House Tour, 2018

Sunday October 21, 2018! 

Bayport- Blue Point Heritage Autumn House tour!
 

Homes are chosen for a variety of reasons such as: 

Historic interest, unique construction, 

creative decorating, or just a comfortable balance.

Would you like to include YOUR house on the tour? 

It's possible!
Email: BBPhistorical@gmail.com

   🏡 

~ Summer Reminders ~

Camp Tabot: display and reception

The BHA has an interesting and new display currently set up at Meadow Croft. 

Camp Tabat, which was located on the property at the end of Bergen Lane in Blue Point was a children's summer day camp. 

Please join us (MEMBERS ONLY) 

for a reception this 

Friday June 22nd from 7-9:00 PM 

to hear Linda Tabat share her memories and experiences from this wonderful time in our local history. 

Light refreshments will be served. For questions, please call Jen Economos at 631-235-9342. 

More information about Camp Tabat can be found below.

Camp Tabat, Inc., a children's summer day camp, was located in Blue Point on the Great South Bay. The property was formally part of the Suydam estate. The original building was from Camp Upton in Yaphank. Renovations to the building included a dining room, kitchen, arts and crafts room, game room, lockers,and showers. Children, ranging in age from three years old to teenagers, attended camp for eight weeks of the summer.

The camp maintained facilities for swimming, diving, sailing, boating, canoeing, water skiing, horseback riding, archery, tennis, arts and crafts, music, dancing, games, and sports. Ben Tabatchnik, who owned and operated the camp with his wife Kitty, was well-known in the community for his many and varied abilities in the field of education. The camp was in operation for twenty-six years. Today people still have fond memories of their experiences at Camp Tabat.

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. Tickets are going fast! Hope you can join us.

Tours of Meadow Croft....

Don't forget! Tours of the Meadow Croft Estate are happening all summer long. Every Saturday and Sunday from 2:00-4:00, June through October. Trained docents will share the rich history of what life was like from 1890. Learn about John Ellis Roosevelt and his family and tour the grand estate. 

Hope to see you there!

---

June 2018 Newsletter

~ 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.

Bayport Heritage Association

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bayportbluepointheritage.org/

Twitter @BayportHistory

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

  Email: bbphistorical@gmail.com 

  631-472-4625
 Blog:  bayportheritage.blogspot.com

---

Reminders: May 2018

General Membership meeting

The next BHA general membership meeting will be 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. We hope you can join us for this informative discussion.

Memorial Day Parade

The Bayport Heritage Association will again march in the Bayport Memorial Day Parade on May 28th 2018. If you would like to join us, the line up begins on Connetquot Rd before 11:00 and the parade will march to the Bayport Memorial Park where the BHA will present a wreath. All members are invited to march. More information can be obtained by calling 631-472-4625.

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 $___

May 2018 Newsletter

~ 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!

Edwards Homestead	St. Anne's Church	Meadow Croft Estate

Meadow Croft	St. Anne's Church	Grey Horse Tavern

A Special Thank You!!!

A special THANK YOU goes out to the Sullivan Family; John, Michelle and Reyna, for the beautiful flowers under the county sign on Middle Road coming in to Meadow Croft. It always looks so festive as you arrive.

Many people volunteer their time and expertise to help support the efforts of the BHA to maintain the historic homestead of Meadow Croft. Thank you Sullivan family for your efforts!

Bayport Heritage Association

Facebook @BayportHistory

New website launching on May 15th!
New and Improved!!

ASCHS Quarterly Meeting

ASCHS

Quarterly meeting

All are welcome!

A wonderful opportunity to share in some local history! Hosted by the Bayport Heritage Association and the Sayville Historical Society. All are welcome!


ITINERARY ASCHS QUARTERLY MEETING
Saturday, April 28, 2018
· RSVP by Wednesday, April 25 -
President Georgette Grier-Key eastvillechs@gmail.com
· Bring a $45 check to registration, includes lunch

8:30 – 9:00 REGISTRATION Edwards Farm, Edwards Street, Sayville (Corner of Edwards St. & Collins Ave.)
· Light refreshments
· Welcome by Mary Bailey, President of Bayport- Blue Point Heritage Association

9:00 – 10:30 Edwards Farm, Edwards Street, Sayville (Corner of Collins Avenue)
· The first European-Americans to inhabit the area we call Sayville were John and Sarah Edwards who leased land around 1761. They built a home that later burned down at what is now the corner of Edwards Street and Collins Avenue. After the American Revolution, the family purchased about a thousand acres from the bay north to the Three Mile Line. Their son, Matthew, built the original portion of the Edwards Homestead about 1785. The house was expanded over the years.
· A second building, called the Annex, will also be open. It contains a collection of farming tools and images that provide a good sense of the skills the Edwards mastered and the effort that was needed to feed the family, as well as their livestock.

10:30 – 11:30 St. Ann’s Church, 257 Middle Road, Sayville
· St. Ann’s was designed by Isaac H. Green, Jr. and built in 1888. Constructed of granite in the Norman style, it has massive walls and a round arch over the recessed doors. The seven stained glass windows in the apse were designed by J.A. Holzer, chief designer for Tiffany. The five foot wide Rose window over the entrance is also by Tiffany. This handsome church, the first stone house of worship built in Suffolk County, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

11:30 – 1:00 Meadow Croft, 299 Middle Road, Sayville
· Meadow Croft is a rare example of South Shore summerhouse architecture prior to the turn of the 19th century. The summer estate of John Ellis Roosevelt and his family, Meadow Croft is comprised of a 19th century farmhouse and a magnificent 1891 addition designed by Isaac H. Green, Jr. of Sayville. Additional structures are a carriage house, an auto house, a caretaker's cottage, and a swimming pool. John’s cousin, President Theodore Roosevelt, visited the home for lunch on July 23, 1903.
· The house is on the National Register of Historic Places.

1:00 – 4:00: LUNCH Grey Horse Tavern 291 Bayport Avenue, Bayport
· In May 2008, the Grey Horse Tavern opened its doors. Calling Bayport its home, GHT set up shop in a lovingly restored landmark building that has been a tavern ever since 1868. Owners Irene Dougal and Linda Ringhouse named their establishment after Hanko, a grey Palomino horse that previous owners Hans and Katy Rohde would lead from the barn right up to the bar!

Luncheon Buffet at Grey Horse Tavern (included in registration fee)
Salad: GHT Chefs Signature Salad
Platters: Marinated Breast of Chicken, Rosemary and Lemon Scented
Herb Crusted Pork Tenderloin
Pasta: Rigatoni with Tomatoes, Prosciutto, Peas, Parmesan
Dessert: Cookie and Brownie Platter
Soda, coffee, tea & decaf included

April 2018 Newsletter

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.

March Newsletter, 2018

~ 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

 

 

Follow us on Social Media!
Facebook: Bayport Heritage Association
Twitter: @BayportHistory

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

bbphistorical@gmail.com 

631-472-4625

Feb. 25, 2018 Meeting

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.

February 2018 Newsletter

~ 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

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