James Lane will be hopping on Saturday, with the East Hampton Historical Society’s Semiquincentennial History Festival at the Mulford Farm and a street fair organized by the Greater East Hampton Chamber of Commerce, both from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The history festival will include the 3rd New York Regiment’s Revolutionary-era re-enactments, demonstrations of traditional crafts and trades, live music, and a Stump the Historian booth with Hugh King, the town and village historian. Mike Smith of the Shinnecock Nation will show a short film and talk about Indigenous history here. There will also be metalworking demonstrations by James DeMartis and a scrimshaw presentation by Peter Spacek. Janice Badkin will be making candles with the bayberries plentiful across the East End, and Fen Youmans, a Mulford family descendant, will be weaving and spinning just as people did here centuries ago.
The historical society notes that the Mulford Farm is an especially fitting backdrop for the festival, having recently undergone “a comprehensive restoration to depict its appearance during the American Revolution,” enabling “visitors to gain a deeper understanding of daily life in East Hampton during the American Revolution, including the essential role enslaved people of color played in sustaining the household during the British occupation.”
Out on James Lane, local businesses will set up booths and there will be food trucks, beer and wine, and activities for families.
