STARTS TODAY!
THE
2026 SUMMER CHILDREN’S THEATER PROGRAM!
THE
2026 SUMMER CHILDREN’S THEATER PROGRAM!
Our 2026 Summer Children’s Theater Program is now underway!
As a reminder, here’s what is happening in this workshop, directed and facilitated by the Brooklyn Acting Lab. The program invites young artists to explore theater, history, and community through a joyful, immersive creative process. Over the course of three weeks, children 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 for friends, family, and the community on July 31.
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.
For further information, check the Brooklyn Acting Lab at
https://brooklynactinglab.org
Here’s what’s happening
this Saturday
at the Havens Farmers’ Market!
Here’s what’s happening this Saturday, July 11, at the Havens Farmers’ Market!
Join us this Saturday from 9am-12:30pm, to shop from our amazing local businesses, farm, food, and craft vendors.
And while you’re here, make sure to stop in and see our new exhibits, “Unsung Heroes” and “Havens House: Witness the American Revolution,” and try out our interactive 3D Model of Shelter Island.
We are also looking for volunteers. If you’d like to join us, email
[email protected]
or call 631-749-0025 for details.
- Meet our new vendor, Saha Guys, and sample their delicious selection of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern foods.
- Enjoy live music by members of the Jam Band
- Please make sure to stop by the League of Women Voters and the Shelter Island Fire Department tables for information on these organizations.
Join us this Saturday from 9am-12:30pm, to shop from our amazing local businesses, farm, food, and craft vendors.
And while you’re here, make sure to stop in and see our new exhibits, “Unsung Heroes” and “Havens House: Witness the American Revolution,” and try out our interactive 3D Model of Shelter Island.
We are also looking for volunteers. If you’d like to join us, email
[email protected]
or call 631-749-0025 for details.
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UNSUNG HEROES
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3D MODEL OF SHELTER ISLAND
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The "Unsung Heroes" exhibit, curated by SI High Schoolers, opens at the Shelter Island History Museum this Saturday, July 4. The exhibit showcases the history of women's service organizations, highlighting their courage, sacrifice, and generous volunteerism. The students selected and researched various service uniforms that were owned and worn by local Shelter Island women. Please join us in congratulating this hardworking group of young women and be sure to come check out the exhibit for yourself this summer!
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This 3D Model of Shelter Island during the Revolutionary era was created by SI high schoolers with the help of their teachers. It was designed for families to interact with and enjoy the challenge of considering what our home looked like over 250 years ago. The model is open to the public starting this Saturday, July 4th! Thank you to the incredible team who made this happen: Jayden Frias, Lucas Reiter, Emily Shepherd, Jimbo Theinert, and Chris Conrardy.
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The Gala is currently at capacity.
To reserve a spot on the waitlist, please email [email protected] or call 631-749-0025 with your contact information and the number of people in your party. We will be in touch if space becomes available.
Thank you for your continued support of the Shelter Island History Museum!
To reserve a spot on the waitlist, please email [email protected] or call 631-749-0025 with your contact information and the number of people in your party. We will be in touch if space becomes available.
Thank you for your continued support of the Shelter Island History Museum!
FROM OUR ARCHIVES:
THE SHELTER ISLAND DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
Many Shelter Islanders have heard of the “Shelter Island Declaration of Independence,” but fewer know its story. In the spring of 1775, more than a year before the signing of our nation's Declaration of Independence, the sparks of revolution were just beginning to grow in New York. That was until the Battles of Lexington and Concord.
Boston was ground zero for the rising tensions against British tyranny. In response, the British government appointed General Thomas Gage as Governor of Massachusetts in 1774. Through the implementation and enforcement of the Intolerable Acts, Gage punished colonists for acts of defiance against the crown. In April of 1775, he ordered a seizure of all weapons and powder being stored in Concord.
