Photo of the Week

FROM THE SCHS LIBRARY ARCHIVES

“How shall we know it is us without our past?”
– John Steinbeck

‘Haunted Hallways: Hair Wreaths’

by Wendy Polhemus-Annibell, Head Librarian 

Hair Wreaths, c. 1850s. (From the Collection of the Suffolk County Historical Society Museum. Image Copyright © Suffolk County Historical Society. All rights reserved.)

Displayed in our newly installed exhibit, Haunted Hallway: A Collection of Creepy Curiosities, is something known as a hair wreath. These hair wreaths from our museum collection were created in about the mid-nineteenth century, and belonged to local families. Hair wreaths were formed by “stitching” human hair with fine wire over a rod, forming a series of loops that could be formed into flowerlike shapes. The art of making hair wreaths was practiced during the Victorian age as a memorial for lost loved ones. Hair was considered something tangible by which to remember a loved one. Friends would even exchange locks of hair and keep them in jewelry boxes. Not all hair wreaths were made as memorials, however. Some larger hair wreaths were the result of community projects and would include hair from an entire group, school, or family.

Come visit our new Haunted Hallway exhibit…if you dare! With curious artifacts ranging from coffins to murder weapons, our creepiest curiosities will have you looking over your shoulder as you meander the museum’s historic galleries! On exhibit in our History in the Hall display cases now through November 7, 2020. Gallery Hours: Wednesday to Saturday, 10:00 am – 4:30 pm. 

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ATTENTION RIVERHEAD BASEBALL FANS!

The Suffolk County Historical Society is seeking your memories and photographs of the Riverhead Stadium (also known as Wivchar Stadium) that opened on Harrison Avenue on Memorial Day weekend 1949. Please contact us at librarian@schs-museum.org or 631-727-2881 x103. Thank you!

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Welcome Back! The Suffolk County Historical Society Museum is open to the public with new special summer hours of operation:

 Wednesday to Saturday, 10:00 am to 4:30 pm 

  • Enjoy a safe, socially-distanced family outing with 15-minute intervals between parties, for an enjoyable, worry-free environment.
  • Exhibits are open and provide a safe “touchless” experience for adults and children alike!
  • Masks are required of all museum visitors over age 2.

Due to Covid-19 distancing guidelines, our library will remain closed to the public but remote research services are available. Contact the library for more information: 631 727-2881 x103 or librarian@schs-museum.org

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To View 2014 Photo of the Week pages click here.

To View 2015 Photo of the Week pages click here.

To View 2016 Photo of the Week pages click here. 

To View 2017 Photo of the Week pages click here.

To View 2018 Photo of the Week pages click here.

To View 2019 Photo of the Week pages click here. 

To View 2020 Photo of the Week pages click here.

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AAQ / Resource: Otis Ford, Since 1946, Quogue

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