[[trackingImage]]

Website     Contact

The Suffolk 250 Planning Committee Toolkit

Questions? Contact the 250th Commemorative Planning Committee Co-Chairs: Kristin MacKay or Will Jaskolski

Or the 250 Events Co-Chair: Jeannie Perna.

The Suffolk County 250th "Passport Book"

is now available online through Barnes and Noble Online (not the retail locations),

Amazon, Lulu.com, and as a free download.


This book was published through the collective efforts of the

Suffolk County 250th Commemorative Planning Committee.


A special thanks to Phyllis Chan Carr, Director of Marketing for the Sagtikos Manor Historical Society, for designing the cover of the book and for assisting with the design of the interior.

Visit www.suffolk250.org for more information.


All organizations with a page in the passport book must enter their events. Others are also welcome to enter their 250th related events on the map.

Add your 250 related events, exhibits, and revolutionary war sites so that they will auto-populate into the public event map on the website and on the mobile app.

You can view the map here.

Would you like to apply as a Vendor or Service Provider for a 250th-Related Event?

Suffolk County is currently seeking professional services and vendors for two events. Please read the details about the events so that you know what we are looking for, and then choose the correct application.

The Oyster Jamboree and Frolic

As Suffolk County prepares to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, the SUFFOLK 250 initiative seeks to highlight the maritime, agricultural, and commercial traditions that shaped our region from colonial times through the present day.

Few places embody this historic continuity more distinctly than the Village of Port Jefferson. On August 15, 2026, a 250th Anniversary-themed Oyster Jamboree will be held at Harborfront Park in collaboration with the Long Island Oyster Growers Association (LIOGA), local business and community stakeholders. The event will begin at 11:00 am and run until 6:00 pm.

The event will be designed to educate the public about the area’s heritage, including its maritime roots and the role that oysters played in colonial times. It is also intended to generate meaningful tourism activity, support the business community, and commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the nation.

To achieve our mission, the Suffolk 250 Commemorative Planning Committee is seeking a wide array of professional services to demonstrate colonial maritime life. We need people and programs that demonstrate a commitment to historical authenticity. Most of the engagements for this event are expected to fall below $1500; however, depending on the scope and nature of the service provided, some contracts may exceed this amount. All engagements will be subject to Suffolk County procurement policies and procedures.

Below are some examples of professional services we are seeking for the Oyster Jamboree:

  • Docents to provide historical context about colonial life on Long Island
  • 18th Century Reenactors Children’s Games and Activities
  • Musicians Colonial dancing and Folk Music
  • Other unique 18th century displays and demonstrations that connect to Long Island’s maritime culture

Selected participants will be notified in advance of the event and provided with appropriate county vendor documentation. Payment for services will be issued by Suffolk County following completion of the event and submission of an invoice, in accordance with county payment procedures. Commercial liability insurance may be required in addition to a signed Indemnification/ Hold Harmless Agreement.

Professional Services Applications are due by May 15, 2026. (This may be extended.) For additional information about Suffolk County’s 250th Anniversary events and planning, please visit www.suffolk250.org or contact us at suffolk250@suffolkcountyny.gov


Link to paper application: Link

Link to the online Applications: Link


The Colonial Fair at the Manor of St. George - PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Suffolk County is hosting an 18th Century Colonial Fair on at the Manor of St. George in Shirley, NY on Saturday, October 24, 2026 from 10 am - 5 pm to help commemorate the 250th Anniversary of America’s Independence. The rain date for this event in on Sunday, October 25, 2026. The intent of this fair is to recreate the sights and sounds of the 18th century, bringing the past to life for the visiting public. We anticipate 2500-3500 visitors for the day.

Suffolk 250 events are meant for visitors of all ages, to educate and help the public learn about our history, exchange and pass on knowledge about our shared experiences, and celebrate life and freedom in America.

To achieve our mission, the Suffolk 250 Commemorative Planning Committee is seeking a wide array of professional services to recreate colonial life in New York. We need people and programs that demonstrate a commitment to historical authenticity. Most of the engagements for this event are expected to fall below $1500; however, depending on the scope and nature of the service provided, some contracts may exceed this amount. All engagements will be subject to Suffolk County procurement policies and procedures.

Below are some examples of professional services we are seeking:

  • Docents to provide historical context about colonial life on Long Island, the Manor of St. George, William Floyd and the William Floyd Estate, Native American and African American Life, the Talmadge Trail, the Culper Spy Ring and related stories.
  • 18th Century Reenactors Children’s Games and Activities
  • Militia and related demonstrations Displays of Farming and Produce
  • Short lectures
  • 18th Century Fishing and Boating Displays and Information
  • Musicians, Colonial dancing, and Folk Music
  • Other unique and informative 18th century displays and demonstrations

Selected participants will be notified in advance of the event and provided with appropriate county vendor documentation. Payment for services will be issued by Suffolk County following completion of the event and submission of an invoice, in accordance with county payment procedures. Commercial liability insurance may be required in addition to a signed Indemnification/ Hold Harmless Agreement.

Professional Services Applications are due by June 1, 2026. For additional information about Suffolk County’s 250th Anniversary events and planning, please visit www.suffolk250.org or contact us at suffolk250@suffolkcountyny.gov


The Colonial Fair at the Manor of St. George - CRAFT AND FOOD VENDORS


Suffolk County is hosting an 18th Century Colonial Fair on at the Manor of St. George in Shirley, NY on Saturday, October 24, 2026 from 10 am - 5 pm to help commemorate the 250th Anniversary of America’s Independence. The rain date for this event in on Sunday, October 25, 2026. The intent of this fair is to recreate the sights and sounds of the 18th century, bringing the past to life for the visiting public. We anticipate 2500-3500 visitors for the day.

