When you’re looking for a vacation with the family, sometimes just the thought of crazy roller coasters, overpriced food, and endless lines is enough to make you stay at home. But, a trip with the family really can be a time to slow down and enjoy a little bit of history. That’s what I found when I visited 2 historical sites on Long Island.
When you enter Stony Brook Grist Mill in Long Island, New York, it’s like stepping back in time to the 1800s. The smell of wood engulfs you, as you see the time and effort it took to chop the trees by hand and erect this important building. In colonial America, the mill served as a community hub or over 200 years. During the Revolutionary War, British Troops took grain from the miller to feed their troops stationed in Stony Brook and Setauket. Farmers gathered there to have their grain ground into flour, exchange local news, and transact business. We walked around the mill with our fantastic tour guide, Richard Badalament. His knowledge of the history of the mill, the grain grinding process, the construction of this beautiful building, and the humor he injected into the tour makes this a must-see for any family in the area.
On your history break, I also recommend The Long Island Maritime Museum. The nine historic buildings on this 14-acre property allow you to imagine yourself being rescued from a ship-wreck, culling oysters, or living in a cottage in the 1800s. Guests can follow a timeline of the true stories of 18th and 19th century storms, shipwrecks, pirates, and the US Life Saving Service in the Wrecks, Wretched, & Rescuers exhibit. In the Small Craft Building, children can see more than 30 sail and power boats, including a 2-person sailboat for young brothers and many iconic boats designed by Gil Smith and Wilbur Ketcham. In Bayman’s Cottage, children can see what the living quarters would have been like during the late 1800s. This home has 2 bedrooms for a family of 10! Also included on-site is the 1888 Oyster Sloop Priscilla, an oyster culling house, sailing vessel replicas, and a maritime library.
When life at home is go-go-go, it’s nice to have a break in the action to remember how people lived long ago. Make sure to include these historical experiences on your next visit to Long Island. For more information on all the great things to do in Log Island, visit https://www.discoverlongisland.com/.
I was hosted at these venues and received complimentary accommodations for the purpose of this honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
