TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE FOR THE 2026 HISTORIC HOUSE TOUR!
The Shelter Island History Museum is excited to announce that, in commemoration of the nation's 250th anniversary, this year’s House Tour will feature extraordinary and historic Shelter Island homes.
The 2026 Historic House Tour will take place on Saturday, June 6th, from 1:30 PM to 4 PM. After the tour, guests are invited to attend the opening reception of SIHM's "Havens House: Witness the American Revolution" exhibit, which will include a raffle, silent auction, beverages and light bites.
The mission of the Shelter Island History Museum is to collect and preserve the artifacts, records and stories that define the island’s unique history. The House Tour is a significant annual fundraising event for the Museum. Proceeds will directly support educational programs and the operations of the Shelter Island History Museum.
Sponsorship:
Four levels of sponsorship for the Shelter Island History Museum Historic House Tour are offered. All sponsors will be featured in promotions for the event including online, across social media platforms, and on event signage reaching over 20,000 people. The $1,000 level and above will also be featured in our ad for the May/June 2026 issue of Hamptons Cottage & Gardens. The deadline to be featured is April 23.
$500 Sponsorship: Includes 1 House Tour ticket.
$1,000 Sponsorship: Includes 2 House Tour tickets.
$2,500 Sponsorship: Includes 4 House Tour tickets and a hardbound copy of "This Land Is Your Land"—a coffee table book about the history of Shelter Island’s preserved spaces.
$5,000 Sponsorship: Includes 6 House Tour tickets and a hardbound copy of "This Land Is Your Land"—a coffee table book about the history of Shelter Island’s preserved spaces.
The 2026 Historic House Tour will take place on Saturday, June 6th, from 1:30 PM to 4 PM. After the tour, guests are invited to attend the opening reception of SIHM's "Havens House: Witness the American Revolution" exhibit, which will include a raffle, silent auction, beverages and light bites.
The mission of the Shelter Island History Museum is to collect and preserve the artifacts, records and stories that define the island’s unique history. The House Tour is a significant annual fundraising event for the Museum. Proceeds will directly support educational programs and the operations of the Shelter Island History Museum.
Sponsorship:
Four levels of sponsorship for the Shelter Island History Museum Historic House Tour are offered. All sponsors will be featured in promotions for the event including online, across social media platforms, and on event signage reaching over 20,000 people. The $1,000 level and above will also be featured in our ad for the May/June 2026 issue of Hamptons Cottage & Gardens. The deadline to be featured is April 23.
$500 Sponsorship: Includes 1 House Tour ticket.
$1,000 Sponsorship: Includes 2 House Tour tickets.
$2,500 Sponsorship: Includes 4 House Tour tickets and a hardbound copy of "This Land Is Your Land"—a coffee table book about the history of Shelter Island’s preserved spaces.
$5,000 Sponsorship: Includes 6 House Tour tickets and a hardbound copy of "This Land Is Your Land"—a coffee table book about the history of Shelter Island’s preserved spaces.
JOIN THE 250 CLUB!
BECOME A 250 CLUB MEMBER BY MAY 31 TO BE LISTED ON THE 250 DONOR WALL AND WEBSITE
BEFORE OUR SUMMER CELEBRATIONS BEGIN!
BECOME A 250 CLUB MEMBER BY MAY 31 TO BE LISTED ON THE 250 DONOR WALL AND WEBSITE
BEFORE OUR SUMMER CELEBRATIONS BEGIN!
The United States of America was born 250 years ago when our nation’s founders gathered in Philadelphia to sign a Declaration of Independence from British rule. Those strokes of a quill were marked by eight years of warfare between a scrappy Continental Army and a British military machine that touched every region of the fledgling country, including Shelter Island.
The Shelter Island History Museum is embarking on a year-long effort to tell the stories about our Island’s role in this nation’s birth. You can be a part of that journey by joining our 250 Club that will support the many programs and exhibits the Museum has in store.
