Historic house museum

Raynham Hall Museum

About 0.4 mi from the railroad museum

A substantial Oyster Bay house museum connecting Revolutionary espionage, the Townsend family, slavery, and two centuries of local history.

The place

About Raynham Hall Museum

Raynham Hall Museum interprets the Townsend family home across its colonial and Victorian periods. Its best-known Revolutionary connection is Robert Townsend, a member of the Culper Spy Ring who provided intelligence to George Washington. The museum also addresses the lives of the people enslaved by the Townsends instead of limiting the story to espionage and prominent family members.

The current visitor program alternates formats. Self-guided 1776AR tours are offered Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, while educator-led 90-minute tours run Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Both include the exhibition hall and historic house. The visitor center is accessible, but the historic house is only partially accessible and the official page identifies first-floor access.

Raynham Hall's own site contains conflicting legacy material in its footer, including an obsolete COVID closure notice, older prices, and both 20 and 30 West Main Street references. This guide relies on the current Tours and Tickets section for schedule and admission, the current Contact page for the historic-house address, and treats 30 West Main Street as visitor-center context rather than concealing the conflict.

What stands out

Culper Spy Ring

Follow Robert Townsend's role in Washington's intelligence network through original-place interpretation and current exhibitions.

Colonial and Victorian rooms

The house preserves two architectural periods and uses furnishings to explain changing domestic life.

A fuller household story

Interpretation includes the Townsend family and the people they enslaved, expanding beyond a single patriotic narrative.

Pair it with the train

Why it belongs in an Oyster Bay Railroad Museum trip

The railroad museum explains Theodore Roosevelt's station and Long Island rail history; Raynham Hall shifts the same compact downtown visit toward the Revolution and Oyster Bay's earlier social history. It is the easiest substantial local museum to add without another long drive.

Before you go

Plan your visit

  • Guided toursWednesday, Friday, and Sunday at 1 and 3 p.m.; approximately 90 minutes.
  • Self-guided toursTuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, hourly from 1 to 4 p.m.; approximately 45 minutes. Download the 1776AR app before arrival if possible.
  • Current admission$15 adult; $10 senior or student; members, military, and children under 5 free. The official footer still repeats older conflicting prices, so confirm at checkout.
  • AccessibilityVisitor center accessible; historic house partially accessible on the first floor. Call ahead with specific mobility or accommodation needs.
  • Parking and check-inThe museum lists two municipal lots near the historic house. Confirm whether your tour checks in at the visitor center at 30 West Main Street.

Presidential-history extension

Add Sagamore Hill National Historic Site

Continue the Oyster Bay history day with Theodore Roosevelt's home, free grounds, and advance-reservation house tours.

View the guide →

Useful answers

Frequently asked questions

Which days have guided tours?

The current Tours page lists guided tours Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday at 1 and 3 p.m. Self-guided AR tours use Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday instead.

How long should I allow?

The museum lists about 90 minutes for a guided tour and about 45 minutes for a self-guided tour.

Is Raynham Hall wheelchair accessible?

The visitor center is accessible, but the historic house is only partially accessible on the first floor. Call ahead about the exact route and need.

Is the address 20 or 30 West Main Street?

The current Contact page identifies the historic house at 20 West Main Street, while current visitor-center and footer material uses 30 West Main Street. Confirm tour check-in when booking.

Is the museum currently closed because of COVID-19?

No current operating page supports that old footer notice. The museum publishes active 2026 tours and events; use the current Tours page and call if conditions change.

Trust and accuracy

Sources

Source checked 2026-08-14. This free guide has not yet been confirmed by the venue. Current hours, prices, services, and accessibility can change; confirm time-sensitive details directly.