The Gala held on the grounds of Southampton’s oldest building celebrated 250 years of American independence

The Southampton History Museum held its annual Halsey House Gala at the Halsey House & Garden in Southampton as the nation prepared to mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

The gala co-chaired by Jean Shafiroff and Mary Slattery and emceed by Bill McCuddy invited guests to celebrate America 250 in a setting that predates the founding of the United States and offered a rare living connection to the colonial era, early Southampton life and the generations that helped shape the East End.

Jean Shafiroff (Image Credit: PMC / Sean Zanni)

Bill Manger, Mary Slattery (Image Credit: PMC / Sean Zanni)

Proceeds support the Southampton History Museum’s mission to preserve and educate about local history and culture through its unique historic sites, archives, collections, and public programs. Among the live auction items were glassware from Asprey and a painting by Hunt Slonem which attracted strong bidding to aid the Museum’s fund-raising efforts.

Notable Attendees included: Jean Shafiroff, Mary Slattery, Bill McCuddy, Bill Manger, Rebecca Seawright, Meg McCartney and James McCartney, Dede Gotthelf and Terry Moan, Steven Stolman & Rich Wilkie, Mark Lemerise & Morgan Suckow, Noel Hare & Deborah Herrick Hare, Jeff Pfeiffle & David Granville, Quinn Pofahl & Jaime Jimenez, Leighton Candler, Ruth Miller, Elizabeth Mohtares, Tim Pontarelli, Sally Van Erk, and Barbara Zweig.

Bill McCuddy (Image Credit: PMC / Sean Zanni)

Steven Stolman, Rich Wilkie, Tim Pontarelli (Image Credit: Society Allure / Rob Rich)

Isolde O’Hanlon, Tom Floyd (Image Credit: PMC / Sean Zanni)

Kevin Donnelly and family (Image Credit: PMC / Sean Zanni)

Doug Halsey and family (Image Credit: Society Allure / Rob Rich)

Dede Gotthelf, Linda Stabler Talty, Peter Talty (Image Credit: PMC / Sean Zanni)

Jean Shafiroff, Nancy Stone, Francesca Dricot, Meg McCartney (Image Credit: PMC / Sean Zanni)

Sally Van Erk, Suzanne Caldwell, Chris Robichaud, Barbara Zweig (Image Credit: PMC / Sean Zanni)

Jaime Jimenez, Mark Lemerise, Quinn Pofahl (Image Credit: PMC / Sean Zanni)

Chris Oberbeck, Auction winner of Hunt Slonem Artwork (Image Credit: Society Allure / Rob Rich)

Atmosphere (Image Credit: Society Allure / Rob Rich)

Key Supporters for the 2026 Halsey House Gala included:

Platinum

Fiona & Stan Druckenmiller, The Derfner Foundation, Jean and Martin Shafiroff, and the M. Sullivan Fund (in memory of Marge Sullivan)

Gold

Susan K. Allen, George & Leslie Biddle, Ann Marie Carr, Judi & Kevin Donnelly (in memory of Marie Donnelly), Southampton Inn, Stony Brook Southampton Hospital.

Silver

Averitt Buttry & Rob Coburn, Brian Brady, Peter L. Hallock & Craig P. Mowry, Doug & Amy Halsey, Dr. Mark & Dr. June Halsey, Dr. Meredith Halsey & Matthew Bossler, Jetsam Studio, Mary Slattery, The Peter Marino Art Foundation and Washington Fine Properties.

Bronze

1708 House, Kathy & Gene Bernstein, Louise Braver, Paul Brennan, Beatty Cramer, Design House, Gregory & Margaret Hedberg, Mrs. Heidi Curley Kline & Dr. Alan Kline, Design House, Edward R. Donovan & Cheryl L. Carter, Leslie Feldman, Mrs. Paul Hallingby, Jr., Jackie L. Halsey Family, Liz & Tom Halsey, Hampton Smile, Hamptons Office Works, Noel & Deborah Hare, Herrick Hardware, Gregory & Margaret Hedberg, Mrs. Heidi Curley Kline & Dr. Alan Kline, Dr. Bruce Horton, Jefferson E Hughes, Will Hunter & Matt Sisneros, Jay & Valerie Ireland, Meg & James McCartney, Ed & Connie Moneypenny, Kathy Prounis, Saratoga Investment Corp, Cynthia & Robert Schaffner, Peter J & Linda Stabler Talty, Linn Turecamo, Sandra Walser, Washington Fine Properties, Ellen Welsh and Hilary & Eric Woodward.

About the Southampton History Museum:

The Southampton History Museum preserves and educates the public about the history and culture of Southampton, NY by engaging broad audiences in our shared heritage. The Museum is a  registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization chartered by the New York State Board of Regents and incorporated under the New York State Education Department.

america250 community Cultural Events halsey house gala hamptons heritage historic preservation history preservation Southampton history museum

Last modified: July 18, 2026