Bayport Blue Point Heritage Association

The Bayport Heritage Association was formed in 1983 and is dedicated to the preservation of the history of Bayport. The association has an extensive collection of archival photographs, vintage clothing, artifacts and books. Through the years, the group has been particularly active in the restoration of Meadow Croft, a John Ellis Roosevelt summer home and now a historical museum on the border of Bayport and Sayville. The association provides lectures and resources- educational, historical, environmental and social programs and services for the community and interested public. In June 2018, Blue Point joined the Association to include both communities.

Tour Meadow Croft information here.

Saturday, August 10, 2019

August 2019 Newsletter

General Membership meetings...plan ahead!

Our general membership meetings for the year will begin in September. Please mark your calendar for the first few meetings. As always, meetings will begin at 2 pm at the Bayport Blue Point Library. Remember, due to our Christmas open house at Meadow Croft, there are no meetings in December and January. Future dates will be added as they are confirmed. See you soon!

September 8: The story of former Bayport resident and renowned lithographer Stow Wegenroth.
October 13: Farming through the Ages
November 10: Amazing Women and How They Got the Vote

Historic Boat Tour ...... SOLD OUT!

Thank you to the many, many people who purchased tickets to the Historic Boat tour!
This is going to be an epic event and it is SOLD OUT!

The Great South Bay is not only a beautiful part of our communities summer fun but it has significant and historic homes located on the bay as well as a tremendous history to share! The cruise will leave on August 7th 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 to check in.

The cruise will begin from the Sayville Ferry dock on Brown's River. We will cruise out to the bay as John Amato and Frank Geibfried team up to highlight the historic sites along the shore in Bayport, Blue Point and the communities on Fire Island. 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 moon and dock at 9:30. 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.

In the event of rain, this trip will be cancelled and refunds will be issued.

FREE Summer Concert: lazy Bunny Ukulele Band

On August 22nd the BBPHA will again host a FREE concert for our friends and neighbors! The feature act is the Lazy Bunny Ukulele Band. This will be held at Bayport Memorial Park. Bring a lawn chair, some beverages and snacks, and some bug spray as you sit back and toe tap to the melodic sounds of this fun band. It starts at 6:00 so don't be late! All ages invited to attend. Did we mention it was FREE! Hope to see you there.

Dunphy foundation visits Meadow Croft

On July 26th, BBPHA executive board member Frank Geibfried and President Mary Bailey met with board representatives of the “John C. Dunphy Private Foundation” for an estate tour of Meadow Croft. In accordance with its founders’ wishes, the foundation is dedicated to improving the quality of life for the people and service organizations within our local communities – and wherever the spirit may lead. The BBPHA has applied for and received grant money from this worth and generous organization in the past, and we hope to again in the future! A good time was had by all. Thank you!

Odds and ends...

A few reminders:

Meadow Croft House Tours: Historic tours of the Roosevelt Estate are happening every weekend from now through October. The times are 2:00-4:00 on Saturday and Sunday. See how life was in the early 1900's as you experience a guided tour with a trained docent. Always something new to see and learn!

Sayville Yacht Club display: A wonderful display of memorabilia from the Sayville Yacht Club is currently on display. Did you know John Ellis Roosevelt was the first commodore? Come on down to MC and check it out!

Autumn House Tour: Our annual house tour is scheduled for this October and while we have a few homes to showcase we still need a few more. If you have a historic home or one that is unique, or architecturally different, please reach out to the email below. We would love to showcase your home! One of our biggest fundraisers!

Thanks to the Flat Leavers: On July 25th, the BBPHA provided our first FREE summer concert featuring the Flat Leavers. It was a beautiful night, great music and a good time was had by all. Thanks to BBPHA member Dave Harenberg who organizes our summer concerts.

Membership: As a gentle reminder; your membership is now due. Your support allows the BBPHA to continue to preserve and celebrate the heritage of our great communities. Please consider joining today! Annual family fee is $25.00. Seniors are $10.00. Corporate Accounts are $100.00 and we accept any monetary donations you care to provide. They can be sent to PO Box 4 Bayport NY 11705 or a new PayPal feature on our new website! Information is found below. Thank you to all of our long time members and many, many new friends who have joined! Your support goes a long way! Thank you!

