Valentine’s Day Poetry Contest

Valentine’s Day Poetry Contest

Calling all poets! Plans are underway for the 1st Annual Valentine’s Day Poetry Contest sponsored by Raynham Hall Museum and the Oyster Bay Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Raynham Hall is home to the first known Valentine in the United States of America. At the height of the Revolutionary War, on February 14th, 1779 Colonel John Graves Simcoe, commander of the British regiment the Queen’s Rangers, presented young Sally Townsend with a poem, which read in part: “To you my heart I must resign, O choose me for your Valentine!”

It’s easy to enter this poetry contest. Write a poem on the topic of love or Valentine’s Day! Click here for the contest entry form.

There are three age categories: 4th grade – 6th grade, 7th grade – 9th grade, 10th grade -12th grade. One entry per person. Entries must be received by January 31, 2019.

There will be a first-place, second-place and honorable mention winners for each age group. Winning contestants along with their families and teachers are invited to attend an awards ceremony at Raynham Hall Museum at 4 pm on Thursday, February 14, 2019.