A Sneak Peek Inside the Culper Spy Ring With the Long Island Collection

The East Hampton Library’s Long Island Collection’s next event in its series of drop-in, pop-up exhibits will be “A Sneak Peek Inside the Long Island Collection: The Culper Spy Ring.” The display will launch Thursday, July 18, from 4 to 7 p.m. and due to popular demand, will remain on view through Saturday, July 20.

The Culper Spy Ring aided George Washington’s Army during the American Revolution, sending messages from New York City to Long Island and then across Long Island Sound. Much of the early research on the spies was done by Morton Pennypacker, who founded the Long Island Collection. This network is the inspiration behind the popular TV series “TURN: Washington’s Spies” along with many other works.

For this drop-in pop-up exhibit, the community is invited to join the Long Island Collection’s librarians and see some of the papers, account books and other materials connected to the members of the spy ring. Holdings include account books from the members of the spy ring, records on the cross-sound wartime raids and even photos of buildings connected to some of the members.

The Long Island Collection’s “Sneak Peek” series of pop-up exhibits was designed to highlight items related to some of the most popular topics that people often ask about but may find overwhelming to sift through on their own. The series was designed to encourage people to come back and explore a little bit more, once they understand the range of materials contained in the Long Island Collection. The drop-in mini exhibits are on display in The Long Island Collection at the East Hampton Library on their Thursday launch date and remain on view through the Friday and Saturday that follow. The exhibit is free and sign-up is not required.

The upcoming events in the Long Island Collection Sneak Peek series are “Whaling” opening Thursday, September 19, from 4 to 7 p.m. and “Home Sweet Home” opening Thursday, December 5, 4 to 7p.m.

For more information, visit easthamptonlibrary.org or call 631-324-0222 ext. 4. East Hampton Library is at 159 Main Street in East Hampton.