Greater Westhampton Historical Museum

08/19/2026

This week, our Artifact of the Week is the Eastman Kodak No. 2 Folding Autographic Brownie, a camera that helped put photography into the hands of everyday people. It was designed by Frank A. Brownell and named after the Brownie characters created by Canadian illustrator Palmer Cox, as it was initially aimed at children as a way to popularize photography. Its simplicity and capable performance quickly won over adults, as well, making it a massive success with over half a million units produced between 1915 and 1926. It folds closed to 1.25" thick, and were even taken into World War I by soldiers.

What makes this model so fascinating is the Kodak autographic system, which featured a small back opening to reveal a carbon-paper mechanism and stylus to inscribe notes directly onto the film as it was used.

Come see this artifact in-person on display at the Greater Westhampton Historical Museum, located at 101 Mill Road in Westhampton Beach and now featuring our America 250th Celebration Exhibit! We're open from 10:00 to 3:00 Wednesday through Saturday, so stop on by.

08/05/2026

Calling All Artists!

Join us September 25th & 26th at the Remsenburg Academy for a fantastic art show to support the Greater Westhampton Historical Museum.

We need your art! We are currently accepting donations of paintings, sculptures, photography, ceramics, textiles, and mixed media from local artists.

Drop off your work by September 19th at our campus located on 101 Mill Road, Westhampton Beach. We're open Wednesday through Saturday, 10 AM - 3 PM.

Works will be sold at a range of $75 - $200. While we can't afford to compensate artists directly, this is a great opportunity to get your work in front of a crowd of art lovers in support of a 501(c)(3). Need a canvas? We have free ones at the museum for pickup!

Help us fill the gallery!

Questions? Call Gavin, the museum's Executive Director, at (631) 374-2859 or Eleanor, the museum's fundraising chair, at (631) 375-0471. Or, call the museum directly at (631) 288-1139!

Don't forget to grab the Artist Form when you drop off your work!

07/29/2026

This pair of opera glasses, featuring brass internal mechanisms in mother-of-pearl, represents the convergence of optical innovation and decorative artistry that flourished in the 19th century. While monocular versions appeared in London as early as 1730, the binocular form with independent focusing tubes originated in Vienna in 1823, with Pierre Lemiere refining the mechanism via a center-focus wheel in Paris just two years later in a design evolution that made these glasses far more practical for theatre-goers. Beyond their optical function, such pieces were treasured as fashion statements and social accessories, collaboratively crafted by opticians, painters, and goldsmiths, often exchanged as gifts or tributes, and flaunted at sporting and entertainment events much like fine hats. The worn condition of this particular set, with one eye-cup completely missing its pearl cap and the other left rough and incomplete, testifies to its active use and storied past and embodying an era when opera glasses were as much about personal flair as they were about clear vision.

Come see this artifact in-person on display at the Greater Westhampton Historical Museum, located at 101 Mill Road in Westhampton Beach and now featuring our America 250th Celebration Exhibit! We're open from 10:00 to 3:00 Wednesday through Saturday, so stop on by.

07/08/2026

Butterfly in our garden.
Thank you Westhampton Garden Club!

07/04/2026

Happy 4th of July!

06/29/2026

From the birth of our nation to over a century of local celebration, step into the story of America at our new American Semiquincentennial Exhibit.

Explore the powerful imagery that has defined our nation, from the early personification of the iconic Uncle Sam to the Statue of Liberty. Then, travel back in time to a period room depicting life in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, and discover the heart of local history in our War Room, which honors Westhampton's role in the Revolution and the stories of its veterans who have served in American wars.

Don't miss the exhibit's tribute to community spirit, and thank you for celebrating with us!

📍 Location: 101 Mill Road, Westhampton Beach, 11978
📅 Dates: Open Wednesday – Saturday
🕙 Time: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

We hope to see you there! 🇺🇸

06/24/2026

Mark Your Calendars! Free Summer Crafts & Demos at GWHM!

