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CULPER SPIES Continued on Page C5 631-751-3730 AUGUST 30, 2018 • ARTS & LIFESTYLES • PAGE C1 Come celebrate Long Island's Revolutionary story An invitation to the Times Beacon Record 4th annual Culper Spy Day News Media© Inside: Event Guide and Map PAGE C2 • ARTS & LIFESTYLES • AUGUST 30, 2018 VISIONS OF CULPER SPY DAY 2017 Photos by Greg Catalano AUGUST 30, 2018 • ARTS & LIFESTYLES • PAGE C3 CULPER SPY DAY Fourth annual Culper Spy Day celebrates our Revolutionary story BY HEIDI SUTTON One of the more interesting features of the home are the original late-18th-centu- ry hand-painted floral wall frescoes on the ‘Lucky is the child who listens to a story walls of the Jayne Parlor. Commissioned by from an elder and treasures it for years.’ William Jayne II, they were rediscovered — Barbara Russell, underneath wallpaper by Sherwood in 1916 Town of Brookhaven Historian who had them restored by well-known artist argo Arceri first heard about George Emil Gruppé. “One small panel was left un- Washington’s Setauket spies from touched so that you can see how it’s weath- M her Strong’s Neck neighbor and ered through the years,” St. George pointed local historian, Kate W. Strong, in the early out during a recent tour. 1970s. Arceri lights up when talking about The home contains artifacts that specif- her favorite spy, Anna Smith Strong. ically relate to the American Revolution, in- “Kate W. Strong, Anna Smith Strong’s cluding paneling on the fireplace wall and great-great-granddaughter, originally told me shutters on a bar in the Tap Room that came about the Culper Spy Ring when I used to visit from the Tallmadge House of Setauket, be- her with my neighbor and Strong descendant lieved to be the birthplace of Colonel Benja- Raymond Brewster Strong III. One of her sto- min Tallmadge, a founding member of the spy ries was about Nancy (Anna Smith Strong’s ring who would become George Washington’s nickname) and her magic clothesline. My love chief intelligence officer. of history grew from there,” she said. As a special treat, Big Bill the Tory, portrayed Five years ago Arceri approached the by David Burt, will make a guest appearance Three Village Historical Society’s President during each tour and share his views on the Steve Hintze and the board about conduct- Photo by Darren St. George, Preservation Long Island Culper Spy Ring and the noble intentions of ing walking, biking and kayaking tours while Meet Big Bill the Tory at the Sherwood-Jayne Farm in East Setauket on Culper Spy Day and learn King George III. “He’ll explain what life has sharing her knowledge of George Washing- the TRUTH about George Washington’s pesky band of renegade spies! been like for him as a Loyalist — the other side ton’s Long Island intelligence during the After a successful three-year run, the However, when the Revolutionary War of the story that we’re really not hearing too American Revolution. fourth annual Culper Spy Day will be held on broke out, Jayne chose to remain a Loyalist much of,” explained St. George. Today, Arceri runs Tri-Spy Tours in the Saturday, Sept. 15 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. offer- and a steadfast supporter of the crown. Parking will be in the field next to the Three Village area, which follows in the actu- ing self-guided tours of 24 locations includ- “William Jayne II was a known Tory in property and visitors are asked to line up at al footsteps of the Culper Spy Ring. “I wanted ing eight new spots for the ultimate Culper the neighborhood,” said St. George. “Long the back door for the tour, which will be on- to target that 20- to 60-year-old active per- Spy Day experience. “The more the merrier,” Island was occupied by many Tories, many going from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Apple cider and son,” she said. “I have to thank AMC’s minise- laughs Arceri. people still supported the king and didn’t donuts will be available for purchase. ries “TURN” because 80 percent of the people One new event you won’t want to miss is want to upset the status quo, but as the war Arceri’s favorite part of the day is “seeing all who sign up for the tour do so because of that an interactive tour at the Sherwood-Jayne concluded, most Torys moved to Canada or these different organizations coming togeth- show,” she laughs. Farm in East Setauket where you’ll experi- Connecticut or they turned their back on the er as a whole. It really is our Revolutionary It was during one of those tours that Arceri ence a different spin on George Washington’s king entirely, but Jayne doesn’t. He still stays story,” she said. “Everywhere you turn in the came up with the idea of having a Culper Spy Culper Spy Ring. Maintained by Preservation a Tory, he has his