Historical Society of Greater Port Jefferson

Historical Society of Greater Port Jefferson The Historical Society of Greater Port Jefferson was founded in 1967.

Its purpose is to discover, preserve and disseminate knowledge about the history of the Greater Port Jefferson area. The Historical Society of Greater Port Jefferson maintains the Mather Museum Complex which consists of the Mather House, the Dr. R. Sherman Mills Country Shops, the Marine Barn and Sail Loft, Craft House and Museum Shop, the Tool Shed, Frank Child Chair Repair Shop and the Spinney Clock Museum.

09/07/2026

🇺🇸 DID YOU KNOW?

The first Labor Day was celebrated in New York City on September 5, 1882, and became a federal holiday in 1894.

Here in Port Jefferson, generations of shipbuilders, carpenters, sailmakers and other skilled workers helped build our village and its once-thriving shipbuilding industry.

This Labor Day, we remember the hardworking men and women of the past—and honor all those who continue to keep our community moving forward.

Happy Labor Day from the Historical Society of Greater Port Jefferson! Photo credits:

• Shipyard workers with vessel under construction: Courtesy of The Shipyard at Port Jeff Harbor
• Launch of the tugboat Bastrop, May 31, 1919: Photo by Arthur S. Greene, Kenneth C. Brady Collection; courtesy of the Historical Society of Greater Port Jefferson
• Plant Hotel under construction, October 15, 1918: Photo by Arthur S. Greene, National Archives.

kinda chic to be late to a trend? lolWe’re a small organization, and most of us are volunteers, so everything Port Jeff ...
09/05/2026

kinda chic to be late to a trend? lol

We’re a small organization, and most of us are volunteers, so everything Port Jeff Historical Society does is thanks to people who think the work we do is important. We love what we do, from weeding to sorting through our collection.

Come visit us!
🏠 Mather Museum & Consignment Shop
📍 115 Prospect St, Port Jefferson
🕐 Open Wednesday - Sunday, 12 - 4

Summer is coming to a close. This week’s celebrates making the most out of Labor Day weekend. 🌻Making the most of the ...
09/04/2026

Summer is coming to a close. This week’s celebrates making the most out of Labor Day weekend. 🌻

Making the most of the Mather House’s lawn, the 1977 Labor Day Picnic invited members to grab a snack and enjoy the weather. The event was made complete by a potluck in the porch!

Enjoy your weekend, and be sure to stop by our School Daze exhibit!

09/03/2026

When you spot the item and suddenly the bidding gets serious… 😂🙋‍♀️

Join us for the 38th Annual Country Auction and see what treasures are waiting under the tent!

📅 Saturday, October 17, 2026
👀 Preview begins at 9:00 AM
🔨 Auction starts promptly at 9:30 AM
📍 Mather House Museum
115 Prospect Street, Port Jefferson

Rain or shine! Bid plates are $5 with a 12% buyer’s premium. All proceeds support the Historical Society of Greater Port Jefferson.

Get those bid plates ready!

09/02/2026

History is waiting just around the corner! 👀

From vintage signs and old-fashioned remedies to fascinating pieces of everyday life from years gone by—you never know what you’ll discover at the Mather House Museum!

We’re open tomorrow from 12–4. Come explore the museum grounds and take a little trip into Port Jefferson’s past!

📍115 Prospect Street, Port Jefferson
Let our amazing docents show you around 😁

08/31/2026

🏛️ DID YOU KNOW? Some of the Gravestones at Cedar Hill Cemetery Are Older Than the Cemetery Itself!

Cedar Hill Cemetery was established in 1859, when the newly formed Cedar Hill Cemetery Association purchased 13 acres from Hubbard Gildersleeve.

Before then, local families commonly buried their loved ones in small family plots on private property. When some of those older burial grounds were later abandoned, their gravestones were moved to Cedar Hill—but the remains were left undisturbed. Instead, a small amount of soil from the original resting place was moved along with each marker.

That is why Cedar Hill contains gravestones belonging to people who died long before the cemetery opened—including several Revolutionary War-era patriots.

Mary B. Hulse, who died on March 27, 1859 at only 19 years old, is recognized as Cedar Hill’s first official burial.

Today, this still-operational, non-denominational cemetery is the resting place—or place of remembrance—for generations of familiar Port Jefferson families, including the Roes, Woodhulls and Mathers.

Photograph by Port Jefferson Historian Chris Ryon
Sources: Cedar Hill Cemetery Association and TBR News Media

08/29/2026

Welcome

Meet Denice! While many people know her as the star of the Denice Given Band, this VIP is an integral part of the Port Jeff Historical Society team ⭐️❤️

Let’s throw it back to…a few weeks ago! On August 6th, 2026, Port Jefferson Village held a dedication ceremony for the M...
08/28/2026

Let’s throw it back to…a few weeks ago! On August 6th, 2026, Port Jefferson Village held a dedication ceremony for the Mayor Sandra Swenk Garden Terrace.

Many community members came to recognize Sandra Swenk, a charter member of our organization and a history-maker herself. Elected in 1971, Mayor Swenk was Long Island’s first woman mayor.

Share your favorite Swenk Stories!

08/27/2026

🔨 SAVE THE DATE—THE COUNTRY AUCTION IS BACK! 🔨

Join us under the big tent for the Historical Society of Greater Port Jefferson’s 38th Annual Country Auction!

You never know what treasures will turn up—or what you may take home! Vintage finds, collectibles, antiques and plenty of surprises make this one of our most exciting events of the year. And honestly…it’s just a lot of fun!

📅 Saturday, October 17, 2026
🔎 Preview begins at 9:00 AM
🔨 Auction begins promptly at 9:30 AM and runs until approximately 2:00 PM
🎟️ $5 bid plate
➕ 12% buyer’s premium
☔ Rain or shine!

📍 Under the tent at the Mather House Museum
115 Prospect Street, Port Jefferson

Beginning the second week of September, we’ll be sharing sneak peeks of the incoming auction items—so keep watching our page! You may spot something you absolutely have to bid on.

All proceeds benefit the Historical Society of Greater Port Jefferson and help us continue preserving and sharing our community’s history.

Save the date, tag your auction friends and get ready to bid!

08/26/2026

Recognize this Port Jefferson icon?

For more than 70 years, Cappy’s Carpets was a familiar sight on Main Street. And recognize that wonderful green sign? Today, it is preserved as part of the collection at the Mather House Museum!

Come take a tour with one of our amazing docents and discover the many treasures and stories found throughout our museum and grounds. You never know what familiar piece of Port Jefferson’s past you may find!

📍 Mather House Museum
115 Prospect Street, Port Jefferson
Open Wednesday–Sunday, 12–4 PM

Do you remember shopping at Cappy’s?

Address

115 Prospect Street
Port Jefferson, NY
11777

Opening Hours

Wednesday 12pm - 4pm
Thursday 12pm - 4pm
Friday 12pm - 4pm
Saturday 12pm - 4pm
Sunday 12pm - 4pm

Telephone

(631) 473-2665

Website

, ,

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Historical Society of Greater Port Jefferson posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Museum

Send a message to Historical Society of Greater Port Jefferson:

Shortcuts

Share

Category