Tri-hamlet day celebration returns

On Saturday June 5 the annual Tri-Hamlet Day celebration was held on the grounds of the William Floyd Manor. 

Of the four New Yorkers who signed the Declaration of Independence Floyd’s is the only one still standing and open to the public. 

“We live in one of the most rich history communities on Long Island,” said Bob Vecchio, school board president at the William Floyd School District. “When you think about the sacrifice that William Floyd made by putting his name on a piece of paper for an idea and an ideal. He risked everything. He risked his life.”

Last year, Tri-Hamlet Day was unable to be held due to pandemic restrictions. This year's event was a very early celebration of “America 250” which will be the United States’ semiquincentennial birthday on July 4, 2026. 

During the Revolutionary War, Floyd was forced to flee his home as it became occupied by British forces. 

“We stand here today in memory of what happened in the past because when we pay our respects to the past we remind people that while it’s in the past it’s current with us today,” said Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine. “The ideals that William Floyd fought for are with us to this day and as long as we have that spirit we will be Americans.”

“I respect what he’s done for our history. I respect what he’s done for our community and I respect the ideals that he was prepared to sacrifice for; that we all should be as Americans prepared to sacrifice for.”

This year the 25-room “Old Mastic House” is closed to the public as the park completes conservation treatment of museum artifacts and prepares for and starts repair of the main roof. The grounds of the manor are open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. until October 11 and include 613 acres of forest, field marshes and trails, and the Floyd family cemetery. In addition, the National Park Service created a self-directed trail that explores the history of the estate. The app is called the NPS Mobile App and is available in Apple and Google Play stores.