The Shelter Island Historical Society has been officially designated the Shelter Island History Museum in recognition of the organization’s evolution into becoming an extraordinary museum of local history.
“Since 1922, generations of the Society’s dedicated volunteers and supporters have passionately upheld our mission to preserve and educate the public about Shelter Island life, past and present,” said Executive Director Nanette Lawrenson.
“We have greatly expanded our reach over the years, especially since our renovation and addition were finished in 2019,” she said. “We are purposely dedicating more time and space to exhibit the trove of historic artifacts and documents in our possession. Being a museum is a more apt description of that effort.”
The designation was granted in December by the New York State Board of Regents, which oversees standards for all non-profit education corporations, including museums, libraries and historical societies, and issues state charters to those organizations so they can operate legally.
“As a museum, we will prioritize more in-depth programs that can significantly impact our understanding of and appreciation for the island’s history and how we continue to change and evolve as a community,” Lawrenson said. “We will also broaden our understanding of our history within the context of American history.”
Museums, she added bring positive societal and economic benefits to their communities. They offer an array of opportunities for community involvement through volunteering, education programs, events and exhibits, can provide student internships and assist with research. They are also a source of employment and encourage tourism.
The History Museum’s Board of Directors, led by President Mary Fran Gleason, expanded the organization’s formal mission to meet the state standards for museums:
To research, preserve and share the heritage and history of Shelter Island and other communities on Eastern Long Island;
- To educate the public about Shelter Island and the East End through educational programs, exhibition, scholarship, events, publications and other activities;
- To interpret the past and on-going life of Shelter Island and the East End through preservation of historical material and preserve Shelter Island’s heritage for future generations;
- To collect, curate, preserve, and own artifacts, specimens, and/or archival materials pertaining to the history of Shelter Island and the East End, including, without limitations, non-tangible electronic, video, and digital items (“Collection”);
- To operate and maintain one or more museums in which the Collection can be housed and exhibited to individuals, students, researchers and the general public, both on an ad hoc and regular schedule; and
- To advocate for the preservation of historic structures and sites.
Over the coming weeks, the History Museum will introduce a new logo, an updated website and make other changes to reflect its new name.
The Museum is currently closed until Spring while we install our next major exhibit. The White Family exhibit will feature the landscape artwork of three generations of the White family and the story of the family’s life on West Neck Creek over the past 100 years. The exhibit opens July 4 and runs through November.
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Watch for more information about other exciting events
we have in store for 2025:
April 19: Spring Farmers’ Market
May 24-August 30: Farmers Market
June 7: 2025 House Tour
July 4: White Family Exhibit
July 18-20: Summer Musical
July 28-August 15: Summer Children’s Theater Program
September 6: 3rd NY Regiment Encampment
September/October: Oysters ‘R’ Here! Event
October 11: Harvest Festival Market
November 29: Holiday Farmers’ Market