The Mission of the Sag Harbor Historical Society (SHHS) is to promote and encourage public education and appreciation of Sag Harbor history; and to work for the preservation of historic buildings and sites; and to foster the preservation of the historic character of the village.
The Sag Harbor Historical Society was established in 1985 and incorporated in 1989. The Society's headquarters are located in the Annie Cooper Boyd House on Main Street in Sag Harbor. The house dates back to the 18th century and was thought to be the house in which David Frothingham first published the Long Island Herald, Long Island's first newspaper, in the 1790's. Today, research has proven this untrue, and it is likely that Frothingham ran his business from a building located across the street form the Annie Cooper Boyd House. The house is currently undergoing restoration and donations are welcome.
The Port of Sag Harbor was founded in 1707, and is located on the south fork of Long Island, New York about 100 miles east of Manhattan. By the time the Revolutionary War began, Sag Harbor had built up a thriving coastal and foreign trade. In 1789, when George Washington approved the creation of Sag Harbor as a Port of Entry for the newly formed United States, the village had more square rigged vessels engaged in commerce than the Port of New York.
A unique and interesting village, Sag Harbor has the distinction of having had the first custom house in the U.S., the first volunteer fire company in the state of New York, and the first newspaper printed on Long Island.
The lower part of the business district, thrice destroyed by fire, rose from the ashes each time, grew and prospered through a spectacular whaling industry, a period of industrial growth, and finally as a place where the population swells each summer with an ever increasing influx of visitors and a bay filled with pleasure craft.
Through all of its 293 years, Sag Harbor has retained its special history, beauty, and individuality.
The Sag Harbor Historical Society was established in 1985 and incorporated in 1989.
The Society's headquarters are located in the Annie Cooper Boyd House on Main Street in Sag Harbor. The house dates back to the 18th century and was thought to be the house in which David Frothingham first published the Long Island Herald, Long Island's first newspaper, in the 1790's. Today, research has proven this untrue, and it is likely that Frothingham ran his business from a building located across the street form the Annie Cooper Boyd House.
