quilt display in the Collections Building. Admission is free.