Step back in time and explore the remarkable story of the Halsey family, one of Southampton’s founding families. This tour shines a spotlight on Thomas Halsey Sr., who arrived from England in 1640 with his wife and four children to help establish the new settlement.
By 1648, when the settlers moved half a mile east from Old Town, Thomas built the family home on what is now Main Street. Like many Colonial households, the Halsey home was a hive of activity—where every family member, even the youngest children, played a vital role in daily survival. The kitchen, still furnished with original tools like a washtub, candle molds, spinning wheel, and loom, offers a glimpse into the relentless work and resourcefulness that defined early American life.
When Thomas Sr. passed away in 1678, the home passed to his eldest son, Thomas Jr., who constructed a new house on the site around 1683. Restoration efforts have uncovered evidence suggesting that the original home was largely destroyed by fire, making the current house not only a family legacy but also a testament to resilience and renewal.
Come learn how the Halseys helped shape Southampton’s earliest days and discover the rhythms of colonial life in a home that stood on the edge of the wilderness.
The tour is guided by Mary Cummings, author and archivist at the Southampton History Museum.
Space is limited. RSVP is encouraged.
