Curator’s Corner
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“Come On Over…We Are Having a Picnic”
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From the earliest issues of The Star (first published in 1885) there are picnics and clambakes described. From Sunday School outings to the members of the Juvenile Good Templars, everybody was enjoying picnicking.
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In the July 26th, 1890 issue of The Star, the editor picked-up a news tidbit that described how the word “picnic” came about. “The custom is said to date from 1802, so that the picnic is wholly an institution of the nineteenth century. When a picnic was being arranged for, the custom originally was that those who intended to be present should supply the eatables and drinkables. A list of these necessaries having been drawn up it was passed round and each person picked out what he or she was willing to furnish, and the name of the article was picked and nicked off the list. The open-air entertainment thus became known as a ‘pick and nick.’”
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An old-time clam-bake is carefully described in a September issue of The Star from 1886:
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“A revival of the clambake and picnic such as was the custom among the summer visitors ten or fifteen years ago took place last Monday afternoon. It was a great success, and there can be little doubt that the clambake is once more established as something to be expected and looked forward to each season.
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“About three-o’clock, a long line of stages filed down Ocean Avenue, stopping at nearly every house to take on passengers and then wound its way through the woods towards three-Mile Harbor.
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“In spite of the dust and closeness of the atmosphere, the ride down seemed to be enjoyed, judging from the songs and war-whoops that arose. A lovely spot had been selected on the edge of the lower arm of the Harbor, in the cool shade of a delightful grove. Gigantic heaps of clams, corn and potatoes met the view of the picnickers on their arrival, and soon all hands were busy gathering fuel for the fires, husking corn, opening baskets, and preparing things for the feast to come. A sail-boat and several row-boats were at the disposal of the visitors and were soon filled with numerous parties, eager to explore the beauties of the Harbor. About 5:30 the supper was ready and all hands fell to with a will, and soon made a great havoc with the clams and other edibles.
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“Three large coffee pots were steadily filled and emptied, and the delicious beverage produced in them by the skilled hands of the fair cook was greatly enjoyed. Nearly one hundred partook of the supper. After the feasting had ended, a well-known gentleman delivered a witty address, which was highly appreciated. After complimenting Mrs. Davis and several other ladies for originating the scheme upon the complete success of their undertaking, he said that everything had gone so smoothly and propitiously. At about 6:30 the stages began to move homeward, and before dark all the picnickers were in their respective quarters in this village.
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“The expedition was successful and enjoyable, and the clambake is re-established as one of the summer institutions of East Hampton.”
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Thus ends the story of how the clambake picnic remains one of the joys for all of us lucky enough to be in East Hampton in the summer.
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