The Chicken Hill Exhibit Goes Digital: Honoring the Past, Engaging the Future
Today, the Chicken Hill online exhibit is officially accessible—not just to our local community, but to the world. This marks a pivotal step in the Three Village Historical Society and Museum’s ongoing commitment to preserving our shared cultural heritage.
The Chicken Hill Exhibit was the first step in showcasing overlooked histories, highlighting the foundational contributions of our community’s Native American, Eastern European, and African American narratives. While the primary goal was to digitize an exhibit that was housed at our history museum for nearly thirteen years, it was equally important to demonstrate that we’ve been listening. Listening to new perspectives on Chicken Hill, to the lived experiences of marginalized communities, to the ways in which culture was shared and perceived. These stories remind us that Chicken Hill is not simply a place of the past—it endures. As many from these communities have long affirmed: “We’re still here.”
We encourage you to use this online exhibit as a gateway to explore present-day Chicken Hill in East Setauket. Viewing an exhibit is one thing; experiencing its legacy firsthand is another! The echoes of history remain—from landmarks like the Country Corner, where neighbors once gathered, to religious institutions such as Bethel AME and Setauket Methodist Church, where faith and tradition continue to unite people.
Through this online exhibit, we continue to have the opportunity to learn from one another, and to honor these histories that are still very much alive! Exhibit materials are currently being repurposed for an expanded display at the Rubber Factory Worker Houses - part of the original Chicken Hill community - operated by the Three Village Community Trust at 184 Main Street, Setauket.
Explore. Reflect. Remember. Chicken Hill’s story is far from over!
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