Sylvester Manor / August — Film | History Tours | Concert | Summer Youth Programs | Wilderness Wanderings …

Join us to view the film, “Forgotten Founders: David Hempstead, Senior,” which was selected for the 2023 Hamptons International Film Festival. The film is a short-form documentary, highlighting the life of David Hempstead, Senior, on the East End of Long Island. The film traces his journey from slavery to freedom, from the time of his manumission in 1804 to his death in 1834.

The screening will be followed by a short Q & A with Donnamarie Barnes, Director of History & Heritage. Light refreshments will be served.

Wednesday, August 7
7:00pm – 8:30pm
Manor Grounds
Free to attend; RSVP requested

Dr. Stephen Mrozowski, founding director of the Andrew Fiske Memorial Center for Archaeological Research at the University of Massachusetts in Boston, will talk about new findings from a dig under the Manor House that connects to findings from the original dig done on the front Manor lawn. As part of our construction planning, we asked Dr. Steve and his crew to investigate an area that had never before been excavated. He’ll present their findings and explain how they may impact the work planned for the Manor House.  

Friday, August 16
5:00pm
Manor House
No charge, but pre-registration is required due to limited space

Creekside Concert: Louisiana Legends the Dirty Dozen Brass Band and Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas

We have sold close to 400 tickets to the Creekside Concert featuring the legendary Dirty Dozen Brass Band and Nathan & the Zydeco Cha-Chas. We anticipate that tickets will sell out for this concert soon, so we encourage everyone to purchase their tickets early.

Mardi Gras Mambo featuring
The Dirty Dozen Brass Band and Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas
Saturday, August 24
5-7:30pm
Manor Grounds
$50 per person; children under 12 are free

Summer Youth Program

Good news! We have added another week of O.W.L.S  (Outdoor Wilderness Living Skills) for the 8-10 year olds during the week of August 19. And, we still have a few spots open in Fig & Forest Culinary for 8-10 year olds. Our other programs are full, but you can always add your name to the wait list in case a spot opens up!

We received another generous grant to help fund scholarships for year-round local children. Please email youthprograms@sylvestermanor.org for more details on how to apply for a 50% discount on Summer Youth Programs.

Wilderness Wanderings

Do you need a date night out? Drop off your kid(s) at Sylvester Manor for an evening of Wilderness Wanderings! Focusing on a nature-based theme, kids will explore subjects that usually aren’t observed during daylight hours. Led by educators Julie Fanelli and Mark Mobius, the group will wander to a secret location on the grounds of Sylvester Manor, noticing and talking about the evening’s topic.

Kids will enjoy an activity, cook dinner (hot dogs/s’mores), read a story and observe the natural environment.

Thursday, August 8: Herptiles (Turtles, Frogs, Reptiles, Salamanders)
Tuesday, August 20: Sounds of Nature

6:00 – 8:30pm
Manor Grounds
5-8 years old
$100/child

Upcoming History & Heritage Tours

We are offering a variety of tours this year. Join a tour to learn about recent historical discoveries and new insights on the interpretation of our unique multicultural landscape, updates on our programs, and concepts for the future of the site-wide campus. Or, walk through history as you learn about the early history of Sylvester Manor and stories of the individuals from the three cultures that came together at the time of the establishment of Shelter Island in 1651.

August 15 & 29
Times and pricing vary based on date

Sculpture @ Sylvester Manor, an outdoor exhibition of sculptures, installations and artistic expressions is open to everyone. Curated by Tom Cugliani, the exhibition engages a diverse spectrum of artists local to the East End of Long Island. Explore the Manor Grounds this summer to see the exhibition at your own pace using our Sylvester Manor Walking Tour App or sign up for a guided tour.

Guided Tours
Sundays, August 11 & 25
Sunday, September 1
10:30am – 12:00pm
Manor Grounds
Free to Attend; Preregistration is Required

Roll-On Through Summertime

Join us at the Farmstand for a one-hour workshop and learn how to make your own essential oil roll-on from specially derived plant powers with Holly Cronin. All materials are provided.

Friday, August 2
10:30-11:30am
The Farmstand, 21 Manwaring Road
$20 per person

Meditation Workshop (4 class series)Sylvester Manor invites you to quiet your mind, expand your heart, and raise your energy in a four-week meditation series led by Jean-Sébastien Brettes.

You will gradually learn mindfulness meditation fundamentals that will allow you to foster a long-term personal practice. These mental development tools are key to understanding, accepting, and overcoming one’s challenges and, by doing so, promote a pathway to greater harmony and peace of mind.

Saturdays, August 10, 17, 24, 31
9:00 – 10:15am
Manor Grounds
$200 for the 4 classes

Farm Update

The Farm is at its busiest right now and we’re doing our best to keep up with demand! We’ve harvested a lot of onions and garlic, tomatoes have started coming in (very exciting) and we have carrots, beets, herbs, kale, and swiss chard in abundance. Eggplants are on the near horizon and we’re really busy planting our fall crops. Our woodland pigs are happy and healthy right now as are the ducks in their new pool. This time of year the chickens tend to slow down in their egg-laying production because of the heat but they are benefiting greatly from the new coop we built over the winter.

Have you ever wanted to see a flying zucchini? Or a carrot race a cucumber? Well, we farmers at Sylvester Manor have! We’ve borrowed the official pinewood derby race track and are gearing up for a race to be remembered. All community members are welcome to enter their prize-winning vegetable race car and participate in the family fun on our farm!

2nd Annual Vegetable 500
Saturday, August 17
10:30am
The Farmstand, 21 Manwaring Road
Free to attend

Farmstand Update

The summer bounty has arrived at the Farmstand! We are stocked full of our own produce and flowers from the fields as well as fruits and veggies from other local farms. And, don’t forget about Terry’s Pizzas, NoFo Pot Pies, Catapano cheeses, Lettuce Lady salads, 1610 Sourdough, Milk Pail ice cream, Acabonac beef, baked goods, lotions, hostess gifts and more from our friends all around the East End.

Stop in everyday to shop local, eat local and enjoy local!

Farmstand Hours
Open 7 days a week
9am-5pm (until 6pm on Fridays)

Compost & Food Waste Update

The food scrap collection/waste diversion program at our farm has expanded with the influx of population on the island and the larger participation from our CSA members. Each week we’re taking in approximately 700 lbs from the town and 300-500 lbs from our CSA members on Saturdays. We appreciate everyone’s participation and remind you that the farmers sift through your fermenting scraps before they are added to the pile, so please remove stickers from your produce/plastic bags. We have additional compost buckets available for anyone interested in contributing to our food scraps collection program; please stop by the Farm to pick one up.

Trails Open

The trails and grounds are open for your enjoyment, seven days a week from sunrise to sunset. Pick up a map highlighting our four walking trails (Creekside, Woodlands, Old Growth Forest and Farm). Paper maps are available at the kiosk at the front entrance to the Manor and also at the Welcome kiosk located by the parking area near the bathrooms. You can always download a digital version by clicking the button below.

Due to storm damage, the Land Bridge is temporarily closed. Please adhere to the posted trail closures.

Leashed dogs are welcome. No bicycles or motorized vehicles are allowed on the trails. The public restrooms are open to the public.

Download the “Sylvester Manor Walking Tour“ from the App Store for a self-guided tour of the grounds. Use the app and learn more about our historic property at your own pace.