Raynham Hall Museum

Raynham Hall is a country residence built in 1738 in the colonial style and expanded in 1851 with Victorian additions. The rooms inside display both construction periods with original furnishings and period details from two distinct eras.

The house was built in 1738 by the Townsend family, one of the most influential merchant families on Long Island. During the Revolutionary War, it served as both a military outpost and the center of an American espionage operation.

The house reflects how wealthy merchants lived in Oyster Bay and their role in the early commercial networks of the colony.

You can explore the house with a guide or use the 1776AR app to tour it on your own. Plan plenty of time to see the rooms thoroughly and read through the exhibits.

A letter written by a British officer in 1779 to the home owner's daughter is considered one of the earliest Valentine's Day messages in America. This personal note from a time of war shows how people formed connections during those turbulent years.

Location: New York

GPS coordinates: 40.87228,-73.53162

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:56