Wading River Historical Society and Museum has been the keeper of the small village’s history for over 75 years. Formed in 1947, the Society had its beginnings at a meeting in the Wading River Congregational Church on January 5 of that year, where it was formally established and its constitution adopted. In the early 1950s, the Society negotiated to acquire the home of Mary Raynor Howell for the purpose of housing the Society. The deed to the property was presented on July 11, 1952. Believed to have been built in about 1826, the house was owned by Frederick Hudson, Zophar Mills, Gabriel Mills, and other families, until in 1864 it was deeded by Ebenezer Jones to Daniel B. Howell. It then became the home of Chauncey and Mary Raynor Howell.
The Society maintains the History House Museum, which features local artifacts, farm tools, vintage clothing, historical documents, and books on local history and genealogy, and it hosts visits of school children and individuals by appointment.
The Society maintains the History House Museum, which features local artifacts, farm tools, vintage clothing, historical documents, and books on local history and genealogy, and it hosts visits of school children and individuals by appointment.
This year we'll wish a Happy 250th Birthday to the USA! And Happy 200th Birthday to our own History House!
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The Historical Society has begun to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution and the Declaration of Independence.
On Saturday, July 26, 2025 the Society held a Colonial History Day, with re-enactors depicting a Revolutionary War Patriot, a British Loyalist, two colonial musicians, and a food historian. We're making plans for some new events to celebrate our country's birthday, and also the 200th birthday of the History House! Join with us by following us on our Facebook page or check back here for the latest updates. You can also see what's happening throughout Suffolk County by visiting www.Suffolk250.org You can purchase a passport book that's fun to use as you visit Suffolk's historic sites. We're in it, too! Buy it online or from us at our upcoming events. |
Wading River and Shoreham History In Pictures
A volume of photographs of historic Wading River and Shoreham has been written by Jane Alcorn, Wading River Historical Society president, and Mary Ann (Mimi) Oberdorf, former Shoreham Village historian. Comprised mainly of photographic postcard images, is available at local stores (ACE Hardware, Forte's Florist, Shoreham Drug), through Amazon.com, and at some Barnes & Noble stores.
"Wading River, settled by New Englanders in 1671, is reminiscent of a classic New England town with its steepled Congregational Church, village green, ancient cemetery, horse farms, and colonial homes. Shoreham, settled at the turn of the last century, went high-tech with the arrival of brilliant inventor Nikola Tesla and his famous tower and laboratory, and highbrow as an eastern outpost of the Gold Coast. The two communities are linked by geography and shared traditions, such as a railroad line (sadly abandoned in 1938), a beautiful beach for summer fun, summer camps galore, an equestrian tradition, and glorious tennis--an unbroken rivalry since 1924. Shoreham and Wading River is an illustrated tale of two good neighbors vividly told through the magic of historic postcards from the Shoreham Village historical archives, the Wading River and Suffolk County Historical Societies, and private collections."
"Wading River, settled by New Englanders in 1671, is reminiscent of a classic New England town with its steepled Congregational Church, village green, ancient cemetery, horse farms, and colonial homes. Shoreham, settled at the turn of the last century, went high-tech with the arrival of brilliant inventor Nikola Tesla and his famous tower and laboratory, and highbrow as an eastern outpost of the Gold Coast. The two communities are linked by geography and shared traditions, such as a railroad line (sadly abandoned in 1938), a beautiful beach for summer fun, summer camps galore, an equestrian tradition, and glorious tennis--an unbroken rivalry since 1924. Shoreham and Wading River is an illustrated tale of two good neighbors vividly told through the magic of historic postcards from the Shoreham Village historical archives, the Wading River and Suffolk County Historical Societies, and private collections."
Ms. Alcorn and Ms. Oberdorf are interested in obtaining additional historic documents and photographs for inclusion in a possible second volume. If you have items to share or lend, please contact them through the address on this site or by email to [email protected] Books are available in Shoreham and Wading River at local businesses (Forte's Florist, Shoreham Drugs, etc.)
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It's time to pay your dues for the 2026 year!
Regular members $20 Couple $35 Family (three or more related people in one household) $50 Business $100 Please send your check to the address below. Interested in becoming more involved? Want to volunteer at some of our events? Contact us! |
Coming Events
The Wading River Historical Society and Museum holds its meetings on the third Thursday of the month during April, May, June, and September. All meetings start at 7 PM and the public is invited to attend. Next meeting will be held: Thursday, April 16 Brookhaven Town Historian Barbara Russell will entertain and educate us on a topic of local history. Mpore information to come soon! Below, the sloop Olive Leaf at low tide at the beach in Wading River, being loaded with cordwood from carts pulled by horses to be brought west to New York City to heat buildings there, or to Haverstraw, on the Hudson, to be used to fuel the kilns where bricks were made. Bricks were sometimes brought back to Wading River after being used as ballast in the sloops. 
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Post Office Box 263
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