Eastville Community Historical Society

The Eastville Community Historical Society of Sag Harbor was founded in 1981 and chartered by New York State in 1986 to preserve the history of the working-class community of Eastville and to tell the story of St. David AME Zion Church. The church remains in its original location, built in 1839 by African Americans and Native Americans on Eastville Avenue. It is widely believed to have been a stop along the Underground Railroad. Its founding Pastor, Rev. P. Thompson, was a noted Abolitionist and friend of Frederick Douglas. The Society also owns, upkeeps, preserves and protects the adjacent century-old cemetery in which African and Native Americans of the earlier St. David's church membership are buried, many of whom were Sag Harbor Whalers.

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From the early 1800's until the mid 1900's, the section of historic Sag Harbor known as Eastville was home to a multi-ethnic population of free Blacks, European immigrants and Native Americans. The area evolved through many economic changes, including two devastating village fires, the rise and fall of the whaling industry, the development and decline of factories, and a boom in the tourist and resort business. Today Eastville retains its ethnic mix, while preserving its modest character amidst the glamour and wealth of the Hamptons.

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The Eastville Community Historical Society had its beginnings out of a concern for preservation of the St. David A.M.E. Zion Church as an historical site in Sag Harbor, and was instrumental in restoring the exterior of the building, the tin ceiling and also in restoring and preserving the stained glass windows of the church.  

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We also held our meetings in the parish house and our Annual Fish Fry on its grounds for over 30 years, beginning in1985.  Both the church and the adjacent cemetery have been included in historical tours of Sag Harbor in general, and the Eastville community in particular.

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The Eastville Community Historical Society moved its headquarters to 139 Hampton Street in 1996, now called the Heritage House, originally a 1925 Sears & Roebuck catalog house. and continues to raise funds for the maintenance of the church and cemetery. In addition, exhibitions are regularly hosted at the Heritage House. Please come visit!