Founders Day Connects Fourth Graders to Brookhaven History

Nearly 400 fourth-grade students stepped out of the classroom and into history this spring as part of the Three Village Historical Society & Museum's annual Founders Day program, a longstanding partnership with the Three Village Central School District that has connected generations of young people with the story of their community.

Students gathered at Setauket Elementary. Photo by Rob Pellegrino

Held on April 21 and 22, this year's program welcomed 386 students and 37 teachers and teaching assistants from across the district. Through immersive experiences, historic sites, and direct engagement with local historians and volunteers, students explored the founding of the Town of Brookhaven and discovered how ordinary people have shaped the Three Village community since 1655.

For more than twenty years, Founders Day has provided every fourth-grade student in the district with the opportunity to experience local history where it happened - at no cost to schools or families. The program reflects the Society's commitment to ensuring that community history remains accessible, relevant, and meaningful for future generations.

Students visiting Setauket Presbyterian Graveyard with volunteer docent. Photo by Rob Pellegrino

Bev Tyler, Historian at the Setauket Post Office. Photo by Rob Pellegrino

Students visiting the Setauket Village Green with volunteer docents. Photo by Rob Pellegrino

The experience began at Setauket Elementary School, where students examined the celebrated Vance Locke murals depicting the region's history, from the Setalcott people who first stewarded these lands to the settlers, industries, and institutions that helped shape Brookhaven over the centuries. The murals served as a visual introduction to the themes of community, responsibility, and civic engagement that define the program.

Students outside of Setauket School with volunteer docents. Photo by Rob Pellegrino

Students at the Setauket Village Green with volunteer docents. Photo by Rob Pellegrino

Students at Frank Melville Memorial Park with volunteer docents. Photo by Rob Pellegrino

Students then joined volunteer guides for a walking tour of the Original Settlement of the Town of Brookhaven, visiting historic landmarks and learning how local churches, schools, public spaces, and community organizations contributed to the development of one of Long Island's earliest settlements. Along the route, community partners shared stories that helped students connect classroom lessons with the places they encounter every day.

Junior Tour Guide Badge

At the conclusion of the program, each student received a Junior Tour Guide badge, encouraging them to share their newfound knowledge with family and friends and inspiring them to become ambassadors for local history. A post-visit scavenger hunt extended learning beyond the program itself, inviting students to revisit sites and engage more deeply with the stories that define their hometown.

Founders Day's success is made possible through the dedication of community volunteers and partners. This year, 26 volunteer guides donated their time and expertise to help students experience history firsthand.

The Three Village Historical Society extends its gratitude to its many partners, including Caroline Episcopal Church, Emma S. Clark Memorial Library, Frank Melville Memorial Park, Setalcott Indian Nation, Setauket Presbyterian Church, Setauket Neighborhood House Association, Setauket Post Office, Setauket Elementary School and the Three Village Central School District, the Town of Brookhaven Historian's Office, Brookhaven Town Council District 1, and the Three Village Community Trust.

As the nation commemorates the 250th anniversary of the United States, programs like Founders Day demonstrate the vital role local history organizations play in education and civic life. By connecting young people to the people, places, and stories that shaped their community, the Three Village Historical Society is helping cultivate informed, engaged citizens and preserving our shared heritage for generations to come.

Patriots Rock in Setauket. Photo by Kimberly Phyfe

Thank you to the TVHS Education committee and the dedicated volunteers who make this event possible:

• Lindsey Steward-Goldberd, Education Coordinator

• Amani Khan

• Ann Healy

• Art Billadello

• Barbara Russell

• Barbara Tyler

• Bev Tyler

• Brandi Feldmann

• Brian Bennett

• Chris Ryon

• Clementine Tousey Kolodzinski

• Diane Santangelo

• Donna Bennett

• Donna Smith

• Ed McNamara

• Grace Leyhane

• Joan Cook

• Jonathan Kornreich

• Judi Wallace

• Katherine Downs-Reuter

• Kaya Zarcone

• Linda Sanders

• Mort Rosen

• Nikkeya Bell

• Pat Galaskas

• Rob von Bernewitz

• Steve Healy

• Virginia Ehlers