Bayport-Blue Point Heritage Association

30 Mar April 2018 Newsletter

Posted at 14:50h in news

General Membership Meeting

On April 8th at 2:00 at the Bayport Blue Point Library, we will hold our next General Membership meeting featuring Diane Holliday, speaking about the Idle Hour Artist Colony of Oakdale. Diane is the former Dowling College Archivist and Special Collections Librarian. She will lead a discussion about the short lived (1926-1929) Idle Hour Artist Colony in Oakdale NY. She will examine how this artist colony fits into the context of the Artist Colony Movement in the United States. Additionally, she will talk about the Artist Colony founder, the artists, and other notable inhabitants of the Colony and what their life was like there. Finally, she will take a look at the art that was formally housed at the Dowling College Library.

We hope you can join us on April 8th at the library!

St. Patrick’s Day Parade…

Thank you to the many members of the BHA for your participation in the St. Patrick’s Day parade! It was a beautiful sunny day and Irish eyes were smiling! A great crowd watched along the route and again our congratulations to Walter Ramsey the Grand Marshall!

We would like to Thank; Jerry McCloskey and John Amato for holding our Heritage Sign and leading our group. Mary Bailey, Leann Berg and Frank Geibfried in the 1923 Model A. Gene Horton for letting us borrow his car! A special Thank you also goes to Frank and Jen Grasso for the use of their carriage. Thank you to Dennis Fagan and your family for following in your own Model A. Anna Dugan and Jen Economos for handing out pins and marching with the BHA. It was a wonderful day to see our communities come together in the spirit of the Irish!
See the video on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/K30dFjAW8v0

The heirloom Garden…

The Meadow Croft heirloom garden is in need of a Spring cleaning. It may not seem a like a huge space, but there is plenty of room and a variety of tasks to keep people entertained by the wonders of nature. We are looking for hands to help. Our new master Gardner is Ann Soper.

For the initial cleanup we will be raking, cutting and possibly digging or tilling. It is recommended to wear layers, bringing a hat, gloves, sunglasses, sunscreen, a kneeling pad and something to keep you hydrated. If you have a leaf rake, hand rake, pruners, trowel, weeding tool, bucket for debris, these would all be useful. Most important is a desire to help, regardless of knowledge or ability. There is something for every level of gardener, so don’t feel you can’t take part! Contact the BHA at 631-472-4625 with any questions. Looking forward to another beautiful season!

upcoming news….

The Bayport Heritage Association has some exciting news and information coming soon! Make sure to follow our blog and read our Newsletter to keep up on all the happenings!
Sneak peek: Historical sign dedication, new membership information, Summer Concerts, Autumn House Tour information and more!

April ASCHS quarterly meeting

The Bayport Historical Association and the Sayville Historical Society are co-hosting the April ASCHS meeting. ASCHS, or Association of Suffolk County Historical Societies, will be holding it’s quarterly meeting on April 28th. It will feature the historic buildings of St. Ann’s Church in Sayville, the Edwards Homestead in Sayville, and the Meadow Croft estate. Lunch at the delicious Grey Horse Tavern in Bayport will follow. Ticket prices are $40.00 pp and an invite will follow shortly. Save the date! Hope to see you there.

02 Mar March Newsletter, 2018

Posted at 10:42h in news

~ March Newsletter 2018 ~

General Membership Meeting

On April 8th at 2:00 at the Bayport Blue Point Library, we will hold our next General Membership meeting featuring Diane Holliday, speaking about the Idle Hour Artist Colony of Oakdale. Diane is the former Dowling College Archivist and Special Collections Librarian. She will lead a discussion about he short lived (1926-1929) Idle Hour Artist Colony in Oakdale NY. She will examine how this artist colony fits into the context of the Artist Colony Movement in the United States. Additionally, she will talk about the Artist Colony founder, the artists, and other notable inhabitants of the Colony and what their life was like there. Finally, she will take a look at the art that was formally housed at the Dowling College Library.

We hope you can join us on April 8th at the library!

St Patrick’s Day Parade

Come out and celebrate! On March 11th Bayport and Blue Point will be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. This is the 28th year our communities will be marching in the parade starting at 11:00. This wonderful festive event sponsored by the BBP Chamber of Commerce has selected Walter Ramsey as the Grand Marshal for this years event. Walter has been involved with the parade from the beginning and it is an honor having him as the Grand Marshal.
All BHA members are encouraged to march in the parade and show support of our association and our community. The BHA will be lining up on Snedecore Ave at spot number 23, so if you would like to march or hand things out, please contact us.

