Long Island Maritime Museum
Encyclopedia
The Long Island Maritime Museum is located in West Sayville, New York
.
, president of Singer Sewing Machine from 1889 to 1905. Charged with the mission of preserving Long Island’s maritime history and heritage for educational purposes, the Museum has been welcoming visitors from all over the world for over 40 years.
The Museum’s Main Exhibit and Administrative Building, formerly the estate’s garage, houses a collection of local half models, a permanent exhibit on Long Island shipwrecks and the United States Lifesaving Service, and a gallery for annual exhibits. Hervey Garrett Smith is credited to being the Museum's founder and first director. The Museum grounds and buildings were originally owned by the Bourne-Hard family.
The garage also houses the Elward Smith III Library, a treasure trove of books, documents, photographs and boat plans. The Library is located in the east wing of the Carriage House, with the archives upstairs. The Library, which also houses many unique models and trophies is used for educational programs and meetings.
and Modesty
, two vessels which are National Historic Landmark
s.
The Long Island Maritime Museum acquired Priscilla
in 1976. The vessel was significantly altered throughout her extensive career. Until 2002, she served the Long Island Maritime Museum as a floating ambassador to other organizations on Long Island and in New York City. Priscilla
like all working vessels was subject to heavy wear and deterioration, and was constantly undergoing maintenance and repair throughout her lifespan.
Because of her deteriorated condition, Priscilla
underwent an extensive restoration at the Long Island Maritime Museum during a 19-month period between 2002 and 2003. The vessel has retained her historical physical appearance and the workmanship of Elisha Saxton and the care of her subsequent owners are testimony to her survival today. At the Long Island Maritime Museum, Priscilla
is used as a floating exhibit next to the 1908 Rudolph Oyster House
and berthed along the same dock as the 1923 scallop dredger Modesty
.
Restored 1888 Oyster Sloop Priscilla, Floating Ambassador of the Long Island Maritime Museum, sets sail for a series of summer events. The vessel is scheduled to begin taking passengers out on the Great South Bay the first week of May, 2010.
Priscilla has been featured in a variety of special regattas throughout her history, including the Parade of Tall Ships at the “Salute to the Statue of Liberty” Fourth of July Celebration in 1986.
“By offering interactive public sailings, living history experiences and educational programs, the ship furthers Long Island Maritime Museum’s mission to motivate people to take care of the environment, the history and the culture of Long Island through education, preservation and example.” said the Museum’s Executive Director, Natasha Alexenko. “We are thrilled to share her with the community she serves.
”Owned and operated by the Long Island Maritime Museum, Priscilla acts as an ambassador through its diverse programs scheduled at many ports throughout the season. Passengers will be given an opportunity to help the crew navigate on the Great South Bay, learn about the ship’s history and the local environment or merely sit back, relax and enjoy the spectacular view.
The oyster sloop Modesty
was built in 1923 by the Wood and Chute Shipyard of Greenport, Long Island. The vessel was originally built to dredge oysters and scallops under sail in the Peconic Bay.
Modesty
is believed to be the last large sailing shellfish dredger built anywhere along the shores of Long Island. Modesty
was modeled after the 1892 catboat Honest, which was built by Jelle Dykstra of Greens Creek, West Sayville. Modesty
was built as a gaff-rigged sloop but a two-cylinder Gafka gasoline engine was installed during the construction. The fact that Modesty
was even built at the end of the age of sail is due to an old law enacted before WWI which stipulated that only sail power could be used while dredging for shellfish. After working as a scallop dredger in Peconic Bay until 1936, Modesty
moved to Connecticut to finish her working career as an oyster dredger. From the 1950s until 1974 she served as a pleasure yacht for various owners.
, a commercial oyster culling building.
The Museum is host to other historic exhibits as well. The Frank F. Penney Boatshop. This was, at one time, the laundry building of the Brooklyn Hotel in Center Moriches. The Bayman's Cottage(Beebe) was built in around the 1890s and moved from its original location at 45 West Ave to the museum grounds. The Everitt-Lawrence Small Craft Exhibition Building hosts a variety of small crafts by some of Long Island's most important designer/builders; G.F. Carter, Wilbur Ketcham, Frank Conklin and Gil Smith.
West Sayville, New York
West Sayville is a hamlet in Suffolk County, New York, United States. The population was 5,003 at the 2000 census.West Sayville is located in the southwest part of the Town of Islip.-Geography:...
.
