Bayport Blue Point Heritage Association: June 2018 Newsletter

Meadow Croft Estate Tours

The Bayport Heritage Association will be hosting Estate Tours every weekend starting in June and running through October. Trained docents will be showing the estate on Saturdays and Sundays from 2:00-4:00. There have been many updates and changes in recent months as the BHA volunteers work tirelessly to make Meadow Croft even better!
We hope you and your family have the chance to come and visit and learn a little about the local history and home of John Ellis Roosevelt.

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.

The building began its life on Blue Point Ave. as the residence of entrepreneur William B. Arthur. In 1867, when Mr. Arthur heard of plans for the railroad to run east to Bayport as a planned stop, he contracted to have his house moved to its present location on the north side of the tracks. Mr. Arthur planned to take advantage of the business that summer visitors would bring to his general store.

In a written history of Bayport, Eva Gillette recalled watching the horses pull the Arthur building west on the South Country Road. Once the building was set and the Railroad established a stop there, they appointed Arthur the station ticket agent. The Frieman Hotel was on the south side of the tracks and was a convenient place to rent a room upon disembarking the train from Manhattan or Brooklyn. The train would also bring U.S. mail and drop it off with Mr. Arthur and established Bayport's first Post Office where residents would pick up and drop off letters.

The building has had many owners through the years. The Ruddy family ran its real estate business there for many years. The current owners, Bruce Vetri and Joseph LaCapra, attorneys, have done some nice renovations and updating. They support this project and are happy to be a part of it. 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.

Help Wanted...

The BHA is always looking for volunteers or new members to fulfill the vision and mission which is dedicated to the preservation, history and future of our BBP hamlet. If you are interested and have some time, we need you! All levels of help welcomed.

** Tour Guides (docents)** ~ if you love history then we have a job for you! Docents or house guides are needed two days a month, June through October, to show the historic Meadow Croft to visitors. It is not much of a time commitment and training will be provided. For more information or if you are willing to help, please call Harriet Mihlstin at 631-472-2118

** Garden help ** ~ Meadow Croft's heirloom garden is in need of some hands to dig in the dirt. This garden is a replica of the original garden at the Meadow Croft estate dating back to the early 1900's. Email us if you are interested, BBPhistorical@gmail.com.

**Autumn House Tour** ~ Although it is months away, we are looking for old, interesting and beautiful homes to showcase on the BHA's annual Autumn House Tour held in October each year. If you or anyone you know in Bayport or Blue Point would allow us to 'show off' your home or if you would like more information, please email us at BBPhistorical@gmail.com.

Historic Moonlight Cruise

Mark your calendars!

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.

John Amato and Frank Geibfreid will team up to highlight the historic sites along the way. The boat will then head up the Connetquot River and make a stop at the Snapper Inn for cocktails. We will head back to Brown's River under a beautiful full moon and dock at 9:30. Tickets are $30.00 pp which includes the cruise only. Cocktails at the Snapper are on your own. You are allowed to bring some snacks in a cooler on the ferry (no alcohol). Cruisers will park at the Sayville Ferry freight parking lot free of charge. Please send checks made payable to the Bayport Heritage Association and an old-fashioned hand written note with the names of those sailing, phone and email addresses and the correct total on the check. You can send your payment and this information to: BHA PO Box 4 Bayport NY 11705. In the event of rain, the trip will be cancelled. Hope you can join us.

Membership

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 $___

Memorial Day

The BHA proudly marched and presented a wreath at this year's Memorial Day Parade. It was a cool overcast day yet the community came out to support this event. This is the 71st year that the Bayport Fire Department has presided over the parade. There were wonderful musical ensembles, including the BBP HS band and Bob Draffin from the Bayport Civic Association was the Master of Ceremonies for the Day.
Bayport has had community members pay the ultimate sacrifice since the Civil War and we will never forget their devotion and service. May we remain worthy of all they have given us.

Summer Concert...

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.

Friday, June 1, 2018

June 2018 Newsletter