Preservation Long Island 250Celebrate Long Island's Role in America's Founding

Preservation Long Island 250
Celebrate Long Island’s Role in America’s Founding

Written by pliadmin on February 17, 2026 in Noteworthy

Preservation Long Island celebrates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence

Join us in commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence with special events, programs, and tours across our four historic properties on Long Island. As one of the most historic regions in New York, Long Island played a pivotal role in the American Revolution.

Preservation Long Island’s historic houses, exhibition gallery, collections, and archival manuscripts reveal how local people on Long Island contributed to the unique story of our nation’s founding in profound ways. From Colonel Josiah Smith’s orderly book recording the movements of Long Island’s Minute Men in August 1776, as British forces prepared to land, to the writings of Jupiter Hammon (1711–before 1806) — America’s first published Black poet, enslaved on Long Island — whose works grappled with the moral conflicts of slavery and freedom in the early United States, Long Island’s complex and compelling history comes vividly to life.

Be sure to check this page often for additional events and announcements about special programs we are offering for America’s 250th Anniversary. We look forward to celebrating with you as we honor Long Island’s role in our shared history.

Join Us for Long Island 250th Aniversary Programs at Our Historic Properties

Collect stamps from each of our historic properties for the official Long Island 250th Anniversary Passport Book! The Suffolk County 250th “Passport Book” is now available online through Barnes and Noble Online (not the retail locations), Amazon, Lulu.com, and as a free download. A limited number of paperback Passport Books will be available for sale at our historic properties for $9.