Mary Dowling Knows Oyster Bay!
Mary Dowling aced the June 4 Mystery Picture. She said, “It’s the Oyster Bay Water District building!”
Billy Minicozzi gave a good guess, noting the unusual flag and guessed it was St. Dominic’s.
Actually, we hoped readers noted the banner on the lamp post. The banner was designed to entice people to visit Raynham Hall Museum with its picture of people in colonial dress. It was to announce their Valentine exhibit.
In 1779, a significant American tradition began right here in Oyster Bay. The first Valentine in the country was bestowed upon 19-year-old Sally Townsend of Raynham Hall (then called the Townsend Homestead) by the British Officer Lt. Col. John Graves Simcoe. To this day, Raynham Hall Museum boasts being the home of America’s first Valentine.
Now that is something to celebrate!
