Study Day with Attingham on Long Island’s North Shore

Join us in Oyster Bay for special, alumni-led tours of these fantastic museums: RAYNHAM HALL, PLANTING FIELDS, and PRESERVATION LONG ISLAND

Our program begins at 10:00 a.m. at Raynham Hall with welcome remarks by Executive Director Harriet Gerald Clark. At 10:15, we will split into groups to explore the collections, architecture, and landscape of this 18th-century farm, the home of Robert Townsend who was member of George Washington’s Culper Spy Ring. Dr. Justine Lake-Jedzinark, Director of Education and Public Programs, and Katie Cynkar, the Peggy N. and Roger G. Gerry Curatorial Fellow, will guide guests through the first and second floor historic interiors, as well as the temporary exhibition, Revolutionary Oyster Bay. Drawn from the museum’s rich collections, the show is accompanied by the institution’s first scholarly publication, written by Cynkar. Outside, others will consider the estate’s architectural history and the colonial and Victorian-era landscape with horticulturalist and professor emeritus Dr. Richard Iversen ’89, museum Trustee, and Jessica Pearl, Director of Collections and Exhibitions.

We depart before noon by private coach for a brief journey westward to Planting Fields for our delicious catered lunch and a warm welcome from Attingham alumnae Executive Director Dr. Gina Wouters ’15 and Director of Collections and Research Marie Penny ’25. Wouters and Penny will lead our behind-the-ropes tour of the main house, Coe Hall, before we venture outdoors to contemplate old and new landscape favorites, including the Blue Pool and the brand new Piet Oudolf garden. Our visit concludes with tour of the newly designed archives in the Haybarn building, featuring over 500 linear feet of material. Guests will also enjoy time at their leisure to explore the beautiful gardens and gift shop before we depart at 3:00 p.m.

Our final stop is on the eastern side of Oyster Bay, in the town of Cold Spring Harbor, Suffolk County, at the headquarters of Preservation Long Island. After a warm welcome and introduction from Executive Director Jackie Powers, Chief Curator and Director of Collections Lauren Brincat ’19, SC ’25 will share stories, insights, and takeaways from her exhibition, Water and Wood: Furniture on Long Island, 1660-1860, followed by a sparkling toast and light reception. Our study day finishes at 5:00 p.m. when guests are dropped off at the nearby Cold Spring Harbor Long Island Railroad (LIRR) station for westbound trains back to Manhattan.