Raynham Hall Museum, home of Robert Townsend, a spy for General Washington, welcomes the community to a historical re-enactment on Sunday, Sept. 25, from noon to 4 p.m. The Huntington Militia will present a colonial encampment and offer demonstrations of colonial life skills including military drills for children, firing a musket, colonial cooking and craft demonstrations, historic games on the lawn and mini-concerts of colonial music on period instruments.
The museum will also present a fascinating theatrical experience for visitors. Merchant Robert Townsend will be open for business in his 18th century store, where Oyster Bay’s Patriots and Loyalists meet and sparks fly.
Raynham Hall staff and volunteers, wearing their historic costumes, will also be on hand with free apple cider and cookies for all.
This event is free and open to the public and includes admission to the museum. Raynham Hall is located at 20 West Main St.
Townsend was a central member of George Washington’s Culper Spy Ring. The home was occupied by British officer Maj. John Graves Simcoe during the Revolutionary War. Heavily Victorianized in the 1850s, the house offers two eras of interpretation, with the front of the house showcasing the period of the revolution and the back of the house preserving a late 19th century aesthetic. Hours are from 1 to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. The garden is open to the public, and school field trip tours are available by appointment. For more information, call 516-922-6808 or visit raynhamhallmuseum.org.
The Huntington Militia is a colonial living history re-enactment group that traces its roots back to Huntington’s founding in 1653 and is the official ceremonial guard of the Town of Huntington.
