Shelter Island History Museum

Shelter Island History Museum is a local history museum and research center at 16 South Ferry Road on Shelter Island. The museum preserves and interprets the island’s history through exhibitions, archival collections, educational programs, performances, historic artifacts, photographs, maps, documents, and the preserved Havens House.

The institution traces its roots to the Shelter Island Historical Society, first organized in 1922 and re-established in 1966. In December 2024, its charter was amended to formally change the organization’s name to the Shelter Island History Museum, reflecting its evolution from a traditional historical society into a full local-history museum.

Havens House

At the heart of the museum property is Havens House, one of Shelter Island’s most important surviving historic homes. The house is associated with the Havens family, one of the island’s prominent early families, and has served many purposes over the centuries, including as a residence, store, tavern, school, post office, and meeting place.

Captain James Havens and his wife Elizabeth lived at the property in the 18th century, raising a large family there. James Havens was active during the Revolutionary period and represented Suffolk County in the New York Provincial Congress. The house later became the focal point of the historical society’s museum operations.

Museum Exhibits

The museum presents changing exhibitions focused on the people, places, events, and everyday life that shaped Shelter Island. Displays may explore subjects such as the island’s early settlement, Revolutionary War era, maritime history, local families, historic homes, and community traditions.

Exhibits are updated periodically, and the museum also incorporates interactive and educational elements designed to make Shelter Island history accessible to residents, students, researchers, and visitors. In 2026, programming included an exhibit centered on Havens House and Shelter Island during the American Revolution.

Archives and Research Collections

The Shelter Island History Museum also functions as an important historical archive. Its collections include more than 100,000 maps, deeds, diaries, letters, photographs, and other historical documents, along with artwork, furniture, tools, textiles, vehicles, and household objects dating from the 17th century through the present day.

Researchers can make appointments to study property histories, family records, historic photographs, local businesses, architecture, and other aspects of Shelter Island history. The museum also maintains materials connected to local house research and genealogy, making it especially useful for residents and property owners interested in the history of individual homes or families.

Digital Collections

Selected materials from the museum’s archives have also been digitized and made available through regional historical collections. These include James Havens ledgers from the 18th century, Shelter Island Presbyterian Church records, historic daybooks, ship logs, and journals.

Programs and Community Events

The museum serves as more than a repository of historic objects. It also hosts educational programs, children’s activities, performances, exhibitions, lectures, community events, and seasonal programs throughout the year.

Programming has included historic house tours, children’s theater, living-history projects, exhibitions, educational workshops, and community gatherings. The property also hosts the Havens Farmers’ Market during part of the summer season.

Visiting the Museum

The Shelter Island History Museum is located on South Ferry Road, making it convenient for visitors arriving from either end of the island. Summer hours currently listed by the museum are Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Hours can change seasonally, so visitors should confirm current schedules before traveling.

The museum’s main floor and lower level are ADA accessible. Service animals are welcome. Personal photography without flash is permitted in the galleries, although tripods, selfie sticks, and similar equipment are not allowed. Food and drinks are not permitted inside the museum.

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Shelter Island History Museum

Key Facts & Details

Official Name	Shelter Island History Museum
Former Name	Shelter Island Historical Society
Location	16 South Ferry Road, Shelter Island, NY 11964
County	Suffolk County
Institution Type	Local history museum, archive, and educational organization
Original Historical Society Founded	1922
Re-established	1966
Absolute Charter	1969
Name Changed to Shelter Island History Museum	December 2024
Historic Property	Havens House
Collections	More than 100,000 maps, deeds, diaries, letters, photographs, documents, and historic artifacts
Collection Period	17th through 21st centuries
Research Available	Property history, genealogy, family records, maps, photographs, deeds, diaries, and other Shelter Island topics by appointment
Programs	Exhibitions, lectures, educational programs, children’s theater, historic house tours, performances, and community events
Seasonal Feature	Havens Farmers’ Market
Accessibility	Main floor and lower level are ADA accessible
Photography	Personal photography without flash is permitted; tripods and selfie sticks are not allowed
Pets	Service animals only
Phone	(631) 749-0025
Official Website	shelterislandhistorical.org

The Shelter Island History Museum offers one of the most complete introductions to the history of Shelter Island, combining the preserved Havens House with extensive archives, changing exhibits, educational programs, and community events. For visitors interested in local history, historic homes, genealogy, or the island’s role in the broader history of Long Island, the museum provides both a public attraction and an important research resource.