SCHS: Book & Bottle / ‘Long Island & the Legacy of Eugenics ….’ by Mark Torres / Talk, 4.5th

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Long Island and the Legacy of Eugenics: Station of Intolerance

with author Mark A. Torres

Saturday, April 5, 2025 – 1:00 PM

Book Sale & Signing by Author!

Members Free, Non-Members $8. Includes refreshments.

Registration + non-refundable prepayment required. *Space is limited!*

Call 631-727-2881 X100 to reserve your spot!

Or reserve at Eventbrite for a small surcharge: https://tinyurl.com/MarkTorres

In the early 20th century, eugenics was at the forefront of scientific discourse in the quest to understand human genetics. On Long Island and throughout the nation, eugenicists were granted unfettered access to conduct experiments on prisoners, psychiatric patients, Coney Island circus performers, and at Native American reservations–all in an effort to legitimize a false science. The origins of the eugenics movement can be found in the Eugenics Record Office, an otherwise nondescript administrative building at Cold Spring Harbor, Long Island, NY, under the direction of Charles Benedict Davenport, from 1910 to 1939. The work conducted there directly led to the forced sterilization of thousands of American citizens, the passage of anti-immigration laws, and sparked a deadly global movement that directly inspired the murderous Nazi regime to commit heinous acts under the banner of eugenics. Author Mark Torres will explore the local characters, influences, landmarks, and ghastly consequences that emanated from this small Long Island facility for decades and spread throughout the world.

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Mark A. Torres, a labor and employment attorney, earned his law degree from Fordam University School of Law and his bachelor’s in history from New York University. In addition to Long Island and the Legacy of Eugenics (2024), his published works include Long Island Migrant Labor Camps: Dust for Blood (2021), A Stirring on the North Fork (2015), Adeline (2019), and Good Guy Jake (2017).

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SUFFOLK COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM
300 West Main St. Riverhead, NY 11901
www.SuffolkCountyHistoricalSociety.org

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