Celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution on Long Island
The Long Island Museum is proud to celebrate the semiquincentennial of the American Revolution and the pivotal role Long Island played in our nation’s fight for independence, with special exhibitions, along with engaging public programming. Come discover YOUR history, as you explore our colonial roots and the enduring stories of the First Peoples of Long Island—from their history of survival to the ongoing battle for cultural identity.
LIM is a proud partner in Suffolk County’s year-long 250 celebration. Visit suffolk250.org, to view more events across our region.
Exhibitions
John Ramage (1748-1802), Miniature Portrait of Col. Benjamin Tallmadge, 1783, Watercolor on Ivory. Courtesy of the Litchfield Historical Society, Litchfield, Connecticut.
The Seat of Action: Long Island in the American Revolution and Beyond
February 19–October 18, 2026
In commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary, The Seat of Action spotlights the experiences of the Long Island region during the Revolutionary War, an area that was under martial law and British control longer than any other part of the American colonies. In the years between the Battle of Long Island (August 1776) and the liberation of New York (November 1783), military occupation led to the loss and destruction of property, the separation of families, and an unprecedented level of suffering across this area. Though our collective regional memory often emphasizes the glory and valor of important episodes such as the Culper Spy Ring—a military intelligence-gathering group originated by Major Benjamin Tallmadge (1754–1835) of Setauket—the general experience for Long Islanders over those seven years was one that witnessed large-scale exodus of population and the devastation of churches, orchards, livestock, and woodlands as British forces used the area as a source of fuel and nourishment for their larger war effort. The post-Revolutionary War era was one of profound reconstruction across Long Island. At the same time, the tragic impacts of the war also brought about powerful and transformative legacies, leading to more democratic politics across this region and to the eventual end of slavery, both on Long Island and in New York State.
Jeremy Dennis (b. 1990), Manitou Hill, 2017, digital dye-sublimation print on aluminum. The Long Island Museum Collection.
Enduring Heart: Native American Long Island
August 20–December 20, 2026
A celebration of the First People of Long Island. Our Native American communities and people are at the heart of this region’s history, its present, and its future. Regardless of their ancestry, the 2.9 million Long Islanders of all backgrounds—who live in villages with Algonquian names that include Hauppauge, Ronkonkoma, Mastic, Montauk, and more—have a stake and a vested interest in gaining a much better understanding and appreciation of the complicated, interwoven, and ongoing story of Native Long Island. This exhibition is the first at LIM to explore the historical contours and the present-day artistic legacies of this story, developed in collaboration with an advisory panel of Native American community members and scholarly experts.
Podcast
Co-Executive Director and exhibition curator Joshua Ruff on The Long Island History Project
Take an audio tour of The Seat of Action exhibition with LIM Co-Executive Director and exhibition curator Joshua Ruff and The Long Island History Project host Chris Kretz. Together, they take a closer look at the remarkable objects on view and explore Long Island’s pivotal role in the American Revolution—and the lasting impact of those events.
Or listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
Events & Programming
America on Screen: 250 Years of Stories from the Smithsonian Channel
Join us on select Friday afternoons for a special film series commemorating America’s 250th Anniversary. Enjoy screenings of Smithsonian Channel programs that explore the people, places, and stories that shaped America.
Included with museum admission. No registration required.
- Made in the USA / November 20 @ 2:00 pm
- Small Town Life / December 11 @ 2:00 pm
Learn more bout each film on our film screenings page.
Presented courtesy of the Smithsonian Channel.
Enduring Heart Lecture & Gallery Walk
Saturday, November 14 2026 / 1:00–2:30 PM
Join anthropological archaeologist Allison McGovern, PhD, RPA, Cultural Resources Manager at Brookhaven National Laboratory, for an engaging program exploring the complex relationship between archaeology and Native American history.
The program begins with a seated lecture in the Gillespie Room, followed by a guided talk and walk through Enduring Heart: Native American Long Island. Discover how archaeological practices have shaped our understanding of Native American communities and the challenges that can arise when studying Indigenous histories and cultural heritage. McGovern will also discuss emerging approaches that center Native perspectives and offer hopeful possibilities for a more respectful and collaborative future.
REGISTRATION
Space is limited, so reserve your spot early at the link below.
Stealing America – Free Virtual Lecture
Wednesday, November 18, 2026 / 1:00–2:30 PM
Join us for a virtual lecture with Linford D. Fisher, author and Professor of History at Brown University, to focus on his new book, Stealing America: The Hidden Story of Indigenous Slavery in U.S. History, and the lesser-known stories of Native enslavement and land loss throughout American history.
Although the first enslaved Africans arrived in Jamestown in 1619, European slavery in America began more than a century before. In Stealing America, Fisher demonstrates how the enslavement of Indigenous people began in the years just after 1492, ensnaring an estimated three to six million Natives throughout the Americas. Although largely erased from the public consciousness, Native enslavement continued for centuries to become a colossal phenomenon that affected nearly 600,000 Native Americans in North America alone, revealing the shocking truth that American colonizers enslaved Natives in roughly the same numbers as they imported enslaved African
REGISTRATION
This virtual Zoom lecture is free for all! Register by November 15 to receive your link via email.
The Boys & Girls Club of the Shinnecock Indian Nation Dance Troupe Performance
Saturday, November 21, 2026 / 1:00–2:00 PM
The Boys & Girls Club of Shinnecock Nation Dance Troupe is a group of Native American youth from the Shinnecock Nation who share their culture through dance. Performing throughout Long Island and New York City, the troupe showcases both powwow-style and traditional Shinnecock dances. Their performances offer audiences a fun and engaging opportunity to learn about Indigenous traditions, history, and the vibrant culture of the Shinnecock people.
REGISTRATION
This program is included with museum admission. Registration link coming soon!
Artist Spotlight: David Bunn Martine
Saturday, December 12 @ 1:00–2:30 pm
Join us for a special artist talk with David Bunn Martine, a featured artist in Enduring Heart: Native American Long Island. A member of the Shinnecock/Montauk Nations and a descendant of the Nde Daa’i (Nednai) Chiricahua Apache, Martine will share insights into his artwork, creative process, and the stories and histories that inform his work. He will also present archival photographs from Long Island’s Native American communities, offering a deeper look at the people, traditions, and histories represented in his art.
Born in Southampton, New York, Martine is a painter, sculptor, educator, curator, and writer whose work draws upon Native American history, family stories, oral histories, and cultural traditions. His artistic practice encompasses classical portraiture, historical narrative painting, murals, sculpture, and illustration. His work frequently explores the history and cultural heritage of Native communities of Long Island and the Northeast Woodland region.
REGISTRATION
This program is included with museum admission. Space is limited, so reserve your spot at the link below.
