Huntington Local

Executive Director Cynthia Lynch Shor at the Walt Whitman Birthplace, one of the institutions involved. Photo by George Tsourovakas

By Robert C Hughes

Due to the overwhelming success of last year's first ever Museum Challenge, the Town of Huntington Historic Partnership has decided to make it an annual event. This year's challenge is set to be even bigger and more challenging with better prizes.

From the birthplace of America’s greatest poet to a 1750 farmhouse that is still actively cultivated today, Huntington boasts numerous historic museums. But how many have you actually visited?

You'll get your chance to see many of them at Huntington's second Historic Museum Challenge on Saturday, Oct. 4 and Sunday, Oct. 5. Eight of Huntington's historic organizations are opening their museums from noon to 4 p.m. on both days that weekend to allow residents and visitors to get a glimpse of the breadth of Huntington’s historic treasures.

Participants who successfully complete the challenge by visiting all ten sites over that weekend, all of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, will receive a DVD copy of the video history created as part of the town’s celebration of its 350th anniversary in 2003. In addition, those names will be entered into a drawing for free memberships in participating organizations as well as books and collectibles relating to Huntington's history.

The following museums will be open as part of the October 4/5 Challenge:

Operated by the Lloyd Harbor Historical Society (631-424-6110), the 1711 Henry Lloyd Manor House, the birthplace of Jupiter Hammon, the first African American poet published in America, is one of the finest early examples of settlement period architecture still standing in the United States. Marshall Field used the Manor House as the gate house for his main entrance during his tenure at Caumsett. His brick and iron gates are still standing there today.

The Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum (631-367-3418) houses a nineteenth century whaleboat completely equipped for the hunt, a diorama of Cold Spring Harbor in 1850 as well as an extensive collection of scrimshaw.

The Conklin Farmhouse, circa 1750, withstood the ravages of the American Revolution when the British overtook the town. For the last 100 years it has been owned by the Huntington Historical Society (631-427-7045) whose vast collection of artifacts helps to bring the house alive with distinctive antique furniture and accessories.

The Huntington Historical Society will also open the Dr. Daniel W. Kissam House, an outstanding example of federal period architecture featuring intricate decorative moldings and a newly restored mid-nineteenth century kitchen.

Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Building (631-351-3244) was built in 1892 to serve as both the Huntington Public Library and a Civil War Memorial. The recently restored building is used today to exhibit the "Treasures from the Collection of the Huntington Historical Society."

The John Gardiner Farm is the newest museum in Huntington. Bequeathed to the Greenlawn-Centerport Historic Association (631-754-1180) in 2000, the House opened to the public for the first time in 2007. The land is still farmed and contains several outbuildings relating to the area’s agricultural past.

The Greenlawn-Centerport Historic Association will also open the Suydam House in Centerport. Built circa 1720, the house has been faithfully restored to its colonial appearance.

The Northport Historical Society Museum (631-757-9859), was built in 1914 as a Carnegie Library. The building’s exhibit hall has recently been refurbished and features informative changing displays on the history of the Northport area.

The Huntington Town Clerk's Archives (631-351-3035), was created in 1993. It houses 1250 linear feet of historical documents tracing the town's origins and growth. The Archives is committed to preserving records of historic value generated by all the town government.

The Huntington Lighthouse (631-421-1985) sits on a man-made island at the entrance to Huntington Harbor. Currently being restored by the Huntington Lighthouse Preservation Society, the lighthouse itself will not be open for the challenge, but a display about the lighthouse will be on view at Town Hall.

The Walt Whitman Birthplace (631-427-5240) is the site where in 1819, Walt Whitman, widely recognized as America's greatest poet, was born in the small farmhouse. Whitman's writings are treasured for capturing the nation's spirit during the nineteenth century and examining some of the era's most significant events including westward expansion, immigration, slavery, and the Civil War.

Guide maps, which double as admission tickets will be available for advance purchase for $5 (the maps will be $7 on the weekend of the Challenge). Beginning September 10, simply contact any of the above participating organizations or the Huntington Historian (631-351-3244) to purchase your guide map/admission ticket. We suggest calling in advance to ensure supplies are on hand. A family needs only one map for admission to the museums. Proceeds and donations will provide much needed funds for these groups to continue their preservation and education programs.

Purchase your map at one of the following locations:

1. Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum, 279 Main Street, Cold Spring Harbor (631-367-3418)
2. Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Building, 228 Main Street, Huntington (631-351-3244)
3. The Huntington Historical Society, 209 Main Street, Huntington (631-427-7045)
4. The Greenlawn-Centerport Historical Association, Harborfields Public Library, 31 Broadway, Greenlawwn (631-754-1180)
5. The Northport Historical Society, 215 Main Street, Northport (631-757-9859)
6. Walt Whitman Birthplace, 246 Old Walt Whitman Road, West Hills (631-427-5240)

Or call any of the above organizations or

1. Lloyd Harbor Historical Society (631-424-6110)
2. Huntington Lighthouse Preservation Society (631-421-1985)

For more information, visit http://www.museumchallenge.org

To help participants keep their energy up the following Huntington restaurants are offering Challenge weekend discounts: Black & Blue Seafood Chophouse, Canterbury Ales, Christopher's, Elm Street Eatery, Guido’s Italian Restaurant, Kozy Kettle, Munday's.

The Town of Huntington is sponsoring this event in conjunction with the Huntington Historic Partnership, which is a consortium of local heritage organizations seeking to promote awareness of Huntington's rich history.

Robert C. Hughes is Huntington's historian.