Congratulations or ‘comhghairdeas’ to Walter and we hope to see you there!

Odds and ends….

Docents: If you have an interest in Bayport History and would like to volunteer some time to provide a guided tour of Meadow Croft: WE NEED YOU! The association is in need of docents. It requires very little time, less than two hours a day, two days a month from June through October. You will shadow one of our current knowledgeable docents to learn the rich history of Meadow Croft before you will lead a tour on your own. If this sounds like something you may be interested in, please call Harriet Mihlstin at 631-472-2118.

Heirloom Garden: Lorraine Leacock, our lead gardener at Meadow Croft has decided to step down from her role. Lorraine has done a fabulous job for many years but it is now time to pass the torch, or trowel, on to someone else. She will be available to assist but can no longer take the lead position.
The lead person will need to help coordinate the seeds and/or plants, plant the seedlings, water the garden and generally see that the garden is maintained from April through September. Traditionally, Friday mornings were the groups time to meet at Meadow Croft to do this important work but other plans can be made.
If you have any interest or would like to help in any way, please contact us at 631-472-4625. A willingness to help and learn is all that is required. Consider keeping this tradition alive at Meadow Croft!

Board of Directors and Officers of the BHA

Thank you to everyone who came out to our February general membership meeting. Each March our nominating committee presents it’s slate of officers for the upcoming year. This year we would like to welcome Jen Economos as a new director! We would also like to thank Kristy Giacchetto for your years of volunteerism and contributions to the BHA. We know Kristy will still be involved in many aspects of all we do, especially the Autumn House Tour, and we Thank her for her service. The following is the 2018 Executive Board and the Directors:

Mary Bailey, President

Leanne Berg, Vice President

Beth Lamarca, Recording Secretary

Laura Amato, Corresponding Secretary

John Amato, Treasurer

Directors: Tom Maher, David Harenberg,

Frank Geibfried, Dennis Fagan,

Jen Economos

Meadow Croft Estate, Middle Road, Sayville, NY, USA

bbphistorical@gmail.com

631-472-4625

20 Feb Feb. 25, 2018 Meeting

Posted at 13:10h in news

DATE CHANGE!

Please note: Due to a conflict with the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, we have decided to change our March general membership meeting to Sunday, February 25. We hope to see you there!

Join us at our next general membership meeting at the

Bayport-Blue Point Library on

Sunday, February 25 at 2 o’clock.

We will welome historian Bill Bleyer who will present “Sagamore Hill: Theodore Roosevelt’s Summer White House.” Discover the story behind Theodore Roosevelt’s favorite place on earth. No house better reflects the personality and interests of its owner than Theodore Roosevelt’s cherished Sagamore Hill. After Roosevelt returned to Oyster Bay following the death of both his beloved wife and his mother, he and second wife Edith made the house a home for their growing and rambunctious family. What began as the perfect getaway from unhealthy New York City summers in his grandfather’s day became the summer White House during Roosevelt’s presidency. He hosted political guests like Henry Cabot Lodge and cultural luminaries like novelist Edith Wharton. Roosevelt spent his final years happily at Sagamore Hill, and after his death in 1919 the house was preserved by his widow, the Theodore Roosevelt Association and eventually the National Park Service. With previously unpublished photographs and a room-by-room guide to the house and grounds, historian Bill Bleyer recounts bygone days at Roosevelt’s haven.
Bill Bleyer was a prize-winning staff writer for Newsday, the Long Island daily newspaper, for 33 years before retiring in 2014 to write books and freelance for magazines and Newsday.
He is co-author of “Long Island and the Civil War,” published in 2015 by The History Press. He is the author of “Fire Island Lighthouse: Long Island’s Welcoming Beacon” published by The History Press in 2017.

01 Feb February 2018 Newsletter

Posted at 15:35h in news

~ February 2018 Newsletter ~

General Membership meeting

Please note: Due to a conflict with the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, we have decided to change our March general membership meeting to Sunday, February 25. We apologize for any confusion or inconvenience.

