Bayport Blue Point Heritage Association: January 2021 Newsletter

Friday, January 1, 2021

January 2021 Newsletter

Happy New Year!

All of us at the Bayport Blue Point Heritage Association hope you had a wonderful holiday season and enjoyed special memories with family and friends....of course in small groups, masked, and 6 feet apart. We had a busy, productive and extremely challenging year and managed to accomplish a great deal to support our mission of preserving the rich history of our wonderful hamlets. Of course we could not do any of this without the support of our community; both families, friends and local businesses, especially in a pandemic! We thank you ALL for a wonderful year and look forward to 2021! Happy HEALTHY New Year!

Christmas Raffle at Meadow Croft

The raffle was amazing! It was a huge success with 13 happy winners. Winners were selected on four consecutive Sunday evenings during live drawings streamed on our Facebook page. Our board members provided the festive holiday spirit. Thanks to Mary Bailey, Leanne Berg, and Beth Lamarca for your efforts! A special thanks to all who donated and congratulations to our winners!

In Bayport during WW 2

A new feature in the monthly newsletter. These short articles were first printed in the monthly Bayport Blue Point Gazette. They were written by Gene Horton and reprinted with permission.

July 2016

Imagine the scene in this old photograph. The photo was taken in February 1943 at what today is the Grey Horse Tavern (now JT's Farmhouse). In the old days, it was Gene Amann's "Bayport House."

This photo is from the archives of the BBPHA. It was donated by Gene's cousin, Shirley McLaughlin in 1992. In her 1992 note attached to the photo, Shirley McLaughlin wrote: "This picture was donated by my cousin, Doris Hanson, of Vero Beach Florida (formerly of Bayport). It was taken on the occasion of an anniversary party for her parents, Retta and Arnold J. Hanson, Sr., which was held at Gene Amann's Bayport House. The horse-drawn vehicle was used to transport out-of-town guests from the Bayport LIRR station (there was gas rationing at that time, so pleasure-driving from the city was frowned upon)."

The sign on the side of the horse drawn carriage reads:

GENE AMANN'S, BAYPORT HOUSE, R.R. SERVICE

The Suffolk County News dated February 19, 1943, contained this article: "A group of friends of Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Hanson of Oakwood Avenue, Bayport, gave them a surprise dinner party at Gene Amann's Bayport House on Sunday in celebration of their 20th wedding anniversary. The guests who arrived by train were met at the station by a horse and carriage and taken to the hotel."

Plaster work at Meadow Croft

In last month's newsletter, we mentioned that some much needed interior improvements were to begin inside Meadow Croft. This includes some plaster work. Martin LaValle is repairing the plaster and painting the hallway at the top of the servants staircase. The only bathroom on the first floor (that was for John Ellis Roosevelt to use when coming in from canoeing or painting outside in the Artist Cottage) is being completely repaired and painted so it can be added to the House Tour come the spring. We are looking forward to this work being completed!

Nominations for the BBPHA

The nominating committee is developing a slate of members for the 2021 board. There are several seats open; including directors. Any current paid BBPHA member may serve on the board. It requires only one meeting per month. If you would be willing to serve for the 2021 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.