BBP Heritage Association

Meadow Croft Estate, Middle Road, Sayville, NY, USA bbphistorical@gmail.com 631-472-4625 BayportBluePointHeritage.com

Friday, July 12, 2019

Boat Cruise, August 7, 2019

Back by popular demand!

Join us on this historic boat tour leaving from the Sayville Ferry Dock.

August 7, 2019 at 6pm.

We will cruise out to the bay as John Amato and Frank Geibfried, board members of the BBPHA will team up to highlight the historic sites along the shore in Bayport and Blue Point.

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 back in Sayville at 9:30.

Tickets are $30 per person which includes the cruise only.

www.bayportbluepointheritage.org/events

Cocktails at the Snapper Inn 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.

In the event of rain, this event will be cancelled and you will be refunded your money.

A PayPal account is not needed to purchase tickets online, credit cards are accepted.

Your name will be on a master list which we will check at the ferry terminal upon boarding.

Monday, July 1, 2019

July 219 Newsletter

Summer Solstice Walking Tour

After a year off, residents were once again able to mark the beginning of the summer season with a stroll through historic Blue Point, sponsored by the Bayport-Blue Point Public Library. This year’s tour was held on June 21st, 2019 and led by Frank Giebfried of BBPHA, with help and guidance from our local historian Gene Horton.

The tour began at Blue Point Avenue Dock, and along the way many beautiful homes were visited, as well as the sites of the great summer boarding houses from last century. Some of the historic spots included Avery’s Five Mile Look Hotel, Grandview Gardens Private Beach, the Monterey Hotel, the South Bay House, and the Megill estate. We also visited the homes of Ballington Booth, jazz clarinetist Johnny Mince, and Nobel Prize recipient Raymond Davis Jr.
Thanks to Brittney Parrot for allowing us to walk the property of the Megill estate, and also to Jason Borowski for allowing us access to Grandview Gardens Private Beach. We also appreciate Wendy Bennett from the library for her help in organizing the tour, and for arranging access to the grounds of the future library.

Finally, special thanks to Gene Horton for developing these tours and starting this wonderful tradition. We hope he’ll be back next year. See you all then!

Upcoming events....

Mark your calendars! Some fun family events are happening during the summer!

Summer Concerts: The BBPHA will once again provide two spectacular summer concerts FREE for our communities to enjoy. The first concert is scheduled on July 25th from 6-8 at Bayport Memorial Park. This concert will feature The Flat Leavers! The second concert will be on August 22nd and returning will be The Lazy Bunny Ukulele Band. Mark your calendars! Always a fun time for the whole family! Did we mention they were FREE?!

Historic Boat Tour: The Great South Bay is not only a beautiful part of our communities summer fun but it has significant and historic homes located on the bay as well as a tremendous history to share! Join us for a historic boat tour leaving from Sayville's Ferry dock. This tour will be scheduled for August 7th.

We will cruise out to the bay as John Amato and Frank Geibfreid, board members of the BBPHA will team up to highlight the historic sites along the shore in Bayport and Blue Point. 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 back in Sayville at 9:30. Tickets are $30 per person 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. In the event of rain, this event will be cancelled and you will be refunded your money.

A PayPal account is not needed to purchase tickets online, credit cards are accepted. Your name will be on a master list which we will check at the ferry terminal upon boarding. To check out our webpage and get more information, click here.

Autum House Tour

Each October, the BBPHA hosts a historical house tour of homes right in our community. This is our biggest fundraiser which allows us to complete updates, repairs and displays to Meadow Croft and offer free programs like the summer concerts for our friends in the BBP community. While 3 months away, this venture takes a tremendous amount of planning and preparation and WE NEED YOU! If you would like to help or volunteer or have a historic, interesting or architectural significant home that we could showcase, please contact us. Contact info found below.

Kite Day

On Sunday June 23rd, BBPHA held it's first informal event of the summer season, Kite Day. It was a beautiful day and we thank everyone who came out to enjoy the gorgeous weather and fly a kite. Kids of all ages had a fun time!

Don't forget: Tours of the Meadow Croft estate are happening every weekend from June through October from 2:00-4:00. Hope you can come down to check out all of the renovations and new exhibits this year. See you there!

