Northport Historical Society

From our collection: A Cabbage Patch Kid doll circa 1985. Remember when everyone had to have one? What was your favorite Holiday gift when you were a kid?

'Tis the Season... for Toys! - In celebration of Hanukkah and in preparation for Christmas, we wanted to share some favorite toys from our collection. Click to see more and to join our Book Club! https://mailchi.mp/f9c6b1be667b/aseasonfortoys-4796710

The Impact of a Little Girl and a Big Bird - Click to learn how Big Bird's lesson on deforestation led to a special tree in Village Park https://mailchi.mp/8eaf15ada257/ohchristmastree-4792746

A Thank You to Those Who Have Served: From the GAR to the American Legion - click to read more about Northport's veterans and the establishment of the VA Medical Center in Middleville. https://mailchi.mp/382c098aaf77/athankyoutoveterans-4775598

In light of the current spike in Covid-19 cases in our area, we have decided to err on the side of caution and not open the Museum Shop until further notice. If you'd like to purchase any of our merchandise however, please email: [email protected] and we can arrange the purchase. Thank you for your support!

Happy Thanksgiving! We are so thankful for your support during this difficult year. Let's all take a moment to give thanks for family! We'd love to see what your Thanksgiving family festivities look like this year. Please post pics and they will become part of our collection for future generations like the Pidgeon Family (top) and the Kissam Family (bottom).

Come visit our table tomorrow at the Farmer's Market. We will have books, maps, posters, sweatshirts and more for sale, become a member and get your Tarot Cards read!

Life... and Death in Northport: The Northport Historical Society, as part of its mission, interprets and teaches about many different aspects of life throughout Northport's history. One big aspect of life in a community... is death. Benjamin Franklin is quoted as saying: "Show me your cemeteries and I will show you what kind of people you have." With this sentiment, he is referencing both the dead and the living. You can find art, history and genealogy on gravestones that tel...l all about the people who came before, but the condition of the cemetery says a lot about the living. Has the graveyard succumbed to vandalism, neglect, or apathy? What does that say about us? Let's revisit an exhibit the Society did several years ago to bring awareness to the importance of maintaining our burying grounds. Since then, graveyards have been cleaned up, gravestones recorded, and maintained by scout groups, alumni groups and the Town of Huntington. The marker for Hannah Wood, who died in 1739, is the earliest gravestone in the Old Northport Burying Ground on 25A. It features a rounded death's head motif on slate. See more

Business Member Spotlight: The Northport Yacht Club: In September of 1898, a group of wealthy Brooklynites with summer homes in Northport joined together to form a yacht club. The club, with 56 original members, received its charter in April of 1899. A clubhouse was built on the waterfront at Bayview Avenue by Stanton Street, and opened July 4, 1899. Local business owners were not happy that "outsiders" had founded a yacht club in the Village, so they formed their own: the In...dependent Yacht Club. A clubhouse was built south of the rival location, on Woodbine Avenue near the foot of Main Street and the power plant. In 1910, a new clubhouse was built farther south along the harbor on Woodbine Avenue. The Northport Yacht Club and the Independent Yacht Club maintained a friendly rivalry for years. However, in 1925, the Northport Yacht Club reckoned with the loss of members who had taken up golf at the Northport Country Club, and ceased operations. The Independent Yacht Club then changed its name to the Northport Yacht Club, but it too went out of business by 1944, due in part to WWII. An entirely new yacht club was later formed at the Edgewater Inn at the far north end of Bayview Avenue. The club took its name from the inn, and the Edgewater Yacht Club, under the leadership of Benjamin Gambee, participated in races during the 1945 season. In 1946, the club purchased land from Steers Sand and Gravel Company and built a new clubhouse. In 1952, the Edgewater changed its name to the Northport Yacht Club where it still operates to this day at Bluff Point.

Let's Keep Making History Together - Click the link to read this week's newsletter about what we've been up to, and how you can help support the work of the Society https://mailchi.mp/3a399d553360/annualappeal-4783758

More office organizing means more free stuff! Come down and check out these wooden desks- they are ready to go to new homes...

Come shop Saturdays 1:00-4:30 now through December 19th! Shop local and support a great cause!

BUSINESS MEMBER SPOTLIGHT! JONES DRUG STORE: The oldest business on Main Street is Jones Drug Store. Louis H. Jones (1873-1965) arrived in Northport in 1895 with a diploma from Brooklyn College of Pharmacy, and went right to work in George Burr’s Pharmacy on lower Main Street. When the building at 90 Main Street became available in 1901, Jones seized the opportunity to open his own pharmacy. The store was heated with a big round stove and the jars and bottles in the compoun...ding room consisted of herbs, leeches, and patent medicines. Jones also carried a full line of veterinary medicines which were sought after by the farmers in the area. Real Estate Agent Harris Henschel first occupied the small extension to the right of the store, but Jones later converted it into a soda fountain. This new addition to the business became famous for miles around for using only real fruit juices, the finest syrups and best quality ice creams. In 1958, Jones retired, and new owner, Anthony Degaspari kept the name but decided to move the location to a brand-new building, just on the other side of School Street at 100 Main Street. Vincent Terranova, a former employee, bought the business in 1982 and continues to carry on the Jones name. If you’d like to support the Society and become a business member, please visit our website: www.northporthistorical.org/membership or email [email protected] for more information and to learn about our exciting member benefits.

After the Revolution, the Town of Huntington hired Rev. Joshua Hartt to survey its shoreline. In doing so, he noted that the reef off Eaton's Neck was dangerous and suggested a lighthouse be built. Watch the video to learn what happened next.

Today we celebrate World Teacher's Day! These are the teachers at the school that once stood on School Street, c. 1900. What teachers made a difference in your life?

The sun came out, and so did some more furniture from our office clean-up! Come by to pick up some free desks and other items we've got ready to up-cycle!