Hometown Hero: Sean Grossman starts Culper Spy Day 5K to benefit Three Village Historical Society restoration project

The Three Village Historical Society in East Setauket will transform an old barn into an education and history center, thanks in part to the efforts of a local teen. 

Sean Grossman, a sophomore at Earl L. Vandermeulen High School in Port Jefferson, created and coordinated the first ever Culper Spy Day 5k in Setauket, which in September attracted nearly 350 participants and raised more than $10,000.

The course passed numerous historic sites related to the Culper Spy Ring, a famous Revolutionary War-era network organized by Maj. Benjamin Tallmadge and Gen. George Washington during the British occupation of New York City and Long Island.

Grossman, 15, said he came up with the idea for the 5k when his grandmother, Janette Handley, mentioned to him that a nearby historical society was looking for fundraising ideas.

“I wanted to combine my interests, because I really like local history and I love running,” Grossman said. “We originally expected this to be like a building year, but it just ended up exploding. We made a lot more money than we anticipated, and twice as many people showed up than we thought.”

The 5k started and ended in front of the historical society’s headquarters on North Country Road and passed historical landmarks including the Setauket Neighborhood House and Patriots Rock, which colonial troops used to mount a cannon and fire at Tory forces during the Revolutionary War. To help carry out the 5k, Grossman said he reached out to the Strong Island Running Club, a local management and timing company that assisted with the event’s registration process.

Grossman also secured sponsorships from local businesses such as Bagel Express in Setauket and community groups such as Three Village Dads to help cover costs, and raised additional funds through entry fees and community donations, he said. He intends for the money to be used to help restore an old barn, which the historical society is planning to use as a space for interactive exhibits as well as archive facilities that will be readily accessible to local educators, students and the public.

“Sean pulled together a dedicated team of volunteers, partnered with the Strong Island Running Club and led every step of the way with such focus and heart,” said the historical society’s director, Mari Irizarry. “We are so proud of Sean and his commitment — not just to our organization, but to the community he loves.”

Earl L. Vandermeulen Principal John Ruggero also praised the teen's charitable efforts.

“Sean’s vision and execution of the Culper Spy Day 5k were extraordinary,” Ruggero said. “His ability to merge his interests and make a positive impact on both the community and local history is truly commendable.”

By Michael R. Ebert

michael.ebert@newsday.com

Michael R. Ebert is an education researcher and has worked for Newsday in various capacities since 2003. He was part of an 11-person team named as 2008 Pulitzer Prize finalists for investigative coverage of the LIRR's platform safety issues.