Academy Street Visits Meadow Croft

On a beautiful spring day under sunny skies, about 75 students and their teachers from Academy Street Elementary School in the BBP School district walked to Meadow Croft. They were met by trained docents who divided up the group and shared the rich history of John Ellis Roosevelt's summer home. Students loved the tour and marveled that President Teddy Roosevelt visited his cousin and the property on horseback all the way from Oyster Bay. They had lots of questions and returned to Academy Street with a new found respect for a piece of local history, found right in our own backyard. Thanks for visiting kids!

A special THANK YOU!

A special shout out to our friends and neighbors the Sayville Fire Department! On June 30th a quick moving, terrible squall developed over parts of Suffolk County. The weather rapidly turned for the worse as large, dark clouds moved in. The wind vigorously picked up and hail followed by rain began to fall as strong winds blew through our area.

A tour group was visiting Meadow Croft and while they had shelter from the storm many trees toppled down and one blocked the entrance/exit to the property. A call was made to the Fire Department and they quickly came with their equipment to help with this problem. The good news is no one was hurt and in a short time, the entrance was once again open.

Thank you again to our heroes; The Sayville Fire Department!

Saturday, June 1, 2019

June 2019 Newsletter

Welcome to the summer season!

What is one to say about June, the time of perfect young summer, the fulfillment of the promise of the earlier months, and with as yet no sign to remind one that its fresh young beauty will ever fade. ~Gertrude Jekyll

Welcome to summer! Briny breezes, longer days, flowers blooming, birds singing and sun shining! All vivid images of a great season ahead. At the BBPHA, we are excited to begin what we consider our most exciting time of year as well.

Summer Tours: Today starts the Estate Tours! They are given every weekend starting in June and running through October. Trained docents will be showing the Meadow Croft estate on Saturdays and Sundays from 2:00-4:00. There have been many updates and changes in recent months as the BBPHA 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.

Memorial Day Parade

It was a beautiful day for a parade and for honoring all those who served and sacrificed for our freedoms. Special thanks go to these members of the BBPHA for attending. This is the 72nd 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 and Blue Point 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.

Mark your calendars!

Kite Day: A fun family day! June 23rd at 1:00. Bring your kite and a picnic lunch and enjoy! Fly your kite on the front lawn at Meadow Croft. Kids of all ages invited to attend. BYOK (bring your own kite) Hope to see you there! This event will be cancelled in the event of rain.

Summer Concerts: The BBPHA will once again provide two spectacular summer concerts FREE for our communities to enjoy. The first concert is scheduled on July 25th from 6-8 at Bayport Memorial Park. This concert will feature The Flat Leavers! The second concert will be on August 22nd and returning will be The Lazy Bunny Ukulele Band. Mark your calendars! Always a fun time for the whole family!

Historic Boat Tour: The Great South Bay is not only a beautiful part of our communities' summer fun but it has significant historic homes located on the bay as well as a tremendous history to share! Join us for a historic boat tour leaving from Sayville's Ferry dock. This tour will be scheduled for August 7th. More information on pricing and details for this evening to follow.

Autumn House Tour: Each October, the BBPHA hosts a historical house tour of homes right in our community. This is our biggest fundraiser which allows us to complete updates, repairs and displays to Meadow Croft and offer free programs like the summer concerts for our friends in the BBP community. While 4 months away, this venture takes a tremendous amount of planning and preparation and WE NEED YOU! If you would like to help or volunteer or have a historic, interesting or architectural significant home that we could showcase, please contact us.

Help wanted!

The BBPHA 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 BBPHA'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.

Membership now due...

It's that time of year! The BBPHA is now requesting your membership dues. If you would like to pay for this year, please mail payment to Bayport Blue Point Heritage Association PO Box 4 Bayport NY 11705. Please include your name, address and email on all correspondence. Make checks payable to Bayport Blue Point Heritage Association. You can also make payment directly from our webpage which can be found here . Any questions can be directed to bbphistorical@gmail.com. Thank you to all of our generous members! New members welcome!

Membership Type

Annual $25.00

Senior $10.00

Corporate $100.00

Donation $___

Tuesday, May 14, 2019

Reminder: Sneak Peek!

Join us!

Every weekend from June through October, trained docents offer House Tours of the historic Meadow Croft estate. This fall and winter, the members of the BBPHA have been hard at work making improvements and updating rooms and displays made possible by donations and special events. This year, we would like to offer a special "Sneak Peek" for only a limited number of guests to be held on Friday evening, May 31st from 7:00-9:00 PM. A personalized tour will be offered and refreshments will be served. Tickets for this special event can be purchased online only at $25.00 per person. You can find the webpage by clicking here. You can also reach us at 631.472.4625 or email bbphistorical@gmail.com.

