Cutchogue-New Suffolk Historical Council & Museums Community Funding Initiative
Serving our community for sixty-seven years
- Village Green-The Cutchogue-New Suffolk Historical Council & Museums has owned and maintained the Village Green and kept it open and in good shape for community use, which is something that is usually done by municipalities using taxpayer-based funding. We also keep the Green active with our events and offer its use to other non-profit organizations like the Old Town Arts and Crafts Guild and the Cutchogue New Suffolk Free Library.
- Six historic House Museums– After the acquisition of the Old House, the Council systematically went about moving and restoring historic structures that were important to Cutchogue’s historical narrative and to advance local historic preservation. These include the School House, the Wickham House, the Red Barn, the Carriage House, and the Village Garage. These house museums hold thousands of objects from Cutchogue and New Suffolk’s past, and we display and care for these objects to help tell the story of our area’s history.
- Cutchogue Old Burying Ground – Founded by William Wells in 1661, it is among the most ancient found on the North Fork; it serves as a living historical record of many of Cutchogue’s early settlers. We have paid to have the site maintained since 1960 and include a yearly allotment in our budget to catalog, restore, and clean the stones on the site. We also have written and received grants for this purpose. For many of those buried in the site, their stones are the only source of historic information about them, so at our expense, using a professional site survey, we have uploaded the information to the searchable database on Billiongraves.com, to aid the public in genealogical research.
A Shared Investment in Cutchogue
We openly invite you to learn more about the proposed Community Funding Initiative. Please find some key details and FAQs below, and please consider attending our informational sessions. We look forward to answering any questions you may have.
This proposal would provide annual support for Cutchogue-New Suffolk Historical Council & Museums’ operations, educational programs, and the care of the Village Green and the 6 historic museum buildings on it, as well as that of the Cutchogue Old Burying Ground, for just $22.68 per household per year ($2.92 per month).
Cutchogue-New Suffolk Historical Council & Museums Community Funding Initiative
As a way of saying thank you, each household in the district will also be offered a complimentary annual household membership with free access, discounts, free educational programs for Mattituck-Cutchogue School District students, and invitations to special Museum events throughout the year.
Ask questions, share your thoughts, and be part of the conversation. And, kindly consider voting “Yes” on August 25.
Membership Benefits
Each household in the district will receive:
- Annual Household Membership
- Access to tour our six house museums during our seasonal hours
- Year-round access to the Village Green
- Access to special events and exhibitions
- 10% discount at the Carriage House Gift Shop
- Eblasts and announcements
Proposition Language
The Board of Trustees of The Cutchogue-New Suffolk Historical Council & Museums (the “Council”) located in the Town of Southold, Suffolk County, New York is hereby authorized to raise the sum of $60,000.00 for payment of operational and maintenance expenses on behalf of The Cutchogue-New Suffolk Historical Council & Museums for the fiscal year 2026-2027 and annually thereafter.
Key Dates
- First Dessert & Discussion: Thursday, July 30, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Community Room, Cutchogue-New Suffolk Free Library - Second Dessert & Discussion: Tuesday, August 11, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Community Room, Cutchogue-New Suffolk Free Library - Budget Vote: Tuesday, August 25, 2026, from 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM
District’s Administration Building (Formerly known as West Cutchogue School) at 385 Depot Lane, Cutchogue, NY
Frequently Asked Questions
What am I voting on?
A stable, annual funding initiative totaling $60,000.00 to support Museum operations, preservation of historic structures and objects, and public programming.
How much will this cost me?
This annual request for money will cost the average resident of Cutchogue and New Suffolk an additional $21.52. This is based on the fact that there are approximately 2,788 taxable properties in these hamlets with an assessed value of $18,258,575 or $3.29 per $1000.
Who is included?
All residents within the Cutchogue and New Suffolk (ZIP codes 11935 and 11956).
What is the Annual Household Membership?
Every household receives complimentary membership with full access, benefits, discounts, and events—bringing the entire community into the Museum.
What happens to current members?
Existing memberships will transition into the new community-wide model if the proposition passes, ensuring continued benefits while expanding access to all residents.
When and where do I vote?
Tuesday, August 25, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM at District’s Administration Building (Formerly known as West Cutchogue School) at 385 Depot Lane, Cutchogue, NY
What will this funding be used for?
These funds are dedicated to the continued preservation, maintenance, and professional care of our collections and historic structures, the care and maintenance of the Village Green, and Cutchogue Old Burying Ground. Every dollar raised is used in direct pursuit of the Council’s mission: to preserve and interpret the history of Cutchogue and New Suffolk, and educate and inform residents about that history, To maintain the Cutchogue Village Green and Old Burying Ground as a living memorial to the past inhabitants of the Cutchogue and New Suffolk area.
How do I receive my free membership to the Museum?
In appreciation, we wish to offer complimentary Annual Household Memberships to every home in the district (11935 and 11956) as a way of saying thank you for bringing our community closer together. Upon approval of this initiative, these memberships will be available to all residents beginning in 2027. Simply visit the Council or present your driver’s license and provide your email address to activate your membership benefits. By opening our doors to every family investing in our history, we aim to make the Museum a place you are truly proud to call home.
Our Commitment
We are committed to transparency and community engagement. Through public events, open dialogue, and direct outreach, we welcome every question and conversation.
Supporting the The Cutchogue-New Suffolk Historical Council & Museums is an investment in preserving our shared heritage and strengthening the future of our community. Together, we ensure that Cutchogue and New Suffolk’s stories continue to be told, experienced, and celebrated.
More Info:
Contact: Mark MacNish
Cutchoguehistory@gmail.com
