Long Island 250
Join us in commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence with special events, programs, and exhibitions at Raynham Hall Museum in Oyster Bay, NY. Our collections, historic home, and programs tell the story of how Long Islanders played a pivotal role in the American Revolution. This page will be continually updated as we add events and announcements regarding the 250th.
The Suffolk County 250th “Passport Book” is now available online through Barnes and Noble Online (not the retail locations), Amazon, Lulu.com, and as a free download. This book was published through the collective efforts of the Suffolk County 250th Commemorative Planning Committee.
Visit www.suffolk250.org for more information.
Exhibitions
Road to Revolution
October 22, 2025 – March 1, 2026
Businessman, father, public servant, revolutionary, and enslaver, Samuel Townsend was a complex individual whose life experiences made him adaptable to the tumultuous time in which he lived. From his beginnings as a successful entrepreneur and merchant to having his home occupied by the enemy during the American Revolution, this is the story of Samuel Townsend’s Road to Revolution.
American Revolution Experience
March 27 – April 4, 2026
The Oyster Bay Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution and the American Battlefield Trust are excited to feature the American Revolution Experience at Raynham. The innovative pop-up exhibition includes display panels and interactive digital kiosks that use storytelling, illustration, technology and unique artifacts and primary accounts to connect modern audiences with the people and places that shaped the birth of our nation.
We the People
April 23 – August 30, 2026
Join us for the opening party of our second call for artists exhibition on Thursday, April 23, from 5:30-7:00 p.m. The exhibition features artists from local communities who submitted artwork on their interpretation of the theme, We the People. The three opening words of the Constitution place the power of the United States not in a monarch, nor even in individual states, but in its citizens. The original promise of those words was eloquent and evocative — yet from the start, that promise was only partly true. Women and people of color would have been disenfranchised from the political process, and those included among “the people” has expanded only through struggle and hard-won legal change. The story of the United States is one of continual redefinition, as people of many backgrounds have claimed their place and pushed the nation toward its ideals of a more just and equitable society. Shifts in our population continue to fuel ongoing debate over who may be recognized as a citizen.
Participating artists: Dave Alexander, Dasha Bazanova, Dan Christoffel, Lauren Cohen, Joan Digby, Faith Evans, Meryl Dee Feuer, Fred Fleisher, Wendy Foster, Michael Goudket, Patricia Hambrook, Mandy Henson, Joan Harrison, Stephen Hoffman, James Hogarty, Lori Horowitz, Mikey Ilkiw, Warren Jacobson, Betsy Lawrence, Rebecca Lawton Flatters, Bing Lu, Lilly Lucas, Tom Mason, Magali Modoux, Joshua Olsen, Jasmine Parrish-M, Susie Gách Peelle, Barbara Prey, Meenal Raghava, Michael Ripa, Alice Riordan, Michael Rubinowitz, Hiroko Saigusa, Ryan Schroeder, Kiichi Takeuchi, Allen Underwood III, Doron Wolf
This exhibition serves as a fundraiser with artwork available for purchase through the museum. A portion of the proceeds will be generously donated to support the museum’s initiatives.
Events & Programs
Under Cover: 250 Years of Spying in America featuring David Rohde
June 14 | 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm | Free event
Gold Coast Forum & Raynham Hall Museum present Undercover: 250 Years of Spying in America featuring Pulitzer Prize winning author, David Rohde. Rohde will be in conversation with award-winning writer & editor, Ellen Wulfhorst to discuss his book Where Tyranny Begins: The Justice Department, the FBI, and the War on Democracy. The conversation will center on covering the CIA and other intelligence agencies today, as well as the crucial role of Congressional oversight committees and journalists in providing accountability and information about intelligence agencies and operations.
Darley Newman signs & discusses Revolutionary Road Trip
July 15 | 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm | Free event
Join award-winning storyteller Darley Newman on a journey through American Revolution sites in national parks, great cities like Charleston and Princeton, and obscure haunts like a colonial tavern in Gettysburg. From lighthearted adventures like tasting Martha Washington’s recipe for Cherry Bounce to an emotional trek with a military historian at Camden Battlefield, Revolutionary Road Trip catalogs oral histories, tales, and truths passed down by generations of guides, community members, and experts whose boots are on the ground at historic locations across the thirteen original colonies. Step into a colonial time machine with Darley for a memorable, beguiling trip! Based on firsthand research and experiences, Darley shares untold stories for an entertaining, enlightening look at the founding of America and why exploring this history is so important.