PORT JEFFERSON, NY – An America 250th celebration made a splash earlier this month with the successful landing of the ‘Caleb Brewster’ Whaleboat at Port Jefferson Village’s Harborfront Park. The event brought history to life with the dramatic arrival of a full-scale, hand-crafted replica 1776-armed whaleboat, constructed locally by volunteers at Bayles Boat Shop. The landing honored our region’s role as a hub in General George Washington’s Culper Spy Ring during the American Revolution.

As part of the program, Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay announced that she has secured $100,000 in New York State capital funding for the construction of a boathouse for the Caleb Brewster whaleboat on Port Jefferson Village property. The facility will house and preserve the whaleboat replica while serving as a museum space for residents and visitors to learn about the region’s Revolutionary War history.

The immersive event engaged community members in militia encampments featuring the 3rd Regiment and Huntington Militia, historical reenactments, and a staged whaleboat landing, offering attendees a vivid and engaging portrayal of 18th-century life along Long Island’s shores. The event also served as an opportunity to recognize the individuals and organizations contributing to the preservation of local history. Deep gratitude was expressed to the dozens of volunteers who handcrafted the whaleboat at Bayles Boat Shop, as well as the Port Jefferson Conservancy for its fundraising and support, and the Village of Port Jefferson for hosting the event and will house the whaleboat in the future.

The whaleboat recreation and launch provide an incredible living history experience during defining moments in our country’s foundation. Locals were thrilled to celebrate the Village’s enduring legacy and its important place in the American story.

Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay shared, “The creation of this whaleboat and this launch event served as a powerful reminder of the courage and camaraderie that shaped our nation. Seeing the Caleb Brewster whaleboat making a splash in our harbor brought local history to life in a truly meaningful way for our community. I am deeply moved by the devotion and passion of the Bayles Boatshop volunteers who spent countless hours of the last two-and-a-half years handcrafting this vessel. I am proud to support the preservation of this revolutionary– and now modern– history by bringing New York State taxpayer dollars home in the form of capital funding to support this one-of–a-kind community project. The boathouse will protect this remarkable vessel and ensure future generations can learn from and appreciate our shared past.”

Village of Port Jefferson Mayor Lauren Sheprow stated, “The Caleb Brewster Whaleboat Landing celebration was a powerful reminder of Port Jefferson’s proud role in the fight for American independence. The courage and determination of Caleb Brewster and the Culper Spy Ring helped shape the course of our nation’s history, and it is our responsibility to preserve and share that legacy with future generations. I want to extend sincere gratitude to Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay for securing $100,000 in funding to help build the Caleb Brewster Boathouse here in Port Jefferson. This future landmark will serve as a living tribute to the bravery, sacrifice, and ingenuity that defined the Revolutionary War era and cemented Port Jefferson’s place in the story of America’s founding. Together, we are honoring our past while creating an enduring educational and cultural destination for our community and visitors alike.”

Port Jefferson Village Historian Chris Ryon stated, “The creation of the Armed Whaleboat provides a tangible object for promoting the legacy of both General George Washington’s Spy network and the rich history of shipbuilding in Port Jefferson. The addition of the Boat House provides protection to the vessel and a museum to share these stories with generations to come. Thank you to Assemblywoman Kassay for recognizing this and providing the funding to make this happen.”

President of Long Island Seaport and EcoCenter (LISEC) Len Carolan reflected, “What a wonderful day it was for the landing of the replica armed whaleboat, Caleb Brewster. The 3rd regiment and Huntington Militia were on hand with an encampment and a group of Revolutionary War reenactors rowing the boat ashore with cannons and muskets being fired. It set up the perfect atmosphere for the event. The Caleb Brewster, a post and beam house for the boat and a documentary are all part of the Whaleboat project. We are so grateful for the $100,000 capital funding from Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay’s office to the Village of Port Jefferson to help with the construction of the post and beam boat house.”

While the permanent boathouse is being constructed, the ‘Caleb Brewster’ Whaleboat will be on display at the Bayles Boat Shop. For more information, please call Assemblywoman Kassay’s office at 631-751-3094.