Join us at our next general membership meeting at the Bayport-Blue Point Library on Sunday, February 25 at 2 o’clock. We will welome historian Bill Bleyer who will present “Sagamore Hill: Theodore Roosevelt’s Summer White House.” Discover the story behind Theodore Roosevelt’s favorite place on earth. No house better reflects the personality and interests of its owner than Theodore Roosevelt’s cherished Sagamore Hill. After Roosevelt returned to Oyster Bay following the death of both his beloved wife and his mother, he and second wife Edith made the house a home for their growing and rambunctious family. What began as the perfect getaway from unhealthy New York City summers in his grandfather’s day became the summer White House during Roosevelt’s presidency. He hosted political guests like Henry Cabot Lodge and cultural luminaries like novelist Edith Wharton. Roosevelt spent his final years happily at Sagamore Hill, and after his death in 1919 the house was preserved by his widow, the Theodore Roosevelt Association and eventually the National Park Service. With previously unpublished photographs and a room-by-room guide to the house and grounds, historian Bill Bleyer recounts bygone days at Roosevelt’s haven.
Bill Bleyer was a prize-winning staff writer for Newsday, the Long Island daily newspaper, for 33 years before retiring in 2014 to write books and freelance for magazines and Newsday.
He is co-author of “Long Island and the Civil War,” published in 2015 by The History Press. He is the author of “Fire Island Lighthouse: Long Island’s Welcoming Beacon” published by The History Press in 2017.

United Methodist Church of Bayport

UMC of Bayport has been serving this community since 1873. Learn about its history in this brief video. Click here.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Come out and celebrate! On March 11th Bayport Blue Point will be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. This is the 28th year our communities will be marching in the parade starting at 11:00. This wonderful festive event sponsored by the BBP Chamber of Commerce has selected Walter Ramsey as the Grand Marshal for this years event. Walter has been involved with the parade from the beginning and it is an honor having him as the Grand Marshal.
All BHA members are encouraged to march in the parade and show support of our association and our community. Congratulations or ‘comhghairdeas’ to Walter and we hope to see you there!

Boy Scouts visit Meadow Croft

On Saturday, November 4, the Bayport Heritage Association welcomed over 200 Boy Scouts to Meadow Croft. The day was part of the Scouts’ History Alive program, which makes local history an element of the Scouting experience. The program aims to be more than a visit to the local museum; it intends to teach youth interactively about the history of their community.
Camp was set up at the Grange in Sayville, where the Scouts toured the historic buildings and talked with period reenactors. The kids then hiked south to the Roosevelt property and followed the old Roosevelt trail. Once at Meadow Croft, they were treated to a tour of the house, garage, and carriage house by BHA members dressed in period attire. Following the tour, the Scout patrols worked cooperatively, answering questions about the Roosevelt family and property to earn awards back at the Camporee. The importance of programs such as this was demonstrated by the enthusiastic responses and interest of the kids. Thanks to Blue Point resident and Boy Scout representative Brian McAuliff and Frank Grasso for including us in such a rewarding day!
On January 28th 2018, both Brain and Frank came back to Meadow Croft to say Thank you! They gave our board members a beautiful letter of thanks, some nice t-shirts and a donation to our organization. It’s experiences like these that make the countless hours the volunteers spend working hard to preserve our communities rich history that make it all worthwhile.

Researching Your House

The BHA has a large archive of historical information on most of the residences in Bayport. These archives, which include, photos, deeds, news clippings and handwritten notes from previous owners, was compiled by many of the early members of the BHA. Their hard work and persistence is so appreciated by the current BHA board and members. We would like to offer the chance for BHA members to view these archives by special request. If you are a member with current dues paid, you can email John Amato to make an appointment to see the file on your old house. Just send John your address and he will retrieve the file and meet you at the Bayport Blue Point Library on the weekend. These files cannot be taken home for obvious reasons, but you may make copies of documents. John is a current board member and the treasurer of the BHA. His email address is

johnfamato@optonline.net.

Bayport Heritage Association

Facebook @BayportHistory

Follow us on Twitter and on Face Book

bbphistorical@gmail.com

631-472-4625

17 Jan Events Calendar, 2018

Posted at 12:27h in events

Check out our Events Line-Up for 2018!

Mark your calendars!

Historic Marker ceremony
The BHA is pleased to announce that we will be placing an historical marker endorsed by the Town of Islip at the site of one of our communities treasured old buildings. The building known to local history buffs as the William B. Arthur building has a storied past and holds particular significance. We hope you will join us on:
Saturday, June 9th at 11:00 AM for a brief but poignant ceremony to highlight and mark this local treasure.