reputation and still thrives Three Villages you are looking at an artifact, Day, a day to honor the members of Long Long Island, the property boasts a 1700s salt- in the community,” eventually acquiring the and as the historical society believes, the com- Island’s brave Patriot spy ring who helped box home, apple orchard, barn, an ice house, nickname Big Bill the Tory. munity is our museum and that I would really change the course of history and helped corn crib, a pasture and nature trail. When Jayne passed away, the home re- love to put on the forefront of people’s minds.” Washington win the Revolutionary War. According to Darren St. George, education mained in the family until it was sold in Admission is $25 adults, $5 children ages 6 “Visiting places like the Brewster House, and public programs director at Preservation 1908 to Preservation Long Island’s founder, to 12 and may be purchased in advance at the which is owned by The Ward Melville Heritage Long Island, the farm was originally owned Howard C. Sherwood, who used the home to Three Village Historical Society (TVHS), 93 Organization, the grave site of genre artist by the Jayne family. showcase his many antiques. It was placed North Country Road, Setauket, by calling 631- William Sidney Mount at the Setauket Presby- “The property was purchased by Mathias on the National Register of Historic Places 751-3730 or by visiting www.tvhs.org. Veter- terian Church cemetery (whose paintings are Jayne in 1730 [who built a lean-to saltbox in 2009. ans and children under the age of 6 are free. at The Long Island Museum) and the Country dwelling] which is eventually passed down During Culper Spy Day, ticketholders will Tickets may be picked up at the TVHS House, which every one of the spies visited,” to William Jayne II in 1768 who expands the be able to take part in a 20-minute guided from Sept. 11 to 15. At that time, participants Arceri thought “there has to be a day designat- house after his second marriage,” he said, tour of the first floor of the home, specifical- will receive a bracelet and a copy of the Culp- ed to celebrating all these organizations in the continuing, “[William] was involved with lo- ly the Jayne Parlor (which was added after er Spy Day map with all event listings and in- Three Village and surrounding areas; where cal government, he was a constable, so he had the Revolutionary War), the Sherwood Living clude access to 24 Culper Spy Ring locations. each of us can give our little piece of the story some stature and clout in the community and Room (which was the original 1730 home) If available, tickets on the day of the event and that’s how Culper Spy Day developed.” it was nice to have a more substantial home.” and the Tap Room (kitchen/dining room). may be purchased at the historical society. Participating organizations: Library, Long Island Collection; Emma S. Clark Memorial Li- Preservation Long Island; Raynham Hall Museum; Rock The fourth annual Culper Spy Day is presented by Tri-Spy brary; Fairfield Historical Society, Fairfield Museum & Histo- Hall Museum; Setauket Elementary School; Setauket Harbor Tours, the Three Village Historical Society, the Long Island ry Center; Frank Melville Memorial Park; Fraunces Tavern® Task Force; Setauket Neighborhood House; Setauket Presby- Museum and The Ward Melville Heritage Organization in Museum; Gallery North; History Close at Hand; Huntington terian Church; Sherwood-Jayne Farm; Stirring Up History; collaboration with the Benjamin Tallmadge District of the Historical Society; Huntington Militia; Joseph Lloyd Man- Stony Brook University Libraries, Special Collections; Stony Boy Scouts; Campus Bicycle; Caroline Church of Brookhav- or House; Ketcham Inn Foundation; Northport Historical Brookside Bed and Bike Inn; Three Village Community Trust; en; Country House Restaurant; Custom House; Discover Long Society; Old Methodist Church; Paumanok Tours; Port Jef- The Three Village Inn; Times Beacon Record News Media; Island; Drowned Meadow Cottage Museum; East Hampton ferson Chamber of Commerce; Port Jefferson Free Library; and the Underhill Society of America Inc. PAGE C4 • ARTS & LIFESTYLES • AUGUST 30, 2018 CULPER SPY DAY Let’s take a walk through history Visit Revolutionary War spy locations on Culper Spy Day BY BEVERLY C. TYLER It happened in Setauket! A clandestine op- eration to provide General Washington with in- formation on the activity of the British on Long Island and in New York City existed in Setauket during the Revolutionary War. You too can ex- Image from Beverly Tyler SORUHWKHVLWHVWKDW¿JXUHGLQWKHRSHUDWLRQRI Mural by Vance Locke, 1951, depicts the Culper Spy Ring, as it was known. Abraham Woodhull, left, bringing secret On Saturday, Sept.
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