We are so excited to announce our Free Summer Craft Demonstration Series! Every Saturday for the next four weeks, we are hosting incredible artisans right here on our campus. Best of all? Admission is FREE! 🎉

Come watch history in the making:

🧵 July 18 (10 AM - 1 PM): Historic Embroidery with Danielle Little
📜 July 25 (10 AM - 1 PM): Paper Quilling with Gayle Wagner
🌾 August 1 (10 AM - 1 PM): Flax Spinning to Linen with Toni-Ann Kaste
🌿 August 8 (10 AM - 1 PM): Herb Vinegars with Maryann Hill of the Westhampton Garden Club

🖼️ Don't forget: Our America 250th Anniversary Exhibit will also be open from 10 AM to 3 PM on these days, so you can enjoy the crafts and the history all in one trip!

📍 Location: 101 Mill Road, Westhampton Beach, 11978.

Bring your friends and family for a morning of learning and fun. We can't wait to see you there!

06/12/2026

🌿 Join the Westhampton Garden Club for the 2026 Rooms & Gardens Tour – Featuring Our Museum!

We’re thrilled to announce that the Greater Westhampton Historical Museum will be a featured stop on the Westhampton Garden Club’s beloved Rooms & Gardens Tour!

📅 Date: Friday, July 10, 2026
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

🎟️ Ticket Pickup:
Quogue Library (90 Quogue Street, Quogue, NY)
Day‑of pickup from 9:00 AM – Noon

Ticket Prices:

Single Ticket: $85
Benefactor Ticket: $200

👉 Get your tickets here:
🔗 https://www.westhamptongardenclub.org/shop/p/single-ticket-for-westhampton-garden-club-gardens-and-rooms-tour-2026

🍽️ Special Lunch Perks for Tour‑Goers
Just show your wristband between 12–3 PM to enjoy exclusive deals:

Baby Moon Restaurant (238 Montauk Hwy, Westhampton Beach) – 25% off entire menu. Reservations recommended: (631) 288-6350

Fauna (6 Parlato Dr., Westhampton Beach) – $29 Prix Fixe menu. Reserve via (631) 288-3500 or Resy.com

Flora (149 Main St., Westhampton Beach) – Regular menu. Reservations: (631) 998-9600

Schmidt’s County Market (146 Jessup Ave., Quogue) – Grab & Go lobster roll for just $20. Text Debbie at (516) 325-8171 by 5 PM on July 7 to order.

We can’t wait to welcome you to our historic space as part of this beautiful tour of gardens and interiors. Thank you for supporting local history, horticulture, and community!

Single Ticket Price: $85, benefactor Ticket Price $200 Date: Friday, July 10, 2026, 10:00AM-3:00PM Ticket pickup Day of the event at Quogue Library, 90 Quogue Street, Quogue NY

06/11/2026

📣 Welcome, everyone!

We’re so excited to have you join us for The Greater Westhampton Historical Museum’s "Anchored in History" Auction! 🎉

Whether you’re a longtime history buff or just love finding unique treasures, we’ve put together something special for you. Take a look at the images below to see just a few of the amazing items up for grabs – there’s something for everyone!

✅ Ready to bid? Head here:
👉 https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/the-greater-westhampton-historical-museums-anchored-in-history-auction

We can’t wait to see you there – happy bidding! 💙⚓

06/08/2026

Ticket sales for our Anchored in History Gala are now closed, but the auction is OPEN to everyone, even if you're not coming to the event!

You can start bidding right now on incredible items, including:

A Frank Sinatra signed acrylic dish
A Knicks framed signed print
Two 100-Level Tickets to see Andrea Bocelli @ Madison Square Garden
A domestic getaway for two for a choice of five locations across the United States
A 5-night stay in Mexico at Vidanta Resort for two (2)
Plus jewelry and luxury handbags!

No need to attend the gala to win. Winners can arrange item pickup after June 11th.

👉 Click here to bid now:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/the-greater-westhampton-historical-museums-anchored-in-history-auction

Bidding is live, so don't miss out on these amazing experiences and treasures!

This year’s “Anchored in History” Gala is our biggest fundraiser, and the auction is where the excitement takes off. We’ve put together a fantastic mix of experiences and treasures, including getaway packages for warm‑weather escapes and domestic travel, concert and event tickets to see bi...