The 9th annual Culper Spy Day took place on Saturday, September 9th, 2023 in Setauket, NY.

SAVE THE DATE for the 10th annual Culper Spy Day on Saturday, September 7, 2024

 

Culper Spy Day is presented by the Three Village Historical Society and Tri-Spy Tours.

Made possible by the generosity of our title sponsor, Heritage Spy Ring Golf Club.

 

It's the event that every history buff waits for, when the community comes together, from Manhattan to Montauk, to celebrate our Revolutionary roots.

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The Three Village area is full of hidden intrigue and stories of how America’s first spy ring came together secretly to provide General George Washington the information he needed to turn the tide of the American Revolution.

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On Culper Spy Day, you will have the chance to visit the places where history was made and visit with area groups to learn about the patriots who risked their lives. Culper Spy Day is a collaboration of local historical and cultural organizations and people that host diverse events to tell the amazing history behind the Culper Spy Ring.

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Three Village Historical Society Activity Schedule (93 N. Country Rd., East Setauket, NY)

• 10:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. - Tour the Spies! exhibit with costumed docents, $10/person (Tour begins every 30 minutes)

• 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. - Complimentary Face Painting (Sponsored by the O'Dwyer-Brainard Team at Daniel Gale Sotheby's Intl. Realty)

• 11:00 a.m. -  "Build" a timber frame house with Abraham Woodhull

• 12:30 p.m. - Children's story hour on the lawn. Listen to Sarah Beth Durst read an excerpt from her soon to be published children's book Spy Ring

• 1:00 p.m. - Join the 23rd Regiment of Foot and Huntington Militia in a march around General George Washington's encampment! 

• 1:00 p.m. - Join Margo Arceri of Tri-Spy Tours for a walking tour beginning at Frank Melville Park (SOLD OUT!)

• 1:30 p.m. - Compete in a sack race!

 

On-going from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. on the TVHS lawn

• Culper Spy themed authors and book signing, including Claire Bellerjeau, Selene Castrovilla and Dana Zotter.

• Colonial Cooking Demonstration with Stirring Up History

• Revolutionary War encampment and musket firing drills with the 23rd Regiment of Foot, Royal Welch Fusiliers in America and The Huntington Militia

• General George Washingtons Oval Field Office

• Augmented Reality demonstrations transporting you back to 18th century Long Island by 360xr

• Mobile exhibits from Raynham Hall, Stony Brook University, Setauket Harbor Task Force, Northport Historical Society and more

• Invisible Ink Demonstrations and 18th Century Craft Making

• Culper gift shop

• View and learn about Anna Smith Strong’s famed clothesline

• Colonial toy making and children's revolutionary era crafts with the Anna Smith Strong DAR

• Printmaking with Gallery North

       and more!

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Around Town from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 

See history come to life with this SELF-GUIDED interactive tour spanning the Three Villages and beyond!

 

VISIT:

• Setauket Neighborhood House, c. 1790 (95 Main Street, Setauket) 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Historic house tours (public bathrooms and complimentary cold water available)​

• Emma S. Clark Memorial Library, c. 1892 (120 Main Street, Setauket) 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 

  • ​11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. live music on the Library lawn. 

  • All day. View Revolutionary War soldiers’ equipment and civilian paraphernalia in the Library’s lobby. Learn about the Library’s Culper Spy Ring website (spyring.emmaclark.org).

  • 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. kids crafts on the Library lawn.

• Sherwood-Jayne Farm, c.1730 (55 Old Post Road, Setauket) 10:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Preservation Long Island is proud to announce the return of Big Bill the Tory! During the American Revolution, almost 30% of Long Islanders identified as Loyalists. William Jayne III proudly represents this position and defends the noble intentions and virtuosities of King George III. Drop by the Sherwood-Jayne Farm to hear the other side of the story about George Washington’s pesky band of renegade spies! $5/person. Register here.

• Drowned Meadow Cottage Museum, c.1755 (141 West Broadway, Port Jefferson)​ 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. ​Opening of the new exhibit, Privateers: Pirates with Permission, at the Drowned Meadow Cottage Museum. Events will include guided tours, privateers re-enacting the plundering of the Roe family and colonial-themed storytelling for children.

• Patriots Rock (Adjacent 97 Main Street, Setauket) 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. In 1777, Colonial and British forces clashed throughout the day at Patriots Rock. Today, this historic landmark serves as an important reminder of the strength and endurance that is the foundation of our country’s past, present and future.  Don’t miss the opportunity to visit this important site. The Three Village Community Trust will be on hand to hold talks, tours, and answer questions about ‘The Rock.’ And don’t forget to buy a Patriots Rock t-shirt or hat!

• Long Island Museum (1200 NY-25A, Stony Brook) 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. (free admission) Make a stop at LIM during Three Village Historical Society’s 8th Annual Culper Spy Day! Take this limited opportunity to see the recently discovered Culper Spy letter on display. The handwritten letter dated November 8, 1779, from Benjamin Tallmadge (using his alias, John Bolton) to Robert Townsend (alias, Samuel Culper Jr.) is the only known surviving letter between the two. Also spend time with our world famous carriage collection, some with a special connection to Long Island’s Revolutionary War history. 

• Caroline Episcopal Church of Setauket, c. 1729 (1 Dyke Road, Setauket) Open for guided tours 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. In addition, the History Center will be open for self-guided tours, with a docent present for questions. The cemetery can be visited at any time. 

• Setauket Presbyterian Church, c. 1812 (5 Caroline Ave., Setauket) The interior of the church will be open with docent's from 11:00 a.m. -2:00 p.m. An informational pamphlet will be available. Cemetery open anytime.

• Stony Brook University, Melville Library Level 2, Special Collections (100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook) 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. (free admission, free parking in the Administration garage) Spies do exist in the archive! Visit Special Collections during Three Village Historical Society’s 9th Annual Culper Spy Day to view an original 1779 letter from George Washington to Benjamin Tallmadge concerning the Culper Spy Ring.

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