We hope you can join us for this special "Sneak Peek" event or sometime this season! Great things are happening at Meadow Croft all the time!

Wednesday, May 1, 2019

May 2019 Newsletter

General Membership meeting

Meadow Croft: History and Restoration

Sunday, May 19, 2019 2:00 at Meadow Croft

Please note: Meeting will not be in the library.

Please join us at our next general membership meeting when we welcome our guest speaker Richard Martin, the Director of Historic Services for the Suffolk County Department of Parks. Richard’s office manages over 200 historic structures containing an array of buildings, gardens, and sites of cultural and historical significance, including Meadow Croft.

Richard has been involved with Meadow Croft from the earliest days of its restoration, even living in the caretaker’s cottage on the property for a time. His research has included discussions of the house and its surroundings with members of the Roosevelt family, historians, and local residents (including caretaker Barney Loughlin). Richard will take us on an informal tour of the house and property, where he will discuss the history of Meadow Croft and share his personal knowledge and memories of its restoration. Questions are welcomed and encouraged, so come prepared!

Please note that this meeting will take place at Meadow Croft, not the library.

Meadow Croft tour ~ Sneak peek

Every weekend from June through October, trained docents offer House Tours of the historic Meadow Croft estate. This fall and winter, the members of the BBPHA have been hard at work making improvements and updating rooms and displays made possible by donations and special events. This year, we would like to offer a special "Sneak Peak" for only a limited number of guests to be held on Friday evening, May 31st from 7:00-9:00 PM. A personalized tour will be offered and refreshments will be served. Tickets for this special event can be purchased online only at $25.00 per person. You can find the webpage by clicking here. We hope you can join us for this special "Sneak Peak" event or sometime this season! Great things are happening at Meadow Croft all the time!

Bayport Land Use and Zoning study

Last night, April 30th 2019, the Town of Islip hosted a public open house at the Bayport Fire House on the study of land use in three distinct areas of Bayport. The areas in consideration of re-zoning are located on Montauk Highway, Middle Road (Bayport's Historic Hamlet Center) and an industrial area located on Rjon Road currently occupied by Wenner Bakery. This article was prepared prior to any updates on said meeting.

The Town proposes additional workshop meetings to gain the Bayport communities input. Each of the three areas has its own unique character with regard to land usage, circulation patterns, and development pressure on vacant and underutilized properties. The study hopes to better understand the impact on each area of our community and the potential for growth in Bayport. The Town of Islip would like to hear from Bayport's homeowners, businesses, and landowners and hopes they share their concerns to effect a positive change to the existing zoning laws.

Please keep updated on these current events happening in our community! Your voice needs to be heard!

Membership now due!

It's that time of year! The BHA is now requesting your membership dues. If you would like to pay for this year, please mail payment to Bayport Blue Point Heritage Association PO Box 4 Bayport NY 11705. Please include your name, address and email on all correspondence. Make checks payable to Bayport Blue Point Heritage Association. You can also make payment directly from our webpage which can be found here . Any questions can be directed to bbphistorical@gmail.com. Thank you to all of our generous members! New members welcome!

Membership Type

Annual $25.00

Senior $10.00

Corporate $100.00

Donation $___

upcoming events!

Meadow Croft House Tours: As mentioned above, the BBPHA will begin it's annual house tours at Meadow Croft starting in June. Each weekend, from 2:00-4:00, trained docents will guide you on a house tour. Special display this year will be of the Sayville Yacht Club. Did you know that John Ellis Roosevelt was the first Commodore of the SYC? To learn more about this organization, come on down to Meadow Croft this summer!
If you are interested in becoming a docent, volunteering only part time, please give us a call!

Summer Concerts: The BBPHA will once again provide two spectacular summer concerts FREE for our communities to enjoy. The first concert is scheduled on July 25th from 6-8 at Bayport Memorial Park. This concert will feature The Flat Leavers! The second concert will be on August 22nd and returning will be The Lazy Bunny Ukulele Band. Mark your calendars! Always a fun time for the whole family!

