Southampton History Museum plans America 250 gala at Halsey House

The Southampton History Museum will hold its annual Halsey House Gala on July 3 at Halsey House & Garden in Southampton, New York, as part of the lead-up to America 250. The event will support the museum’s preservation and education work while spotlighting one of the village’s oldest colonial buildings.

Why it matters: - The gala ties a local preservation fundraiser to the national 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. - Halsey House, built in 1683, offers a direct link to Southampton’s colonial history and the American Revolution era. - Proceeds support the Southampton History Museum’s historic sites, archives, collections and public programs.

What happened: - The Southampton History Museum will host its annual Halsey House Gala on Friday, July 3, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. - The event will take place at Halsey House & Garden, 249 South Main Street, Southampton, New York. - Jean Shafiroff and Mary Slattery will serve as gala co-chairs. - Bill McCuddy will emcee the evening.

The details: - The gala comes on the eve of Independence Day and is designed as an America 250 celebration. - Halsey House is one of the oldest English colonial buildings in Southampton and remains a historic landmark in the village. - The event will feature cocktails by Herbert & Rist, including the “Salty Sayre,” created for the museum’s exhibition Stephen Sayre's American Revolution at Rogers Mansion. - The museum’s Stephen Sayre's American Revolution exhibition runs from June 12, 2026, to January 2, 2027. - Guests will also get a premier raw bar, hors d’oeuvres from Thyme & Again and live music by D@'Band. - The event will include an auction of a painting by Hunt Slonem to support fundraising. - Ticket and sponsorship information is available here.

Between the lines: - The museum is using a flagship social event to connect local donors with a broader national milestone. - The Halsey House setting adds historical weight that strengthens the event’s appeal beyond a standard gala. - The America 250 theme also helps the museum spotlight its current exhibition and expand support for year-round programming.

What's next: - The gala is set for July 3, 2026, ahead of the July 4 holiday. - Museum fundraising efforts will continue through sponsorships, ticket sales and the auction. - The Stephen Sayre's American Revolution exhibition will remain on view into early 2027.

The bottom line: - Southampton History Museum is turning a fundraiser into a patriotic history event, with America 250 as the central theme.