250 Club Membership Levels:
As a 250 Club member, starting at the $125 level, you will enjoy these benefits:
$125 — 250th Anniversary ornament; copy of Shelter Island in the Revolution by Helen O. Lamont.
$250 -- All the benefits of a $125 member, plus: invitation to an exclusive preview of our opening exhibit June 6.
$500 — All the benefits of a $250 member, plus: two admissions to the Historic House Tour.
$1,250 -- All the benefits of a $250 member, plus: four admissions to the Historic House Tour; monthly email update from the Executive Director.
$2,500 -- All the benefits of a $1250 member, plus: private museum tour with refreshments for up to six people.
Above $2,500 -- Please call our executive director to discuss how we may best recognize your support.
The Shelter Island History Museum is embarking on a year-long effort to tell the stories about our Island’s role in this nation’s birth. You can be a part of that journey by joining our 250 Club that will support the many programs and exhibits the Museum has in store.
250 Club Membership Levels:
As a 250 Club member, starting at the $125 level, you will enjoy these benefits:
$125 — 250th Anniversary ornament; copy of Shelter Island in the Revolution by Helen O. Lamont.
$250 -- All the benefits of a $125 member, plus: invitation to an exclusive preview of our opening exhibit June 6.
$500 — All the benefits of a $250 member, plus: two admissions to the Historic House Tour.
$1,250 -- All the benefits of a $250 member, plus: four admissions to the Historic House Tour; monthly email update from the Executive Director.
$2,500 -- All the benefits of a $1250 member, plus: private museum tour with refreshments for up to six people.
Above $2,500 -- Please call our executive director to discuss how we may best recognize your support.
BECOME A MEMBER NOW!
Join by clicking the Donate Now button below
or mail your check to 250 Club, Shelter Island History Museum, PO Box 847, Shelter Island, NY 11964.
YOU CAN ALSO SIGN UP FOR AUTOMATIC MONTHLY DONATIONS.
Your membership in the 250 Club supports our mission to collect and preserve the artifacts, records and stories that define this island's unique history. At the heart of that history and our collection is the Havens family and their home. Havens House was built on 1,000 acres in 1743 by William Havens. William’s son, the patriot Captain James Havens, was a privateer during the War for Independence and was a Representative of Suffolk County in the New York Provincial Congress of 1776. Havens House was a frequent meeting place for the Island’s patriots and is believed to be where 39 Islanders, including James Havens, signed their own Declaration of Independence in May 1775 after the Battle of Lexington in April of that year. Though British forces blockaded Gardiner’s Bay, they never occupied the Island. Instead, they pillaged crops, livestock and forests, and terrorized many of our residents.
For nearly three centuries Havens House has stood resolute through war and harsh weather; for the last six decades it has been home to the Shelter Island History Museum. As stewards of this historic landmark, we are committed to the challenge of preserving the historic house for present and future generations.
We invite you to visit us at Havens House and welcome your membership in the 250 Club!
We invite you to visit us at Havens House and welcome your membership in the 250 Club!
Registration for the 2026 Summer Children’s Theater Program is now open!
Directed and facilitated by the Brooklyn Acting Lab, the Summer Children's Theater Program invites young artists to explore theater, history, and community through a joyful, immersive creative process.
Over the course of three weeks, children will collaborate on a scripted performance written by BAL artist and playwright Jenna Scotti. Our 2026 production will transport students into the revolutionary past of Shelter Island, where they'll uncover the stories of the Havens family and transform history into a vibrant, original piece of theater. The workshop culminates in a celebratory performance on July 31 for family, friends, and the community to celebrate and share what the children have created.
Details for this summer’s workshop:
Dates: July 13–31
Schedule: Monday–Friday, 9:00am–12:00pm
Final Performance: Friday, July 31
Ages: Children 6–12 at the start of the program
Location: Shelter Island History Museum
Now in its fifth year, and made possible by the Elizabeth Pedersen Fund and the Victoria Loconsolo Foundation, Inc., this cherished part of the Shelter Island summer connects children to the island’s history, builds friendships, and allows participants to experience the joy of live theater.
