From Brooklyn To Montauk, LI's Summerlong History Hunt Returns With 'Special Twist,' Cash Prizes

OYSTER BAY, NY — History buffs are invited to a summerlong adventure. The Long Island History Hunt will be turning historic sites from Brooklyn to Montauk into selfie-worthy destinations packed with Revolutionary War stories, hidden gems, and prize opportunities.

This year's expanded event will run from May 23 through September 30. It will feature 26 museums, landmarks, monuments, colonial taverns, parks, and historic homes, all connected to Long Island's role in the American Revolution. Participants can register online, travel from site to site, snap selfies at designated locations, and upload them to complete challenges.

"This year's 'hunt' has a special twist, turning the American Revolution into an epic adventure, where participants can visit sites from Brooklyn all the way out to Montauk, to see where history was made," Supervisor Joseph Saladino said.

Town officials joined leaders from Raynham Hall Museum and the Oyster Bay-East Norwich Chamber of Commerce to announce the event, as part of celebrations surrounding the nation's upcoming 250th anniversary.

This year's adventure, sponsored by the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation, includes more than twice as many locations as last year's – and more ways to win.

There will be three prize levels, and for those who complete a challenge at one or more sites, they are automatically eligible to win a prize. For folks who complete a challenge at 10 or more locations, they have a chance to win a $250 cash prize.

For the history buffs who complete all 26 selfie challenges, they will earn the title 'revolutionary Trailblazer,' and be entered into the drawing for the grand prize of $1,776, merch, and invited to a special ceremony this fall.

Participants can register online and then begin the hunt by visiting a designated museum, landmark, monument, historic home, park, colonial tavern, and more, and then take a selfie and upload it for a chance to win a prize.

"As we celebrate the nation's 250th anniversary, this initiative is especially important in connecting Long Islanders to their heritage and exploring lesser-known stories often overlooked in textbooks," Executive Director of the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation Kathryn M. Curran said.

More information on this year's adventure can be found online or by emailing longislandhistoryhunt@gmail.com.