Oysterponds Historical Society

Free Talk: “Hard Water Sailing: A History of Iceboating"
2026-02-21 11:00 - 12:30 (America/New_York) | Old Point Schoolhouse, 1555 Village Lane, Orient, NY, 11957, United States
On Saturday, February 21st at 11am, John Holzapfel will host a talk entitled, “Hard Water Sailing: A History of Iceboating,” presenting a short history of iceboating, the concept of ice-sailing, and the local history of iceboating on Hallock’s Bay, with special attention paid to a striking 19th century iceboat named Red Bird, given to OHS by the late Long Island iceboating authority Bob Reeves.

Admission is FREE and on a first-come, first-served basis. Donations are greatly appreciated and allow OHS to present free events throughout the calendar year

Bingo Night
2026-03-14 17:00 - 19:00 | Poquatuck Hall, 1160 Skippers Ln., Orient, NY, 11957, United States

New Village House Exhibitions
2026-05-23 11:00 - 2026-09-28 17:00 | Village House, 1555 Village Lane, Orient, NY, 11957, United States
Brand-new exhibitions in Village House will open on Saturday, May 23rd – Memorial Day weekend.

Hours:
Fridays, 2pm to 5pm
Saturdays, 11am to 5pm
Sundays, 2pm to 5pm

WICKER
OHS is fortunate to have two pieces from the two most important wicker furniture manufacturers in America: a rocking chair made by The Wakefield Rattan Company, and a baby carriage made by Heywood Brothers & Co. Several other pieces have no maker’s labels, but they might have been made locally, as the Greenport Rattan Company was flourishing at that period.
CHILDREN’S VEHICLES
This exhibition is devoted to large toys: vehicles that children could ride in or on that could be self-propelled or pulled or pushed. An early tricycle and a painted sled are familiar to all, but a goat cart and an Irish Mail less so. The goat cart was meant to pulled by the child’s pet goat, or dog, or pony – or perhaps a sibling.
RECENT ACQUISITIONS
The past few years have been exceptional for the quality of the objects being donated to OHS. This year’s significant additions include three issues, dating from 1812 and 1813, of the Long-Island Star; our first 21st century Oysterponds quilt; a bust of Lincoln by Robert Berks, and much more.
ABRAHAM G. D. TUTHILL
This exhibition celebrates the acquisition of two portraits painted by Abraham G.D. Tuthill, the only 18th-century artist born in Oysterponds. OHS already owns two of his portraits. The handsome new portraits, of an unidentified man and woman (undoubtedly husband and wife), date from the later part of his career.
LOST OYSTERPONDS
A collections of photographs depicting buildings that were once an integral part of the built environment of East Marion and Orient. Some structures were purposely torn down, others lost to fire or hurricanes, others simply moved to other places, like the Orient Mill, a beloved structure that was sold and moved by barge to an amusement park where it burned to the ground a dozen years later.
ROBERT BERKS: THE MARY McLEOD BETHUNE MEMORIAL
Orient denizen and nationally-known sculptor Robert Berks (1922-2011) specialized in creating large-scale, monumental sculptures of major figures in American history. His creation of a memorial to Bethune, the world-renowned educator, civil rights leader, women’s rights activist and presidential advisor, was one of his more important commissions.

Admission for OHS Members is free; admission charge is $10 per Non-member Adult.

Staff may be available Monday thru Friday to open the doors and give tours. If interested, please call the office at 631-323-2480 for more information.

Revolutionary War Encampment & Living History Day
2026-06-13 11:00 - 16:00 | Poquatuck Park, Village Lane, Orient, NY, 11957, United States

Sincerely, Oysterponds: The History of Orient & East Marion in Letters & Diaries
2026-07-03 14:00 - 16:00 | Poquatuck Hall, 1160 Skippers Ln., Orient, NY, 11957, United States
July 3rd. As part of OHS’s year-long commemoration of the U.S.’s birth as a nation, it will be presenting a FREE community reading of letters, diary entries, newspaper articles, poems, and more that, taken together, tell the story of Oysterponds through the voices of centuries of its residents.

Note: Time is subject to change.

Heritage Day: Celebrating America's 250th Birthday
2026-07-05 12:00 - 15:00 | Old Point School House Lawn, 1555 Village Lane, Orient, NY, 11957, United States
July 5th. The Heritage Day program will start with a parade down Orient’s Village Lane led by the Grand Marshal; followed by a welcome and invocation at the Old Point Schoolhouse; the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance; “God Bless America” sung by Franklin Mastrangelo; the reading of the Declaration of Independence by Oysterponds stalwarts; after which hot dogs, sweets, kids’ games, and live music.

Sarah Olmstead & Catherine Craig-Chaudhuri, Co-Chairs

The history of Heritage Day: Local schoolmaster, tavern keeper, store owner, diarist, and Oysterponds native-son Augustus Griffin (1767-1866) began a tradition of the reading of the Declaration of Independence every July 4th. Many years later, that simple ceremony has grown into Heritage Day—an annual opportunity to fully acknowledge the innumerable generations of Oysterponders who came before us—starting with those who first settled the East End over 10,000 years ago.

Oysterponds Historical Society celebrates all of Oysterponds history—the people and the lives they lived and the artifacts and stories that have been handed down to us in the 21st century.

The Mudflats - Live on the Old Point Schoolhouse Lawn
2026-07-15 18:00 - 19:30 | NY
July 15th. FREE! Oysterponds favorites, The Mudflats (comprised of fiddles, banjo, mandolin, guitar, upright bass, and drums), are a twin-fiddle fusion of traditional American music. The Mudflats’ original sound is guaranteed to touch the heart and get your feet a-tappin’!

Bring a blanket or a lawnchair, bug spray, a picnic, and a bottle of your favorite beverage!

OHS's 2026 Summer Benefit
2026-08-01 17:00 - 19:30 | Poquatuck Park, Village Lane, Orient, NY, 11957, United States
August 1st. The OHS Summer Gala & Auction returns to one of the East End’s most beautiful settings—Poquatuck Park, overlooking Orient Harbor at sunset.
Proceeds from the Summer Benefit & Auction are a critical component of OHS’s annual operating budget. Your generous support helps OHS fulfill its mission of bringing people together to share and celebrate the unique history and culture of Orient and East Marion. Thank you!
