Vanderbilt Museum Plans an Old-Fashioned Clam Bake

The Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum has planned its first annual Clam Bake as a benefit to support museum education programs. The event, to be held in the Vanderbilt’s celebration tent on Saturday, July 14, from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Participants will enjoy an evening of food, music and dancing under the stars at the Vanderbilt estate on a hilltop above Northport Bay.

The large menu will feature a menu of unlimited seafood-lovers’ favorites — from whole steamed lobsters, clams, mussels and clam chowder to barbecued chicken, burgers, hot dogs and corn-on-the-cob — plus wine and beer.

Proceeds from the Clam Bake will benefit the museum’s education programs.

Lance Reinheimer, interim executive director, said, “While many museums are cutting back on programs, the Vanderbilt is increasing its outreach by expanding its school, public and education programming. One example is our newly acquired Traveling Classroom: Discovering the Universe. The 37-foot-long, customized recreational vehicle — a mobile science and astronomy classroom that is a gift from the American Museum of Natural History — will travel to local schools.”

In addition, he said the planetarium renovation design — which will allow the theatre to become a flexible venue for lectures, meetings and performing arts — will enhance its ability to generate additional income.

Tickets: $100 per person (includes beer, wine and soda). Purchase tickets online at www.vanderbiltmuseum.org, or call the Vanderbilt at 631-854-5579 (Monday-Friday, 10:00-4:00).

By Patrick Keeffe