Preservation Long Island Hosts Weekend Events to Honor 315th Birthday of Poet Jupiter Hammon

Join Preservation Long Island at Joseph Lloyd Manor in Lloyd Harbor for free events celebrating the 315th birthday of Jupiter Hammon (ca. 1711–c. 1806), a prolific poet, writer, and preacher who became America’s first published Black poet.

On Saturday, October 17, 2026, the manor house will be open for guided tours, and on Sunday, October 18, 2026, filmmaker Malik Work will join us for a screening of his short film interpreting one of Hammon’s most powerful essays.

While enslaved by the Lloyd family at Joseph Lloyd Manor, Hammon wrote his most significant works exploring the social and moral conflicts of slavery in the newly formed United States. Today, the manor is designated as a National Literary Landmark in his honor, recognizing his enduring literary legacy and connection to this historic site. 

Registration in advance is encouraged for the free guided tours on October 17 and for the film screening with Malik Work on October 18.

Event Details:

Saturday, October 17, 2026 – Joseph Lloyd Manor will be open for free guided tours at 11am, 12:30pm, or 2:00pm.
Click HERE to register for the guided tours.

Sunday, October 18, 2026 – Joseph Lloyd Manor will open at 11am for a free screening of actor-griot-playwright Malik Work’s short film interpreting Hammon’s An Essay on Slavery, followed by a discussion with the filmmaker. Visitors are also welcome to take free self-guided tours from 11am-2pm.
Click HERE to register for the film screening with Malik Work.

For more information about this event visit: https://preservationlongisland.org/jupiter-hammons-315th-birthday-weekend-october-17-18-2026/