Suffolk 250 events are meant for visitors of all ages, to educate and help the public learn about our history, exchange and pass on knowledge about our shared experiences, and celebrate life and freedom in America.

To achieve our mission, the Suffolk 250 Commemorative Planning Committee is seeking craft and food vendors who can demonstrate a commitment to historical authenticity. We are especially interested in local restaurants setting up at this event to sell seafood chowder – and to enter our “Seafood Chowder Tasting Contest.”

Craft and Food Vendor applications are due by July 30, 2026. For additional information about Suffolk County’s 250th Anniversary events and planning, please visit www.suffolk250.org or contact us at suffolk250@suffolkcountyny.gov



Grant Opportunities

                     Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation, 250th Commemoration Grant, 2026



The Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation has designated $250,000 toward funding for educational events commemorating the Semiquincentennial.


This offering is limited to Nassau and Suffolk County Historical Societies with educational missions. 

Maximum award request is $5000, one per organization. Requests for lesser amounts are welcome, but will be noted as the single allotment toward funding. Please go to www.rdlgfoundation.org News link for information and requirements

Applications open January 1, 2026. 


FYI the RDLGF commitment of $250,000 is more then NYS 250th Commission has offered to both Suffolk $125,000 and Nassau $115,000
__________________________________________________________________________________

Hart Family Fund for Small Towns: Guidelines & Eligibility - Link

Grants from the Hart Family Fund for Small Towns are intended to encourage preservation at the local level by providing seed money for preservation projects in small towns with populations of 10,000 or less. These grants help stimulate public discussion, enable local groups to gain the technical expertise needed for particular projects, introduce the public to preservation concepts and techniques, and encourage financial participation by the private sector. Grants from the Hart Family Fund for Small Towns generally range from $2,500 to $15,000. The selection process is very competitive.


___________________________________________________________________________________

Museums for America Funding Opportunity - please read the Announcement.

___________________________________________________________________________________

The New York State African American Heritage Grant Program (NYSAAH) provides grants to assist nonprofit organizations and local governments in documenting, interpreting, and preserving places and stories of historical and cultural importance to the African American experience in New York. The program is administered by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation's Division for Historic Preservation, in partnership with the New York State Commission on African American History and the New York State Department of State

Funding for this program comes from a New York State appropriation to the Commission to support and promote a greater understanding of the history and achievements of African Americans and people of African descent throughout the State. 

NYS African American Heritage Grant Program

Marketing Materials - Members Only

Email the Coordinator, Kristin MacKay, for the files or to place an order. Kristin.MacKay@SuffolkCountyNY.gov

This is an 11X17 poster

This is an 11X17 poster

This is an Instagram or Facebook post.

This is a 4X6 postcard

Community organizations registered with the committee may use the LI 250 logo to brand their 250-related events.

Follow, share and hashtag.

#Suffolk250

#LI250 #America250

#RevolutionaryWar


Educator Links


The Contest

What does America mean to you?

Today’s young people are the leaders, innovators, and thinkers who will shape the next 250 years — and it’s important their voices are heard as we commemorate this historic milestone. Learn More on the America 250 website.


Deadline:  Monday, March 30, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. PT/8:00 p.m. ET. 






Promote Your Events on Facebook

Do you have 250th or historical events coming up that you would like to promote? In addition to the adding it to the master calendar, you can use the Long Island 250 Facebook Group to post your content. Join the group using the link below and post your content. Note that all posts require moderator approval, so it may not appear instantly.

Attend Planning Meetings


Registered members are invited to attend the Suffolk County 250th Anniversary Planning Meetings. These meetings are held monthly, on the 2nd Wednesday of each month, from 11 am - 12 noon, at the H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge. Remote access to the meetings is also available for those who can't attend in person. Register your organization to be added to the meeting calendar.


Upcoming Meeting:

Wednesday, May 13, 2026

This meeting will be In Person in Media Room 184. We will also have a TEAMS option.


Meeting Notes

April 8, 2026

March 11, 2026

February 11, 2026

November Meeting - no notes/field trip

October 8, 2025

September 10, 2025

August 13, 2025

July 9, 2025

June 11, 2025

May 14, 2025

April 9, 2025

March 13, 2025


Celebration Subcommittee Meeting

Meets at 10:00 am on the 2nd Wednesday of the Month

Marketing Subcommittee

Meets at 12:00 noon on the 2nd Wednesday of the Month
Culinary Subcommittee

Meets at 12:00 pm on the 2nd Wednesday of the Month


Link to the NYS 250 Commemorative Commission - Here

REGISTER YOUR GROUP today.


We invite every town, village, hamlet, historical society, civic group, school, library, and neighborhood organization across Suffolk County to take part in the planning and celebration. Whether through parades, public art, festivals, lectures, reenactments, storytelling, or community service projects, we want every corner of our county to reflect the spirit of 1776 and showcase our diverse contributions to the American story.


Email Kristin.MacKay@SuffolkCountyNY.gov for more information.


View the Suffolk County 250th Kick Off Ceremony

Access Photos from Suffolk's 250th Kickoff Ceremony

Historical Information from America's Bicentennial


Beverly C. Tyler, the Three Village Historical Society Historian,  was kind enough to share some planning information and documents from Suffolk's Bicentennial celebrations. View the Historical Timeline and Book of County and Town Seals.

Terms and conditions • Privacy policy

© 2025 Suffolk County, NY All rights reserved.