Inside a Revolutionary Night at Raynham Hall Museum, Oyster Bay
I spent last night at the home of one of George Washington's spies — and there wasn't an empty seat in the house. Raynham Hall Museum in Oyster Bay, New York was the setting for the latest stop on the Revolutionary Road Trip book tour, and it's hard to imagine a more fitting one. This wasn't just a historic backdrop for the evening — Raynham Hall was the actual home of Robert Townsend, who operated under the alias "Samuel Culper, Jr." as one of the key agents in George Washington's Culper Spy Ring. Sharing the hidden stories behind America's founding inside the very walls where some of that intelligence-gathering happened made for an especially meaningful night.
Darley Newman brought Revolutionary Road Trip to Raynham Hall Museum in Oyster Bay, NY — the historic home of Culper Spy Ring member Robert Townsend. See highlights from a full house with Justinne Lake-Jedzinak, Gold Coast Forum, and Theodore's Books.
The Conversation: Darley Newman and Justinne Lake-Jedzinak
For the evening's discussion, I sat down with Justinne Lake-Jedzinak, PhD, Raynham Hall Museum's Director of Education & Public Programs, to dig into the hidden stories behind Revolutionary Road Trip — and behind Raynham Hall itself. Justinne's work at the museum focuses on surfacing exactly the kind of lesser-known histories the book chases: the everyday people, the overlooked details, and the stories that even lifelong history buffs haven't heard before. Talking through the book's founding-era stories inside a home with its own direct ties to Washington's intelligence network made for a conversation as layered as the history itself.
A Night for Long Island History Lovers
It was wonderful to see so many history lovers pack the room, including Long Island History Hunt winner Ray Larsen, who joined the crowd for the evening. Thank you to everyone who came out to learn, ask thoughtful questions, and celebrate our nation's history together.
This event wouldn't have happened without Justinne Lake-Jedzinak, the staff and volunteers at Raynham Hall Museum, Gold Coast Forum, Theodore's Books, and the wider Long Island community, all of whom made for such a warm welcome.
Get Your Signed Copy
Missed the event? You can still pick up a signed copy of Revolutionary Road Trip: Hidden Stories of America's Founding Journey at Theodore's Books in Oyster Bay.
More Revolutionary Road Trip Stops Ahead
Raynham Hall is just one stop on the Revolutionary Road Trip book tour. Follow along for the next city, the next hidden history, and the next full house. Sign up for the Where to Next with Darley newsletter for tour dates, travel tips, and new episodes.
