Since its founding in 1921, the East Hampton Historical Society has gathered a collection of nearly 20,000 artifacts. Dating from the 17th through the 21st centuries, the collection features decorative and fine arts, tools, equipment, clothing, and household furnishings, which are divided into four collection categories: archaeological, archival, historic artifact, and fine arts. Currently, only a portion of the collection is accessible in the online database, but the number of records digitally available is increasing every month.

The collection offers especially useful resources for researchers interested in objects made and used by early Montaukett Indians, the development of Eastern Long Island's farming and fishing industries, the history of American artisanship, and the East End's summer and artists' colonies. Highlights of the collection include an incredible number of Dominy-made clocks and furniture as well as a wide variety of furniture, clothing, accessories, and household objects belonging to the Gardiner family, the proprietors of Gardiner's Island.

Our current collecting practices focus on objects with direct provenance to East Hampton and particularly the historic sites and museums we preserve and interpret. We are especially interested in collecting objects related to people, cultures, or histories in East Hampton that have been typically overlooked.

For research and general inquiries, please complete the form below and email it to info@easthamptonhistory.org, with the subject line "Collections Research." Please allow for at least 3 business days for a response.