History
The Long Island Maritime Museum was founded in 1966 on the waterfront grounds of the former Meadowedge estate of Mrs. Florence Bourne Hard in West Sayville. Florence Hard was the daughter of Frederick Gilbert BourneFrederick Gilbert Bourne
Frederick Gilbert "Commodore" Bourne was President of the Singer Manufacturing Company between 1889 and 1905. He made the business "perhaps the first modern multinational industrial enterprise of any nationality." Bourne greatly expanded global production as well as international sales of the...
, president of Singer Sewing Machine from 1889 to 1905. Charged with the mission of preserving Long Island’s maritime history and heritage for educational purposes, the Museum has been welcoming visitors from all over the world for over 40 years.
The Museum’s Main Exhibit and Administrative Building, formerly the estate’s garage, houses a collection of local half models, a permanent exhibit on Long Island shipwrecks and the United States Lifesaving Service, and a gallery for annual exhibits. Hervey Garrett Smith is credited to being the Museum's founder and first director. The Museum grounds and buildings were originally owned by the Bourne-Hard family.
The garage also houses the Elward Smith III Library, a treasure trove of books, documents, photographs and boat plans. The Library is located in the east wing of the Carriage House, with the archives upstairs. The Library, which also houses many unique models and trophies is used for educational programs and meetings.
Vessels
The Long Island Maritime Museum is the current home of PriscillaPriscilla (sloop)
Priscilla is a classic oyster dredging sloop that was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2006. It is berthed near the Modesty, another National Historic Landmark sloop at the Long Island Maritime Museum.-History:...
and Modesty
Modesty (sloop)
Modesty was an oyster sloop built in 1923 by The Wood and Chute Shipyard of Greenport, Long Island. Modeled after the catboat Honest, which was built in 1892 by Jelle Dykstra on the west bank of Greens Creek, West Sayville, Modesty was built as a gaff-rigged sloop, but retained the extreme beam of...
, two vessels which are National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
s.
The Long Island Maritime Museum acquired Priscilla
Priscilla (sloop)
Priscilla is a classic oyster dredging sloop that was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2006. It is berthed near the Modesty, another National Historic Landmark sloop at the Long Island Maritime Museum.-History:...
in 1976. The vessel was significantly altered throughout her extensive career. Until 2002, she served the Long Island Maritime Museum as a floating ambassador to other organizations on Long Island and in New York City. Priscilla
Priscilla (sloop)
Priscilla is a classic oyster dredging sloop that was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2006. It is berthed near the Modesty, another National Historic Landmark sloop at the Long Island Maritime Museum.-History:...
like all working vessels was subject to heavy wear and deterioration, and was constantly undergoing maintenance and repair throughout her lifespan.
Because of her deteriorated condition, Priscilla
Priscilla (sloop)
Priscilla is a classic oyster dredging sloop that was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2006. It is berthed near the Modesty, another National Historic Landmark sloop at the Long Island Maritime Museum.-History:...
underwent an extensive restoration at the Long Island Maritime Museum during a 19-month period between 2002 and 2003. The vessel has retained her historical physical appearance and the workmanship of Elisha Saxton and the care of her subsequent owners are testimony to her survival today. At the Long Island Maritime Museum, Priscilla
Priscilla (sloop)
Priscilla is a classic oyster dredging sloop that was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2006. It is berthed near the Modesty, another National Historic Landmark sloop at the Long Island Maritime Museum.-History:...
is used as a floating exhibit next to the 1908 Rudolph Oyster House
Rudolph Oyster House
Located on the grounds of the Long Island Maritime Museum, The Rudolph Oyster House was built circa 1890. It is typical of the many oyster culling houses which once lined the local waterfront, providing work for hundreds of predominantly Dutch immigrant local residents.Until 1938, the local oyster...
and berthed along the same dock as the 1923 scallop dredger Modesty
Modesty (sloop)
Modesty was an oyster sloop built in 1923 by The Wood and Chute Shipyard of Greenport, Long Island. Modeled after the catboat Honest, which was built in 1892 by Jelle Dykstra on the west bank of Greens Creek, West Sayville, Modesty was built as a gaff-rigged sloop, but retained the extreme beam of...
.
Restored 1888 Oyster Sloop Priscilla, Floating Ambassador of the Long Island Maritime Museum, sets sail for a series of summer events. The vessel is scheduled to begin taking passengers out on the Great South Bay the first week of May, 2010.
Priscilla has been featured in a variety of special regattas throughout her history, including the Parade of Tall Ships at the “Salute to the Statue of Liberty” Fourth of July Celebration in 1986.
