FEATURED
Enduring Mystery: Great New York Fire of 1776
Thursday, February 16, 7pm
Noted historian Benjamin Carp will explore the Great New York Fire of 1776, a mystery of the American Revolution, in a lecture in the Vanderbilt Museum’s Reichert Planetarium. Carp’s book on the devastating fire – one of the great mysteries of our early nation – was published just last month by Yale University Press.

Carp’s presentation will draw heavily from his years of research and from his book, The Great New York Fire of 1776: A Lost Story of the American Revolution. In his book, Carp reconstructs the political climate of 18th-century North America and highlights the significance of New York City as a strategic center in the American War of Independence. He returns to the summer of 1776, when the rebel army under George Washington repeatedly threatened to burn New York City to the ground rather than see it fall under British control.

Under these circumstances and days into the British occupation of the city, a tremendous fire swept across Manhattan, destroying a fifth of its buildings and creating the conditions for riot and plunder. Was this devastating fire the result of an accident at a tavern? Or was it started under direct orders from the revolutionary commander? Carp’s important retelling of this seminal but largely forgotten event features some of the American Revolution’s most important figures, including Nathan Hale, an early patriot with special importance for Long Island, and another lesser-known spy who deserves equal adulation.

Click here to purchase tickets ($10 per person).

THIS WEEKEND
Kids Craft Series, Be My Valentine
Saturday, February 11, 1-3pm
Children of all ages are welcome to the Northport Historical Society’s first Kids Craft Series event. During this fun-filled afternoon, kids will learn about Valentine's Day while making something for their Valentine at three crafting stations: Create your own Victorian Valentine's Day card; yo-yo decorating (because love has its ups and downs); plus a hot chocolate taste testing station. All ages welcome, cost is $8 per person. Register here.

AT THE LIBRARY
Kat and Brad
Sunday, February 26, 2pm
Northport Public Library, 151 Laurel Avenue, Northport
See flier for info. Register here.

CLOSING
Sky Group Show
Through February 19
Haven Gallery, 50 Main Street, Northport
An exploration of the constellations and celestial bodies of the night sky, artists in the Sky Group Show were invited to use mythological and scientific approaches to visually interpret the characters, themes, stories, zodiac and heavenly bodies. Exhibiting artists include: Jennifer Healy, Erika Sanada, Linda Adair, Scott Radke, Stephanie Rew, Claudia Griesbach-Martucci, Paige Carpenter, Jeff Echevarria, Laura Krusemark, Nikolas Tower, Valery Vecu Quitard, Kate Domina. Also on view at the gallery, in solo exhibitions, is work from Jason Mowry, Nikolas Tower and Tina Yu.

UPCOMING