Thursday, July 12, 2018
The BHA loves to give back to our community where we live and because of that reason we are planning a FREE concert in the park! This evening concert will feature JK Hodge, a local Bayporter who plays the piano. This concert will be held on July 12th 2018 from 6:00-8:00 at Bayport Memorial Park right on Middle Road. More information in our next newsletter but Save the Date for a night of music! FREE! Hope to see you there.

The moonlight cruise on the bay is back by popular demand and will be launching on
Thursday, July 26, 2018.
We are pleased to bring back the historic cruise which ran for many years leaving from the Sayville ferry terminal on Brown’s River and heading out to the Great South Bay. The historic water tour was narrated by Gene Horton and Jim Connell for many years highlighting some of the most historically significant buildings along the shore and inland waterways. The cruise will leave from the Fire Island ferry terminal at 6:00 PM and head out to the bay. You must be on the ferry by 5:45.

ASCHS
Association of Suffolk County Historical Societies
2018

JUNE 2018

Bay Shore Historical Society
June 2, 12noon to 3:00 pm
Bar-be-que
June 15, 7:00 pm
TBA
www.bayshorehistoricalsociety.org

Nassau County Historical Society
Sunday, June 10, 2 pm
The Land of Moses: Robert Moses and Modern Long Island
www,NassauCountyHisstoricalSociety.org

JULY 2018

Bay Shore Historical Society
July 19, 5:30 pm
www.bayshorehistoricalsociety.org

AUGUST 2018
To be announced

SEPTEMBER 2018

Bay Shore Historical Society
September 20, 7:00 pm
American History of the Early 1900’s as seen in Silent Film

www.bayshorehistoricalsociety.org

OCTOBER 2018
To be announced

NOVEMBER 2018
To be announced

DECEMBER 2018

Bay Shore Historical Society

December 1, 10 am to 4 pm
Snowflake Sale and Bake Sale
December 20, 5:30 pm
Potluck dinner
www.bayshorehistoricalsociety.org

01 Jan Happy New Year 2018!

Posted at 22:05h in news

Happy New Year 2018!

All of us at the Bayport Heritage Association hope you had a wonderful holiday season and enjoyed special memories with family and friends. We had a busy productive year and accomplished a great deal to support our mission of preserving the rich history of our wonderful hamlet. Of course we could not do any of this without the support of our community; both families and local businesses. We thank you for a wonderful year and look forward to 2018!

Christmas at Meadow Croft

From Leanne Berg, Vice President and chairperson

I’d like to thank everyone involved in the 2017 Silver and Gold Christmas at Meadow Croft! it was a successful weekend and I appreciate all of the hard work and dedication everyone put in.

A special “Thank You” goes to Karl at Bayport Flower Houses, Sayville Flowers, Detail Designs, The Sayville Garden Club, Neighbors and Gardeners of Bayport Blue Point, Bayport Homemakers and countless others for giving their time and tremendous efforts in creating a magical weekend for all.

Join us next year where our theme will be “The 12 Days of Christmas” Happy New Year!

Enjoy a short video of the weekend’s events below:

Odds and ends….

Membership: More information will be forthcoming about membership so please hold off sending any payments at this time. Thank you!

General Membership Meeting: The next general membership meeting will be held on
MARCH 11th 2018
not January 11th as reported in our last newsletter. The BHA apologizes for the error and any inconvenience we may have caused with this incorrect date. Hoping to see everyone at the March meeting at the Bayport Blue Point Library. It will feature speaker Bill Bleyer who will speak about Sagamore Hill, President’s Theodore Roosevelt’s Summer White House. Save the date!

Nominations for the BHA Board of Directors:
The nominating committee is developing a slate of members for the 2018 board. There are several seats open; including directors. Any current BHA member may serve on the board. It requires only one meeting per month. If you would be willing to serve for the 2018 year, please contact John Amato at johnfamato@optonline.net.

We are also looking for members to serve on various committees throughout the year. You can work from home! If you have a particular skill or interest (house tour, special events, light clerical and organization) please contact us at BBPhistorical@gmail.com.

BHA Acquires Pencil Belonging to Charles Freiman

Thank you to Mrs. Janet Crampton for sending the BHA a mechanical pencil engraved with the “C. Freiman” on its side. Charles Freiman was one of the Freiman brothers who were prominent businessmen and residents of Bayport. They owned the Freiman Hotel, which is currently the Grey Horse Tavern. The Freiman Hotel served as a de facto train station when the railroad came through in the 1880s. While William Arthur served as station agent out of his residence and store on the north side of the tracks, The Freiman Hotel served travelers and guests. The pencil owned by Charles Freiman, may have been used at the front desk of the hotel.