“By offering interactive public sailings, living history experiences and educational programs, the ship furthers Long Island Maritime Museum’s mission to motivate people to take care of the environment, the history and the culture of Long Island through education, preservation and example.” said the Museum’s Executive Director, Natasha Alexenko. “We are thrilled to share her with the community she serves.
”Owned and operated by the Long Island Maritime Museum, Priscilla acts as an ambassador through its diverse programs scheduled at many ports throughout the season. Passengers will be given an opportunity to help the crew navigate on the Great South Bay, learn about the ship’s history and the local environment or merely sit back, relax and enjoy the spectacular view.
The oyster sloop Modesty
Modesty (sloop)
Modesty was an oyster sloop built in 1923 by The Wood and Chute Shipyard of Greenport, Long Island. Modeled after the catboat Honest, which was built in 1892 by Jelle Dykstra on the west bank of Greens Creek, West Sayville, Modesty was built as a gaff-rigged sloop, but retained the extreme beam of...
was built in 1923 by the Wood and Chute Shipyard of Greenport, Long Island. The vessel was originally built to dredge oysters and scallops under sail in the Peconic Bay.
Modesty
Modesty (sloop)
Modesty was an oyster sloop built in 1923 by The Wood and Chute Shipyard of Greenport, Long Island. Modeled after the catboat Honest, which was built in 1892 by Jelle Dykstra on the west bank of Greens Creek, West Sayville, Modesty was built as a gaff-rigged sloop, but retained the extreme beam of...
is believed to be the last large sailing shellfish dredger built anywhere along the shores of Long Island. Modesty
Modesty (sloop)
Modesty was an oyster sloop built in 1923 by The Wood and Chute Shipyard of Greenport, Long Island. Modeled after the catboat Honest, which was built in 1892 by Jelle Dykstra on the west bank of Greens Creek, West Sayville, Modesty was built as a gaff-rigged sloop, but retained the extreme beam of...
was modeled after the 1892 catboat Honest, which was built by Jelle Dykstra of Greens Creek, West Sayville. Modesty
Modesty (sloop)
Modesty was an oyster sloop built in 1923 by The Wood and Chute Shipyard of Greenport, Long Island. Modeled after the catboat Honest, which was built in 1892 by Jelle Dykstra on the west bank of Greens Creek, West Sayville, Modesty was built as a gaff-rigged sloop, but retained the extreme beam of...
was built as a gaff-rigged sloop but a two-cylinder Gafka gasoline engine was installed during the construction. The fact that Modesty
Modesty (sloop)
Modesty was an oyster sloop built in 1923 by The Wood and Chute Shipyard of Greenport, Long Island. Modeled after the catboat Honest, which was built in 1892 by Jelle Dykstra on the west bank of Greens Creek, West Sayville, Modesty was built as a gaff-rigged sloop, but retained the extreme beam of...
was even built at the end of the age of sail is due to an old law enacted before WWI which stipulated that only sail power could be used while dredging for shellfish. After working as a scallop dredger in Peconic Bay until 1936, Modesty
Modesty (sloop)
Modesty was an oyster sloop built in 1923 by The Wood and Chute Shipyard of Greenport, Long Island. Modeled after the catboat Honest, which was built in 1892 by Jelle Dykstra on the west bank of Greens Creek, West Sayville, Modesty was built as a gaff-rigged sloop, but retained the extreme beam of...
moved to Connecticut to finish her working career as an oyster dredger. From the 1950s until 1974 she served as a pleasure yacht for various owners.
Historic Landmarks and Exhibits
The Museum also includes the National Historic Landmark, The Rudolph Oyster HouseRudolph Oyster House
Located on the grounds of the Long Island Maritime Museum, The Rudolph Oyster House was built circa 1890. It is typical of the many oyster culling houses which once lined the local waterfront, providing work for hundreds of predominantly Dutch immigrant local residents.Until 1938, the local oyster...
, a commercial oyster culling building.
The Museum is host to other historic exhibits as well. The Frank F. Penney Boatshop. This was, at one time, the laundry building of the Brooklyn Hotel in Center Moriches. The Bayman's Cottage(Beebe) was built in around the 1890s and moved from its original location at 45 West Ave to the museum grounds. The Everitt-Lawrence Small Craft Exhibition Building hosts a variety of small crafts by some of Long Island's most important designer/builders; G.F. Carter, Wilbur Ketcham, Frank Conklin and Gil Smith.