Southold Historical Museum

Nautical Museum at Horton Point Lighthouse Reopening for 2024 Season

Each May, the Southold Historical Museum reopens the Nautical Museum at Horton Point Lighthouse for the season. Volunteers are getting ready to welcome visitors back on May 25, 2024.

The Museum has transformed one whole room into a seasonal exhibit space for several years. This season’s exhibit is titled “Soaring Over Southold: A Collection of Historic Aerial Photographs.”  From 1930 to 1975, the photographs offer a unique view of the Southold area during the mid-20^th Century. Visitors will note that much has changed and has stayed the same.

Southold Historical Museum Executive Director, Deanna Witte-Walker stated, “It is both fascinating to see our town from the air and challenging to try to identify some of the structures. I felt like I was playing Hidden Pictures or Where’s Waldo. Additionally, the photos, taken from a plane or helicopter with a still camera are so impressive. Today, drone photography and video are quite common. However, trying to take a clear photo back in the day required expertise.”

The Southold Historical Museum eagerly awaits the arrival of first-time and repeat visitors of all ages. We invite you to explore the diverse exhibits at the Nautical Museum, which cover topics such as whaling, fishing the bays, shipwrecks, and the lives of lighthouse keepers. There's something for everyone to discover. Don't miss the opportunity to climb to the top of the lighthouse tower, where you can take in a spectacular view and learn from our knowledgeable volunteer docents.

The Horton Point Lighthouse, one of seven historic lighthouses in Southold Township, stands on the 'Cliff Lot' of Barnabas Horton's original 1640 land grant. Its tower and adjoining keeper's residence are a testament to our rich maritime history. The Nautical Museum at Horton Point Lighthouse, open from May 25 to September 15, 2024, on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:30am-4pm, offers a unique opportunity to delve into this history.  Admission is $5 per adult, $10 per family, which includes a passport for entry to the Museum’s Maple Lane Complex (open June 29 to September 15, 2024). Please note, non-residents will be charged an additional $5 for parking in the Southold Park District’s lot.