Community

Southold Historical celebrates its youth efforts with BBQ

The Southold Historical Society's youth education committee chairperson Peggy Murphy, Board of Trustees president Herb Adler, and volunteer Jill Wilson in front of the old schoolhouse. (Credit: Claire Leaden)
The Southold Historical Society’s youth education committee chairperson Peggy Murphy, Board of Trustees president Herb Adler, and volunteer Jill Wilson in front of the old schoolhouse. (Credit: Claire Leaden)

Last week, the Southold Historical Society hosted an evening barbecue on its grounds to recognize the volunteer work of the members who’ve been helping the organization with its efforts to educate area youth about local history.

Peggy Murphy, who chairs the Society’s youth education committee, said volunteers mainly help out with “Step Back in History Week” at Southold Elementary School.

Through the program, kindergartners through sixth-graders enjoy lessons about Southold’s history and get to take home a craft. For instance, kindergartners look at the society’s antique doll collection and make their own dolls to bring home; third-graders spend time in the old printing shop and practice writing with quill pens; and sixth-graders spend their day at Horton Point Lighthouse.

“It’s good to have kids at the lighthouse,” said volunteer and Horton Point Lighthouse co-chairperson Jill Wilson. “The lighthouse is an important part of the town’s history and it’s great to involve them in that.”

“Step Back in History Week” typically takes place in October.

Its volunteers, most of them historical society members, offer their time to inform students about local history.

In addition, Ms. Murphy said Mattituck and Greenport students visit Southold for spring presentations, which volunteers also assist with.