Greetings!

The East Hampton Historical Society is pleased to send you this issue of its quarterly e-newsletter.

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 EHHS is a non-profit organization. The Society is also the parent organization of five museums, 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:

A Return to Grey Gardens

Cocktail Party for New and Returning Members

Saturday, June 7th, 6-8pm

A magical evening at one of East Hampton's most enchanting estates. There will be special guests including Bob Stillman, fresh from his role in "Grey Gardens: The Musical"

Grey Gardens is one of the most colorful homes in American folklore. Since the early 1970s, it has been the subject of many magazine articles, documentaries, books, songs, theater productions, television sitcoms and general cocktail party chatter ever since it was revealed that the house had belonged to two colorful relatives of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.

See more
http://www.easthamptonhistory.org/events/greygardens08-info.html



Events Calendar Summer 2008

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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 highlights from our very crowded events calendar this summer:

• May 23 | Fri 6:00 pm: Garden Club of East Hampton Cocktail Party
  
• May 24 | Sat 9:00 am: Garden Club Plant Sale
  
• May 30 | Fri 7:00 pm: Evolution of East Hampton's Houses 1880-1930
  
• Jun 7 | Sat 6:00 pm: A Return to Grey Gardens - Members Cocktail Party
  
• Jun 14 | Sat 10:00 am: Colonial Kids: A History Club with Barbara Driver
  
• Jul 11 | Fri 6:00 pm: Antiques Show Preview Cocktail Party
  

See many more events and detailed information on our Events Calendar http://easthamptonhistory.org/pages/events.html


Antiques Show Preview Cocktail Party

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The Preview Cocktail Party will take place at Mulford Farm on Friday, July 11 from 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm.


INA GARTEN, author of "The Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics" is our our Honorary Chairwoman
Tickets at (631) 324-6850 or online

Show Dates:
Saturday, July 12 | 9 am - 6 pm
Sunday, July 13 | 10 am - 3 pm

For more details see: http://www.easthamptonhistory.org/events/antique-show08-info.html



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

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A possible seaside resort


Since "the season" is almost upon us, we thought you will enjoy these observations from the 1800s:

In 1873 East Hampton had been growing in popularity as a seaside resort. There were no large hotels or boarding houses in the village so private homes became temporary boarding houses with access to the village provided by stage routes connecting with the railroad in Bridgehampton and steamboats in Sag Harbor.

Richard Bayles, in a book in 1874, comments that if large hotels and boarding houses were built and access made easier, East Hampton could become a fashionable resort!

And now that you finished laughing, another recollection from a former resident ...

The following is part of a description of East Hampton in 1838.

"It took twenty minutes to walk to the ocean. The inhabitants barely eked out a living. The main street was wide and grass grown. Most houses were low with end to the street. Millstones were doorsteps, the woodpile was on the side of the house, and sky-blue painting on the wainscoting of a house was a sign of wealth."

The person who wrote these words was John Howard Payne!

Ah, the rarity of Blue paint!


Membership

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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!

Become a member! Individual memberships are only $35 per year!

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

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Richard Barons, Executive Director

Communications Committee

Joseph Aversano
Mary Clarke
Michael Clifford
Dorian Fuhrman
Mary K Jaroff
Leah K.Lebec
Renee Palmer
Bess Rattray

(c) 2008 East Hampton Historical Society