Bayport Blue Point Heritage Association: May 2018 Newsletter

General Membership Meeting

The next BHA general membership meeting will be on Sunday, May 20th at 2:00 at the BBP library. Our speaker will be George Munkenbeck, Town of Islip historian.

The Birth of a Unique Town - Islip
The early history of Islip Town, originally know as Islip Grange, is at best a convoluted story that is not easy to unravel. Much of that has to do with the turbulent times that created Islip and the efforts of its founding families to survive during a time when each message from Great Britain brought news of political change. Join the Islip Town historian for a glimpse into those days that gave birth to a very unique place that if one is aware, the stamp of those founding days can still be seen in boundaries, open spaces, and how the Town developed in later years.

Membership now due...

After careful thought and consideration, the BHA is now requesting membership dues. A postcard will be mailed shortly to every home in both Bayport and Blue Point with the correct information needed for payment. However, if you would like to pay for this year, please mail payment to Bayport Heritage Association PO Box 4 Bayport NY 11705. Please include your name, address and email on all correspondence. Make checks payable to Bayport Heritage Association. Any questions can be directed to bbphistorical@gmail.com. Thank you!

Membership Type

Annual $25.00

Senior $10.00

Corporate $100.00

Donation $___

BHA Recognizes Historic Building

On June 2nd 2018, the BHA will place a historic marker in front of one of our local treasures - the William Arthur building on Bayport Ave. just north of the railroad tracks. This project has been in the works for several years. The building was owned for many years by the Ruddy family who operated their real estate business there. The Ruddys sold the building to attorneys Bruce Vetri and Joseph LaCapra who now operate their law firm from the building. Well, the building has a storied past.

The building began its life in Blue Point on Blue Point Ave. as the residence of William B. Arthur. Mr. Arthur moved the building west to Bayport Ave. in anticipation of the railroad coming through. He ran a general store at the location and became the first postmaster. Once the railroad set up a station there, Arthur was appointed station master and the Freiman Hotel on the south side of the tracks received travelers from New York city.
To mark this building as a local historic building, the BHA will install a beautiful iron marker on June 2nd at 11:00 am. We thank the new owners, Mr. Vetri and Mr. LaCapra, for their cooperation with the project. The ceremony will include Mary Kate Mullen and several other TOI council members. Please join us if you have the time. The BHA plans to mark other historic buildings around our town.

Open House for the King of Instruments

Join us for a demonstration and 'tour' of an historic pipe organ. As part of the New York Landmarks Conservancy's annual Sacred Sites Open House, Sayville Congregational Church members will be hosting a demonstration and 'tour' of their historic pipe organ. Guests will have the opportunity to learn how individual pipes are constructed and how each produces its unique sound, as well as having a demonstration of the workings of the organ console. Participants will then have the opportunity to 'poke their heads' in the pipe chamber as individual pipes are played. Finally, sit back and hear the power of the King of Instruments as we 'pull out all the stops' for some favorite organ pieces.

The program will repeat about every twenty minutes on both days. There is no charge, no need for reservations and guests of all ages are welcome. So mark your calendars, tell your friends ad come take advantage of this unique opportunity.

The Sayville Congregational Church can be located on 131 Middle Road in Sayville. The date and times for this special event are; Saturday May 5th from 2:00-4:00 and Sunday May 6th from 12:00-2:00 PM. Hope to see you there!

Meadow Croft's Heirloom Garden

**Garden Help needed **
Meadow Croft's heirloom garden is in need of some hands to dig in the dirt. The garden is a replica of the original colonial Revival garden dating back to the early 1900's. Our new master gardener, Anne Soper, has been hard at work getting the heirloom garden ready for the season, but she can't do it alone! If you can spare some time and muscle, please call Anne at 631-363-4731.

ASCHS Quarterly meeting...

The April ASCHS Quarterly meeting was hosted by Sayville Historical and Bayport Heritage Association. We toured Edwards Homestead, St. Ann’s Church, Meadow Croft and finished the tour with lunch at the Grey Horse Tavern in Bayport. At the Meadow Croft estate, Frank Giebfried and Joe Novak gave tours while Ginnie Novak welcomed all who came in. The Honorable Peter Fox Cohalan spoke about how Suffolk and NYS were intricate in the rebuilding of Meadow Croft in 1985 and Richard Martin spoke about the joint effort between Bayport Heritage Association and Suffolk Co. have held in keeping Meadow Croft up and running. Connie Currie (Sayville Historian) spoke at St. Ann's Church about their history and Frank shared with everyone the history of Grey Horse Tavern. There were about about 40 guests who attended this meeting and tour. A wonderful time was had by all!