BHA Archives Provide look into the Past

If you mention Shand’s store to many Bayport and Blue Point residents, they will smile and offer a few heartwarming anecdotes of their childhood days when grandpa or grandma shopped there. This was the place where you could have your groceries bagged and delivered. The place where Mr. Shand was there to greet you by name and talk for a while. Well, Shand’s store originated in Patchogue in 1911in the very building which currently houses the Brick House Brewery. In fact, you can still see the Shand’s sign painted on the west side of the Brick House building when heading East. In the BHA archives, we recently found a whole file of old Shand’s newspaper ads. We have attached one here for you enjoyment. Notice the year written on the smaller one in the top right corner, 1921. Enjoy.

01 Dec December 2017 Newsletter

Posted at 19:10h in news

December 2017 Newsletter ~

Christmas at Meadow Croft

BAYPORT HERITAGE ASSOCIATION

invites you to:

“A Silver and Gold Christmas”

Join us for an old-fashioned Christmas at Meadow Croft! This year’s theme is Silver and Gold. Mark your calendars for December 2nd and 3rd, 2017 from 12:00-4:00 for a wonderful Holiday event. Magnificent Dutch, Victorian and Edwardian Christmas decorations on display, vintage clothing and a special visit from St. Nicholas! Special exhibits for 2017. Cookies and hot chocolate will be served. The Roosevelt’s grand piano will fill the home with music for the season.

Holiday baskets, gift cards and all decorations will be raffled too!

Cost: $5.00 per adult, $3.00 for seniors and children up to age 12.

From all of us at the BHA;

Merry Christmas!!!

Nominations for the BHA Board of Directors

The nominating committee is developing a slate of members for the 2017 board. There are several seats open; including directors. Any current BHA member may serve on the board. It requires only one meeting per month. If you would be willing to serve for the 2017 year, please contact John Amato at johnfamato@optonline.net.

Boy Scout Camporee Visits Meadow Croft!

On Saturday, November 4, the Bayport Heritage Association welcomed over 200 Boy Scouts to Meadow Croft.
The day was part of the Scouts’ History Alive program, which makes local history an element of the Scouting experience. The program aims to be more than a visit to the local museum; it intends to teach youth interactively about the history of their community.
Camp was set up at the Grange in Sayville, where the Scouts toured the historic buildings and talked with period reenactors.
The kids then hiked south to the Roosevelt property and followed the old Roosevelt trail.
Once at Meadow Croft, they were treated to a tour of the house, garage, and carriage house by BHA members dressed in period attire.
Following the tour, the Scout patrols worked cooperatively, answering questions about the Roosevelt family and property to earn awards back at the Camporee.
The importance of programs such as this was demonstrated by the enthusiastic responses and interest of the kids.
Thanks to Blue Point resident and Boy Scout representative Brian McAuliff for including us in such a rewarding day!

General Membership meeting

Due to Christmas at Meadow Croft the first weekend in December, there is no membership meeting this month. We will resume our meetings in March. Please mark your calendars for upcoming meetings with these terrific speakers to learn more about local history:

March 11, 2018

Bill Bleyer: Sagamore Hill; Theodore Roosevelt’s summer White House

April 8, 2018

Diane Holliday: The Idle Hour Artist Colony of Oakdale

May 20, 2017

To be announced

Thank you!!!

The BHA is grateful to our many local business donors who willingly help and support the BHA in all of our endeavors.
We would like to publicly thank the follow local businesses and encourage you to patronize them as well:

Blackbirds Grille

The Fish Store

Satellite Pizza

Avocados

Sunny B Nails

Vamp Hair Studio

JT’s Café

Daisy Garden

Bayport Flower Houses

Pojero Family Chiropractic

Berry Fresh

Releve Dance Centre

Help wanted….

If you have an interest in Bayport History and would like to volunteer some time to provide a guided tour of Meadow Croft:
WE NEED YOU!
The association is in need of docents. It requires very little time, less than two hours a day, two days a month from June through October.
You will shadow one of our current knowledgeable docents to learn the rich history of Meadow Croft before you will lead a tour on your own.
If this sounds like something you may be interested in, please call Harriet Mihlstin at the BHA phone number.