Boston was ground zero for the rising tensions against British tyranny. In response, the British government appointed General Thomas Gage as Governor of Massachusetts in 1774. Through the implementation and enforcement of the Intolerable Acts, Gage punished colonists for acts of defiance against the crown. In April of 1775, he ordered a seizure of all weapons and powder being stored in Concord.
Stand Your Ground, a National Guard Heritage Painting by Dom Troiani, courtesy of the National Guard Bureau.
Patriot spies caught wind of his plan, and on the evening of April 18th, patriot riders, like Paul Revere, raised the alarm that the British were on their way. American forces assembled during the night to stop the British before they reached Concord. What followed on April 19th in Lexington and Concord was the first armed engagement of the Revolutionary War. More than 5,000 men were involved, and after approximately 400 casualties, the Americans won. Although “the shot heard around the world” was fired more than 140 miles north of Shelter Island, its reverberations were certainly felt by all its residents.
By April 23rd, news of the event had reached New York, and shortly thereafter, a Form of Association pledging support to the Continental Congress and to the Provincial Convention was circulated to all the counties in the province of New York. Only free, white, landowning men were allowed to sign, and those “freeholders” who did not sign were therefore known as “non-associators” or “recusants,” and often assumed to be loyalists.
Shelter Island’s Association was signed by 43 freeholders. These men were farmers, mariners, privateers, and patriots. Many of the family names on this document are still familiar to us today.
By April 23rd, news of the event had reached New York, and shortly thereafter, a Form of Association pledging support to the Continental Congress and to the Provincial Convention was circulated to all the counties in the province of New York. Only free, white, landowning men were allowed to sign, and those “freeholders” who did not sign were therefore known as “non-associators” or “recusants,” and often assumed to be loyalists.
Shelter Island’s Association was signed by 43 freeholders. These men were farmers, mariners, privateers, and patriots. Many of the family names on this document are still familiar to us today.
Copy of the 1775 Association of Shelter Island published in Historical Papers on Shelter Island and its Presbyterian church (1899) by Rev. Jacob E. Mallman.
Unfortunately, no one living today has ever seen the original of this historic document. What happened to it, you may ask?
Forms of Association from New York townships, along with other historic material from this time period, were compiled into a collection known as the “Papers Laid Before the Provincial Congress” and stored in the New York Capitol Building in Albany.
Tragically, on March 29th, 1911, a fire broke out in the Assembly Library of the Capitol. The fire is said to have destroyed over 725,000 books and historic documents. Our 1775 Association was among the casualties, completely destroyed in the blaze. It remains one of the most significant library disasters in modern history.
Forms of Association from New York townships, along with other historic material from this time period, were compiled into a collection known as the “Papers Laid Before the Provincial Congress” and stored in the New York Capitol Building in Albany.
Tragically, on March 29th, 1911, a fire broke out in the Assembly Library of the Capitol. The fire is said to have destroyed over 725,000 books and historic documents. Our 1775 Association was among the casualties, completely destroyed in the blaze. It remains one of the most significant library disasters in modern history.
Photos of the 1911 Capitol Fire, courtesy of the Empire State Plaza collection.
Our “Declaration of Independence”—our “Magna Carta”—was thus lost to history. Fortunately, prior to the fire, copies of our 1775 Association were published. This has allowed us to preserve its image and the historical signatures it contains despite the tragic loss of the original.
To learn more about the 43 signatories, their families, and those who were excluded from signing the Association, visit the “Havens House: Witness the American Revolution” exhibit at the Shelter Island History Museum, open now through December!
To learn more about the 43 signatories, their families, and those who were excluded from signing the Association, visit the “Havens House: Witness the American Revolution” exhibit at the Shelter Island History Museum, open now through December!
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A FEW SELECTIONS
FROM OUR CURRENT EXHIBIT, "HAVENS HOUSE: WITNESS THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION" |
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. SUMMER HOURS:
Open Tuesday - Friday, 10am to 2pm Saturday, 9am-12:30pm 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.