The 10 Best Museums in Southampton, New York (NY)

Thomas Halsey was one of founders of Southampton in 1640. He purchased this homestead in 1648 to start a farm and raise a family. The Halsey House was built by his son Thomas Halsey, Jr. in 1683. It was a simple two story, two room cabin which can be identified on the exterior by the diamond pattern windows. A two room extension was add in 1730. This historic house museum is open to the public on Saturdays from July to mid-October between 11:00 am and 4:00 pm. It features historic furnishings reflecting a colonial farm family in 1750 and an exhibit on the Shinnecock Tribe with a recreated Woodland Period Village c. 1,000 CE with hands-on activities for children.

Inspired by the natural setting and artistic life of Long Island's East End, the Parrish Art Museum illuminates the creative process and how art and artists transform our experiences and understanding of the world and how we live in it. The Museum fosters connections among individuals, art, and artists through care and interpretation of the collection, the presentation of exhibitions, publications, educational initiatives, programs, and artists-in-residence. The Parrish is a center for cultural engagement, an inspiration and destination for the region, the nation, and the world.

The Southampton History Museum was organized in 1898 and incorporated in 1910. In its early days, the Museum collected and exhibited historical objects and documents relating to the history and development of Southampton, organized pageants and gave lectures on antiques. By 1960 the Rogers Mansion property had expanded to include 12 historic structures including an 1830 one-room schoolhouse, an 1825 barn and a 19th century paint store, among others. The Mansion is the main administrative center for the organization and is open year-round. Today the Museum's mission is to preserve and promote the history and culture of the Town of Southampton by engaging and inspiring diverse audiences. It does this through the management of 4 separate properties with 14 historic buildings that contain changing exhibits on historic topics, a research center and educational programs for schoolchildren and adults.

Small museum just west of Southampton Village run by the Shinnnecock Nation, a Federally recognized tribe, on its Reservation. The main building is a log structure filled with Native American artifacts and exhibits about the Shinnecock culture and Woodlland Indian culture. It just opened a Living History village next to it depicting what life was like for Woodland Indians in the 1700's. Tribal members in period correct garb and demonstrate what Native American life was like before European settlement.

Pelletreau Silver Shop A Property of the Southampton Historical Museum Open Year-round: Tuesday through Saturday, 11:00 a.M. To 4:00 p.M. Free admission The shop was built in 1686 and is "the oldest continuously opened shop in the Americas." Master Jeweler Eric Messin gives tours of the building and leads workshops in jewelry making for beginners and advanced.

Southampton Cultural Center (SCC), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, combines art, education, dance, music and theatre to engage and nourish the entire community with the arts. Established in 1985, SCC serves all East End residents and visitors by providing a variety of programming including classes, art exhibition and live performances for children and adults at affordable prices. A bequest by the late Willard Levitas and his wife Aura allowed a renovation and expansion that led to the 2006 opening of SCC’s lauded performance space the Levitas Center for the Arts.

Located in the heart of the Hamptons, Raison D'etre strives to exhibit meaningful and compelling works from artists around the globe.

Founded in 1992 by avant-garde visionary and theater director Robert Wilson, The Watermill Center is an interdisciplinary laboratory for the arts and humanities situated on ten acres of Shinnecock ancestral territory on Long Island's East End. The Center is unique within the global landscape of experimental artistic practice across disciplines to do, in Wilson's words, "what no one else is doing."

Behind the Fence Gallery is a family owned and operated business since 1996. We have over 10,000 square feet of property for customers to explore! We love seeing people stop in and say hello! We have the honor of making exclusive one of a kind statues for clients including Disney and Capital One to name a few. This is a one of kind experience and stop found no where else, a true must do!