15 Nov Christmas at Meadow Croft

Posted at 14:17h in news

“Christmas at Meadow Croft”

Dec. 2nd & 3rd, 2017.

We hope to see you all there.

Come see our display in the entrance of the

Bayport Blue Point Library.

02 Nov November 2017

Posted at 10:52h in news

Happy Autumn!

A message from our President; Mary Bailey:

30th Autumn House Tour

This year’s house tour was a huge success. We had more ticket sales this year than in years past and that is all thanks to the home owners of the six beautiful homes on the tour. They were all spectacular! A huge Thank You to our hosts : Rich Piekos, John and Jane Geoghan, Michael and Brittany Parrott, Saul and Sharon Zabell, The Behman Pond Estate, and Peter and Abby Maloney.

Also thanks to the many, many volunteers: The 72 house guides and the guides at Meadow Croft; Kristy Giacchetto and Connie Smith for helping organize the house guides; Angela Stelling for helping find homes for the tour; the antique car owners; Anna Dugan for gathering and organizing the cars ; The Sayville Garden Club for the beautiful pumpkin displays; Jim and Barbara Connell for donating the pumpkins for those displays; John and Laura Amato for numbering the homes on the tour: Jackie Fagan for collecting the raffle donation;, Leanne Berg for manning the refreshments and raffles at Meadow Croft, and my husband, Bill Bailey for the beautiful write ups of all the houses for the tour ticket books and for finding some of the homes for the tour!

It is volunteers that make the Bayport Heritage Association so successful. We couldn’t run without them! Thank you all for your hard work and dedication!

General Membership Meeting:

Sunday, November 12 from 2:00 to 4:00

at the Bayport-Blue Point Library

Consuelo and the Duke: The Wedding of the Century
You are cordially invited to attend the wedding of Consuelo Vanderbilt and the Duke of Marlborough – an event that sparked a media frenzy in 1895. Marked by paparazzi, screaming crowds, and family scandals, it was a harbinger of celebrity weddings to come. This presentation will walk you through the story of Consuelo and the Duke using contemporary newspaper accounts intertwined with the personal stories of those involved. The result is a true fairy tale of the Gilded Age, with great displays of wealth and ambition colliding with the human heart.

Join Oakdale historian Chris Kretz at our next general membership meeting on Sunday, November 12 from 2:00 to 4:00 at the Bayport-Blue Point Library for this fascinating presentation! BHA will also have some old maps of Bayport and Blue Point on display at this meeting.

Christmas at Meadow Croft

BAYPORT HERITAGE ASSOCIATION

invites you to:

“A Silver and Gold Christmas”

Join us on Saturday and Sunday, December 2nd and 3rd 2017, from 12:00-4:00

for a wonderful holiday event at Meadow Croft.

Musical selections will be played on the Roosevelt grand piano, magnificent Dutch, Victorian and Edwardian Christmas decorations will be on display throughout the estate. Special exhibits for 2017 will be on display. Cookies and hot chocolate will be served. Raffles and prizes as well as all decorations raffled off. There will also be vintage clothing on display and a visit from St. Nicholas! Pictures will be available.

Join us for this special holiday event!

Admission: $5.00 for adults, $3.00 for children up to 12 and seniors

Contact event chairperson Leanne Berg (631-235-1702) if you would like to volunteer to; stuff envelopes, be a docent for the evening, sell raffles or make phone calls to the winners, have a special display for our holiday theme or just need more information.

Looking forward to a wonderful festive time!

BHA Historian; Gene Horton

Local historian and BHA member Gene Horton has written another book! His latest venture is another historical book featuring stories about the local history of Bayport and Blue Point. Gene has been writing for a local newspaper, The Bayport-Blue Point Gazette for 15 years. “Yester-Years in Bayport & Blue Point” is a compilation of all of these wonderful historical articles in one publication. It will be on sale in about 3 weeks at The Bayport Flower Houses and the Bayport Blue Point Library. We hope you enjoy it! Thank you Gene for keeping the history of our towns alive!

Docents needed….

If you have an interest in Bayport History and would like to volunteer some time to provide a guided tour of Meadow Croft: WE NEED YOU! The association is in need of docents. It requires very little time, less than two hours a day, two days a month from June through October. You will shadow one of our current knowledgeable docents to learn the rich history of Meadow Croft before you will lead a tour on your own. If this sounds like something you may be interested in, please call Harriet Mihlstin at 631-472-4625.

