Greetings!

The East Hampton Historical Society is pleased to send you the second issue of our quarterly e-newsletter.

The EHHS is a non-profit organization. The Society serves the residents and visitors of East Hampton by collecting, preserving, presenting and interpreting the material, cultural and economic heritage of the town.

The Society is also the parent organization for a complex of five museums, national landmark historic sites of both local and national importance:

- Mulford Farm, c.1680
- Clinton Academy, c.1784
- Town House, c.1731
- Osborn-Jackson House, c.1740
- Marine Museum

We hope that you will find this newsletter of interest, as a member of our community. (Of course, if you do not want to receive the newsletter, please follow the instructions below to unsubscribe.)

In this issue:

  • Exhibit: East Hampton's Attic

  • Featured Museum - Mulford Farm, circa 1680

  • Events Calendar - Summer 2005

  • Little Known Facts - from the Town Crier

  • Membership


    • Exhibit: East Hampton's Attic
    The East Hampton Historical Society has over 12,000 artifacts in its collections. This season, a sampling of interesting objects from this treasure trove will be on view at Clinton Academy on Main Street.

    Highlights from the exhibit include a locally made wood-and-iron "bone-shaker" bicycle from about 1860; the original clock face and works from the 1717 Presbyterian church steeple; eighteenth-century pieces from the Dominy furniture workshop; and a re-creation of the eighteenth-century portrait of Rev. Buell, featuring the famous wig a replica of which recently was made by the experts at Colonial Williamsburg.

    Also featured is a rare collection of scrimshaw, the carved whalebone folk-art objects made by sailors at sea for their sweethearts back home; a selection of hand-sewn nineteenth-century quilts; and several colorful bandboxes from the 1830's, made by ladies to store their fancy bonnets in.

    MUSEUM HOURS: Through Columbus Day, Saturday & Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
    PLACE: Clinton Academy, 151 Main Street, East Hampton. Call 324-6850
    ADMISSION FEE: Free, contributions welcome.

    See more ... http://easthamptonhistory.org/pages/clinton-attic.html



    Featured Museum - Mulford Farm, circa 1680


    The Mulford Farm, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is considered one of America's most significant intact English Colonial farmsteads.

    The farm is of interest not merely because of its importance to the history of East Hampton, but because of its antiquity. Viewed as an artifact which has been shaped to fit the needs and the pleasure of those who have lived in it, the house itself has much to tell us about the origins of early New England society and the changes which still affect our lives today.

    MUSEUM HOURS: Through Columbus Day, Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
    PLACE: Mulford Farm, 31 James Lane, East Hampton
    ADMISSION FEE: Free; contributions welcome

    Read more ... http://easthamptonhistory.org/pages/mulford.html



    Events Calendar Summer 2005

    The Society sponsors a number of educational and entertaining programs and events throughout the year, including a lecture series; tours of the Historic District, the old cemetery, and important local houses; as well as a number of programs designed specifically for children.

    Here are some upcoming events:

  • July 15: Benefit Gala Cocktail Party
  • July 16: Living History Day
  • July 30: Cemetery Tour with Hugh King

    This summer's Gala and Living History Day theme is a re-enactment of a Mulford Farm wedding that actually took place in 1809. Come meet the bride and groom and their guests, see the trousseau (from our collections), sample old recipes, listen to period music, and even join in an authentic dance lesson. Admission FREE on Saturday July 16 - BRING THE WHOLE FAMILY!

    Events Calendar http://easthamptonhistory.org/pages/events.html



    Little Known Facts - from the Town Crier
    From the archives of Hugh King, East Hampton's Town Crier.

    Cattle "Drive" on East Hampton's Main Street

    For many years, Main Street (also called Town Street) was the scene of annual cattle and sheep drives to Montauk. Animals from East Hampton and surrounding areas were driven East to pasture in the early spring, and returned in late fall. At one time, Main Street was all grass with wagon ruts on either side. These drives continued until the early part of the twentieth century. At the time of the Civil War there were said to be more animals than people on Main Street.

    Hugh King conducting a Cemetery Tour



    Membership

    The Society is a volunteer organization, and we rely on your support to maintain our collections and to continue the unique year-round historical programs we provide for the people of our home town. We hope that you will join us in our mission to preserve and celebrate our very special heritage!

    Membership Information:     http://www.easthamptonhistory.org/pages/membership.html


    For more information about the East Hampton Historical Society, please visit our website at: http://www.easthamptonhistory.org

    We would be very pleased to hear from you if you have any suggestions for future issues.

    Contact us at: news@easthamptonhistory.org
    Maralyn Rittenour, Executive Director
    Carrie MacMillan, Administrator
    Community Relations Committee:
    Mary Kay Jaroff
    Renee Palmer
    Bess Rattray

    (c) 2005 East Hampton Historical Society