Immerse yourself in a literary voyage with The Whaling Museum, where stories unfold above and below the waves.

2026 Books

book cover of sea people serounded by ocean and islands Picture

Wed, May 27 | 6:30pm

Beyond the Book: Sea People

Sea People: The Puzzle of Polynesia by Christina Thompson. Join us to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month as we dive into Christina Thompson’s fascinating look at one of the greatest maritime mysteries of all time - how Polynesian explorers settled islands scattered across thousands of miles of open ocean long before modern navigation tools existed. Blending history, science, and storytelling, Sea People examines oral histories, DNA research, European explorer accounts, and modern attempts to recreate ancient voyages in an attempt to solve this enduring puzzle. We’ll chat about epic sea journeys, cultural resilience, and how these stories shape the way we understand ocean exploration.

Free for museum members and patrons of Cold Spring Harbor, Huntington and South Huntington libraries. $15 Participant

book cover picture of a road and george wahsington looking int he rear view mirror Picture

Wed, June 24 | 6:30pm

Beyond the Book: Travels with George

Travels with George: In Search of Washington and his Legacy by Nathaniel Philbrick. In time for summer road trip season, join us to discuss this unique blend of history book and travel narrative from the award-winning author of In the Heart of the Sea. In Travels with George, Philbrick retraces Washington’s 1789 presidential tour through the loose and quarrelsome confederation of ex-colonies in an attempt to sell citizens on the new government and the idea of being “American.” Alongside his wife and dog, Philbrick follows Washington from Mount Vernon to the new capital in New York and eventually out onto Long Island (and through Cold Spring Harbor) while considering how the nation’s early history is understood and commemorated today, all while grappling with the moral tangle of Washington’s legacy.

Free for museum members and patrons of Cold Spring Harbor, Huntington and South Huntington libraries. $15 Participant

Spot the star! When an event or program has a star that means it's part of our special "Liberty at Sea" series celebrating 250 years of Independence!