05 Oct October 2017

Posted at 21:53h in news

General Membership Meeting

A Slideshow Stroll through Old Bayport

Join us at our next general membership meeting on Sunday, October 8 from 2:00 to 4:00 at the Bayport-Blue Point Library.
The guest speakers for this meeting will be our own Jim Connell and Gene Horton. The featured presentation for this meeting was developed in the 1990’s as part of a New York State initiative to designate historic zones in towns and villages. The project stalled due to lack of state funding, but several BHA members produced an excellent array of photos and written details about the old homes in Bayport. As you may know, Jim and Gene presented the first part of their program last year. This time they will take us on a slideshow stroll of Bayport Avenue and the downtown area. Come on down to the BBP Library and learn about the historic homes of your local neighbors and friends!

Save the Dates!

We have an exciting and interesting group of speakers this year for our general membership meetings. See the list below and be sure to mark your calendars!
October 8, 2017
Jim Connell and Gene Horton: A Slide Show Stroll through Old Bayport

November 12, 2017
Chris Kretz: The Wedding of the Century: The Marriage of Consuelo Vanderbilt of Idle Hour

March 11, 2018
Bill Bleyer: Sagamore Hill: Theodore Roosevelt’s Summer White House

April 8, 2018
Diane Holliday: The Idle Hour Artist Colony of Oakdale

Autumn House Tour

The BHA has sponsored an Autumn House Tour showcasing the beautiful homes of residents in both Bayport and Blue Point for 30 years . This year is no exception! We already have commitments from our neighbors and friends for 6 homes which will make this years tour outstanding! The date of the tour will be October 22nd and tickets are now available. Learn about local history and view 6 lovely historic homes. Meadow Croft will be serving refreshments and tours of this home will be available.
Please note that out of respect for the homeowners, children under 12, high heels, food or drink, and cameras will not be permitted. Tickets are on sale now for $30.00 and can be purchased at Bayport Flower Houses, BBP Library and Century 21 Bay’s Edge Realty on Main Street in Sayville. The tour will start at 1:00 and end at 5:00. If you are willing to help please call or email us. Contact information found below.
There are a limited number of tickets so purchase them early so you will not miss out. Looking forward to another wonderful BHA event!

Christmas at Meadow Croft

Save the dates! Christmas at Meadow Croft will be December 2nd and 3rd from 12:00-4:00. The theme this year will be Silver and Gold! Volunteers are needed to help with this event. Please call Leanne Berg if you are interested or have a display that fits our theme or you would like to help in any way. Her number is 631-235-1702. There will be raffles, and decorations and ornaments will be raffled off at end of 2nd day. Winner need not be present. Refreshments will be served, pictures with St Nicholas, piano music and more!

Tours at Meadow Croft

October is the last month to tour Meadow Croft, the historic summer home of President Theodore Roosevelt’s cousin, John Ellis Roosevelt. Meadow Croft is open every weekend from 2-4:00 with a guided tour by trained docents. There is also a special display by artist and Bayport resident, John Hodge. His gorgeous paintings with 3D art carvings make a unique and visually stimulating display. There also has been many updates to Meadow Croft, including room improvements and displays. Come on down if you haven’t been here to enjoy what life was like in the 1910’s.

Home at 473 Middle Road

The BHA and the local community are pleased to see that the residence at 473 Middle Road is under construction after a September 2016 fire. You might recall, that owner Ron Provenzano and his family escaped harm in the early morning fire when passers-by awakened them to exit the burning house. The structure is one of the earliest homes on Middle Road and Bayport. It was built by Lawrence Edwards for his daughter Mary and her husband Franklin B. Smith, son of Silas Smith. Lawrence Edwards is one of the early large land owners in Bayport. He also built the lovely Greek revival home at 463 Middle Road, right next door, for his son Lawrence B. Edwards circa 1852. Mr. Provenzano’s new structure is considerably larger than the original small home. However, it is obvious that he is keeping the charming front façade and balcony over the front door. The property is pictured on a map from 1873 in the Bayport Heritage book on page 4 and is approximately 100 x 300 ft. The map also shows a cemetery on the west edge of the property. In a conversation with Mr. Provenzano about the cemetery, he acknowledged knowing about the early burial ground but never saw any grave markers on his property. Even Islip Town historian, George Muckenbeck, has not been able to verify this as an actual cemetery. The BHA and local residents wish Mr. Provenzano and his family good luck on his beautiful new home.