Here Ye ! Here Ye! Let Smithtown's 350th Anniversary Celebration Begin

Logo created by Smithtown HSE Graduate Sabrina ShankarLiving history. March kicks off Smithtown’s 350th Anniversary celebration and you are invited to join in the merrymaking. Last year Supervisor Vecchio charged Town Historian Brad Harris with the task of preparing a celebration worthy of Smithtown’s Sesquarcentennial (350th Anniversary). And so he has!

In 2014 the Smithtown 350 Foundation was formed and planning began on a year-long birthday/anniversary celebration.

Town Supervisor Patrick Vecchio preparing for March 3, Town Board meeting350 years in existence means there is a lot of history to celebrate.The hope, according to Harris, is that residents will learn a little about the Town’s rich history and its growth. But, don’t think it is going to be boring because the committee not only wants residents to participate in the events they want everyone to have some fun as they become a part of Smithtown’s future history.  

Is Smithtown history repeating itself? Somewhat - most people know about the legend of Bull Smythe, the founder of Smithtown.  “Tradition says that he (Richard Smythe) purchased of the Indians as much land as he could ride around on a bull in a day, and, having a trained bull which he used as a horse, he started early, reached the valley between Smithtown and Huntington at noon, rested and took his lunch (thereby giving the valley the name of Bread and Cheese Hollow which it still retains), and completed the whole circuit of the township by nightfall – much to the astonishment of the natives.” Smithtown Historian Bradley Harris.

On Sunday, March 1, 2015 Smithtown residents will reenact the legend of RichardCouncilmen Creighton and Wehrheim Smythe 2015 style. Sunday morning, beginning at Town Hall at 6am participants will begin an Olympic style relay called the Bull Smythe Relay throughout the Town. Participants will carry a copy of the original 1665 patent. At the end of the 9 hour Bull Smythe relay the patent will be presented to Town Officials at Town Hall. A copy of the relay route and a list of sponsors for the relay can be found at Smithtown350foundation.org. Each mile sponsor contributed $250 to help fund Sesquarcentennial events.  The public is invited to cheer on the participants as they run/walk the Bull Smythe relay route.

1965 Time CapsuleTuesday, March 3, 2015 at 7pm the Smithtown Town Board will hold a historical meeting wearing historical garb and will read the Town’s patent. The reading  will be followed by the opening  of a time capsule that had been buried on the grounds of Town Hall in 1965 as part of Smithtown’s 300th Anniversary celebration.  The capsule has not been opened and its contents are unknown. The Town Board meeting will be held at the Smithtown Center for the Performing Arts, 2 East Main Street, Smithtown.  There is limited seating. The theater can accommodate 300 people who will be seated on a first come first served basis.

Thursday, March 5, 2015 there will be a Birthday Gala at Flowerfield in St. James.  The Gala begins at 6:30pm and includes dinning and dancing and much merriment.  Tickets for the Gala are priced at $125 pp.  Proceeds will go to fund Sesquarcentennial events. 

Become a part of Smithtown history. Join in the celebration!

For a schedule of planned events go to Smithtown350foundation.org.