Historic Boat Tour: The Great South Bay is not only a beautiful part of our communities' summer fun but it has significant historic homes located on the bay as well as a tremendous history to share! Join us for a historic boat tour leaving from Sayville's Ferry dock. This tour will be scheduled for August 7th. More information on pricing and details for this evening to follow.

Autumn House Tour: Each October, the BBPHA hosts a historical house tour of homes right in our community. This is our biggest fundraiser which allows us to complete updates, repairs and displays to Meadow Croft and offer free programs like the summer concerts for our friends in the BBP community. While 5 months away, this venture takes a tremendous amount of planning and preparation and WE NEED YOU! If you would like to help or volunteer or have a historic, interesting or architectural significant home that we could showcase, please contact us.

Memorial Day Parade: Each year the BBPHA marches in the Memorial Day Parade and places a wreath in remembrance at Bayport Memorial Park. All are encouraged to attend. If you would like to march with us, please call us at 631-472-4625.

Tuesday, April 2, 2019

April 2019 Newsletter

General Membership meeting

The Barns of Bayport and Blue Point

Sunday, April 14, 2019 2:00 at the BBP Library

Mary Lou Cohalan’s interest in barns began several decades ago when she moved to a home in Bayport that had--you guessed it--a barn on the property. Please join Mary Lou at our next general membership meeting where she will discuss the barns and outbuildings from the turn of the century that still exist in Bayport and Blue Point. These picturesque structures are often our only link to the great estates and working farms that once defined our communities.

St. Patrick's Day Parade

It was a beautiful day for the Bayport and Blue Point communities to celebrate St. Patrick's Day with a parade! This parade was re-scheduled from a rain soaked March 10th date but the weather was glorious and the atmosphere was festive. It was worth the wait!

Our Grand Marshal, Lenore Ringer-Prezioso was excitedly waving to the crowd which lined both sides of Montauk Hwy. The BBP HS Band was outstanding as was the various other musical performers. The local businesses were well represented and everyone had jovial Irish time!

Thank you to everyone who came out to march with the BBPHA or cheered us on!

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 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 BBPHA at 631-472-4625 with any questions. Looking forward to another beautiful season!

Updates at Meadow Croft

During the winter months when Meadow Croft is closed to the public, the Executive Board of BBPHA did some cleaning up and authorized some much needed updates, especially in the girls room. New period accurate wallpaper was installed and there was also some repairs to the walls where new spackling was needed. As a turn of the century home, there is always work to do!

We look forward to finalizing details and sprucing up Meadow Croft to open her doors again to the public starting every weekend in June. A special early "Sneak Peek" evening is in the planning stages. More info to follow.

Thank you!

Each March the Nominating Committee accepts nominations for new Executive Board positions, as per our By- Laws. At this time we would like to welcome Sandra Iden as a new director. We look forward to working with new people and hearing new ideas!

At the same time, we need to say Thank You to Dave Harenberg, who is stepping down as a director. Dave has put in numerous years and countless hours as a vital member of our organization. Dave will still be involved and we are grateful for that as well as his years of volunteer service to the BBPHA.

So, Welcome to Sandra and Thank You to Dave!

Saturday, August 10, 2019

Historic Boat Tour ...... SOLD OUT!

FREE Summer Concert: lazy Bunny Ukulele Band

Dunphy foundation visits Meadow Croft

Odds and ends...

Sayville Yacht Club visits Meadow Croft

Eagle Scout Project At MC

BBP Heritage Association

Friday, July 12, 2019

Monday, July 1, 2019

Summer Solstice Walking Tour

Upcoming events....

Autum House Tour

Kite Day

Congratulations! Scholarship winner!

Donation

Academy Street Visits Meadow Croft

A special THANK YOU!

BBPHA

Saturday, June 1, 2019

Sayville Yacht Club Display

Memorial Day Parade

Mark your calendars!

Help wanted!

Special Thank you....

Membership now due...

BBP Heritage Association

Tuesday, May 14, 2019

~ Reminder: Sneak Peek at Meadow Croft ~

Join us!

Wednesday, May 1, 2019

Meadow Croft tour ~ Sneak peek

Bayport Land Use and Zoning study

Membership now due!

upcoming events!

Follow us!

Tuesday, April 2, 2019

St. Patrick's Day Parade

Heirloom Garden

Updates at Meadow Croft

Thank you!

BBPHA