In time for summer road trip season, The Whaling Museum's Beyond the Book series turns to Travels with George by Nathaniel Philbrick — a unique blend of history and travel narrative from the award-winning author of In the Heart of the Sea.

In the book, Philbrick retraces George Washington's 1789 presidential tour through the loose and quarrelsome confederation of ex-colonies — including Long Island, and right through Cold Spring Harbor. Alongside his wife and dog, he follows Washington from Mount Vernon to the new capital in New York, grappling with how the nation's early history is understood and commemorated today, all while wrestling with the moral tangle of Washington's legacy.

This is a wonderful summer evening for history lovers, book clubbers, and anyone curious about the roads Washington once traveled right here in our backyard.

When: Wednesday, June 24, 2026 | 6:30–8:00pm
Where: The Whaling Museum & Education Center, 301 Main Street, Cold Spring Harbor, NY
Cost: Free for museum members and library patrons of Cold Spring Harbor, Huntington & South Huntington Libraries | $15 for non-members
Note: Registration required