Directed and facilitated by the Brooklyn Acting Lab, the Summer Children's Theater Program invites young artists to explore theater, history, and community through a joyful, immersive creative process.
Over the course of three weeks, children will collaborate on a scripted performance written by BAL artist and playwright Jenna Scotti. Our 2026 production will transport students into the revolutionary past of Shelter Island, where they'll uncover the stories of the Havens family and transform history into a vibrant, original piece of theater. The workshop culminates in a celebratory performance on July 31 for family, friends, and the community to celebrate and share what the children have created.
Details for this summer’s workshop:
Dates: July 13–31
Schedule: Monday–Friday, 9:00am–12:00pm
Final Performance: Friday, July 31
Ages: Children 6–12 at the start of the program
Location: Shelter Island History Museum
Now in its fifth year, and made possible by the Elizabeth Pedersen Fund and the Victoria Loconsolo Foundation, Inc., this cherished part of the Shelter Island summer connects children to the island’s history, builds friendships, and allows participants to experience the joy of live theater.
Here’s the link to register:
https://shelterislandhistorical.networkforgood.com/events/95715-2026-summer-children-s-theater-program
Space is limited and early registration is encouraged.
For further information, check this website,
https://www.shelterislandhistorical.org
or the Brooklyn Acting Lab,
https://brooklynactinglab.org.
https://shelterislandhistorical.networkforgood.com/events/95715-2026-summer-children-s-theater-program
Space is limited and early registration is encouraged.
For further information, check this website,
https://www.shelterislandhistorical.org
or the Brooklyn Acting Lab,
https://brooklynactinglab.org.
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NEW EXHIBIT COMING SOON!
Meanwhile, please enjoy this video produced by our Robert David Lion Gardiner Young Scholar Recipient, Charlotte B., who was instrumental in creating our recent exhibit, "Ingrid McBrian: Shelter Island in Thread and Paint." Her duties included researching our archives for material related to this beloved Shelter Island artist, writing Ingrid's biography, and creating a layout for the exhibit.
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OUR MISSION:
The Shelter Island History Museum collects and preserves the artifacts, records and stories that define the island's unique history. We welcome and connect our community by exploring our shared history through exhibits, research, educational programs and performances. PLEASE NOTE
The Museum is temporarily closed while we prepare for our next exhibit, which opens June 6. In the meantime, we are open for scheduled programs and by appointment. To see upcoming programs, please see the calendar on our website. And to schedule an appointment, please call 631-749-0025. |
A big THANK YOU to the the New York State Council on the Arts for awarding us one of their 2025 Professional Development Grants for Museums!
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THANK YOU to the North Forker readers for voting us the Best History Center!
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Physical Address: 16 South Ferry Road, Shelter Island, NY 11964
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 847, Shelter Island, NY 11964
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 631-749-0025
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The Shelter Island History Museum's main floor and lower level are ADA accessible.
Service Animals are welcome .
Personal photography, without flash, is allowed in the galleries. No photographic equipment (tripods, selfie sticks) is permitted.
When sharing your photos on social media, please tag the Museum! #shelterislandhistorymuseum
Outside food and drink are not permitted inside.
This is a completely smoke-free location. Smoking and Vaping are not permitted anywhere on the grounds.
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 847, Shelter Island, NY 11964
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 631-749-0025
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The Shelter Island History Museum's main floor and lower level are ADA accessible.
Service Animals are welcome .
Personal photography, without flash, is allowed in the galleries. No photographic equipment (tripods, selfie sticks) is permitted.
When sharing your photos on social media, please tag the Museum! #shelterislandhistorymuseum
Outside food and drink are not permitted inside.
This is a completely smoke-free location. Smoking and Vaping are not permitted anywhere on the grounds.