Happy New Year!
We would like to wish a Happy Healthy New Year to all of our members. It is with sincere gratitude we say 'Thank You' to our many volunteers who continue to keep the history of Meadow Croft and the important work of preservation alive in our community.
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Christmas At Meadow Croft
On December 3rd and 4th hundreds of people and families came out to enjoy Christmas at Meadow Croft. Chairperson Leann Berg was so pleased with the turnout and the support from the many, many volunteers and our charitable vendors who donated items for our raffles. Meadow Croft was warm and inviting as sounds of the holidays drifted through the rooms courtesy of volunteers who played holiday classics on the Roosevelt piano. Old St. Nick was available for photos and hot chocolate and cookies tasted perfect!
Thank you again to our many volunteers and donors and we look forward to next year where the theme will be Silver and Gold!
General Membership Meeting
Sunday, January 8th 2017
Bayport Blue Point Public Library- 2:00pm
South Shore's Gilded Age, Presented by Chris Kretz
The South Shore's Gilded Age looks at the development of the Island's original Gold Coast, a stretch of great estates and private preserves clustered around Islip through the second half of the 19th century. Chris will highlight some of the colorful personalities and lost mansions of this period in history.
Chris Kretz is an academic librarian and local history podcaster who has been researching the south shore of Long Island since 2005. He is the co-author of Oakdale from Arcadia Publishing and sits on the board of the Long Island Radio and Television Historical Society as well as the Oakdale Historical Society.
Chris Kretz is co-host and producer of the Long Island History Project, a podcast that features interviews with historians, librarians, collectors and others interested in Long Island history. He is also the head of Stony Brook University's Southampton Library.
Nominations for BHA Board of Directors
The nominating committee is developing a slate of members for the 2017 board. There are several seats open; including Vice President and 2 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.
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.
Historic Plaque
The BHA is committed to placing other historic plaque in our community similar to the one located on Middle Road in front of John Ellis Roosevelt's Meadow Croft Estate.
Our next project is to place a historical marker at Bayport's first post office and train station, which is currently owned by the Ruddy brothers, houses their real estate business and is located on the north side of the tracks on the east side of Bayport Ave. This building is one which needs preserving and highlighting as one of our local treasures. William B. Arthur moved this building to its current location from Blue Point Ave. in 1869. He lived in the building and ran a general store, post office and was the first station agent.
The new plaque has arrived and BHA will hold a ceremony in the spring to celebrate placement of this historic marker. We have worked closely with the Town of Islip historian, George Muckenbeck, to ensure that all historic information is accurate. Stay tuned!
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 631-472-2118.
Membership
Membership for 2017 is now due. The rates have not increased from last year:
Family $25.00
Individual $15.00
Seniors $10.00
Payment can be made by mailing a check to:
Bayport Heritage Association
P.O. Box 4
Bayport, NY 11705
Please include your name, address, phone number and email address. You can also pay in person at our next General Membership meeting to be held at the Bayport BluePoint Library on January 8th 2017 at 2:00.
We hope to see you there!
