Billy Minicozzi correctly identified the mystery picture in the Aug. 16 issue of the Oyster Bay Enterprise Pilot. "It's a model in old-fashioned clothing in Raynham Hall Museum," he said. On a sports note, he said the New York Islanders have new hockey jerseys - in orange, white and blue!

Billy is right about the picture. It was taken at Raynham Hall Museum and it could be Solomon Townsend working in what was his store.

There is another costumed figure in the dining room of the house. That figure might be Robert Townsend - who we now know was a member of George Washington's spy ring.

Raynham Hall Museum is a wonderful place to visit. It tells the story about the founding fathers of Oyster Bay during the Colonial and Victorian eras. The house was a store during the Colonial era. Solomon Townsend owned tall ships that went to the West Indies to bring back rum and molasses. During the Civil War his ships weren't able to get to the West Indies and the Townsends lost a great deal of their wealth.

There are many stories the museum has to tell, including that of the slaves that lived there. The Raynham Hall Slave Bible was recently bought by Stony Brook University and is expected to be on view at Raynham Hall.

- DFK