East Hampton's Jazz Age On Display At The Historical Society

The new exhibit at the East Hampton Historical Society “Jazz Age East Hampton (1919-1933)” offers a glimpse into a colorful but not unfamiliar period of town history.

In keeping with the show’s tag line— Clothes, Clubs and Contraband— the exhibit features a display of 1920s era “flapper dresses”, as well as photographs illustrating how Montauk, the docks, people and even Estate gardens looked at the time.

“It’s about the high life and the low life too,” said Liz Neill, assistant to the Historical Society’s director, “It really is a fantastic exhibit.” 

Included artifacts show both sides of the spectrum, from a 70 year old contraband bottle of liquor to a rustic croquet set.

“The show features a mix of everyday life and high society,” she said, “just like you see in the Hamptons today.”

All objects on display come from the Society’s collection, the collections of the Montauk and East Hampton Library’s and some have even been donated for use by local families.

The show, which went up on Friday July 26, will remain on display through October 13. The exhibit is open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sundays from 12 to 5 p.m. A special tour will be lead by Neill on Saturday August 17 at 10 a.m.

The exhibit is housed at the Clinton Academy Museum at 151 Main Street. Call the Historical Society for more details at 324-6850.