History Hunt brings North Fork’s Revolutionary past to life
The sound of camera shutters and the glow of cellphone screens have become familiar sights at Long Island historical places this summer, as visitors explore the region’s past through the History Hunt.
In honor of America’s 250th birthday, presentations are set up at 26 participating museums, landmarks and historical sites on Long Island. Guests can participate in a selfie challenge and be entered to win prizes — the grand prize being $1,776. All the sites have a banner with a QR code to be scanned to be entered to win. Scanning the code is enough to enter, you don’t have to go inside, but if you do, you’ll learn about Long Island’s interesting history.
Participating locations on the North Fork include Hallockville Museum Farm in Riverhead, Mattituck-Laurel Historical Society and Museum in Mattituck, Southold Historical Museum in Southold and Oysterpond Historical Society in Orient.
“We’ve had quite a few people come in that have never been here before,”said Hallockville Museum Farm’s assistant director Lillian Cowburn. “And they’re coming because they’re participating in the History Hunt. It’s definitely been a fun experience and it gets people into history that might not have known about some of these local historical societies.”
Darren St. George, the executive director at Southold Historical Museum, said this History Hunt is exposing a lot of Long Islanders to how much local history surrounds us every day.
“You get a little bit of the story at each location and you keep learning as you continue across the North Fork,” Mr. St. George said.
Mattitcuk-Laurel Historical Society and Museum featured multiple buildings and sites from 250 years ago. Free tours are offered throughout the week, giving the public a chance to learn about Long Island’s participation in the American Revolution.
In Orient, two couples were taking part in the selfie challenge. Chris and Joan Ripley, originally from the Farmingdale area, but now residing in Greenport, were with some visitors for the weekend. Ms. Ripley, a former history teacher in Farmingdale, participated in last year’s History Hunt, focused on the history in Orient. She’s also the chair of the board of the East End Seaport Museum.
John and Susan Pizzi were the guests brought by the Ripleys. “We’re learning about all of this stuff as we go,” Ms. Pizzi said.
In the red barn at the rear of the property, attendees had the opportunity to go on a tour led by Margaret Minichini. She walked visitors through the artifacts and explained the ice-harvesting equipment, special horseshoes, an 1831 diary and other historical items.
Photos by Nick Mongiovi
This year’s History Hunt runs through Sept. 30.
