THIS MONTH’S NEWS
- JULY 17, 2016 – A Place Called Quiogue – Exhibit Open HouseI think all of you that attended would agree that our open house and party was a huge success – this casual gathering was such an enjoyable way to get to know more of our members. Check out the photos! We attached old and new members and we were particularly pleased to see the Quiogue people who attended. Dr. Carter, President of the Quiogue Association raved about our exhibit- Thank You! Dr. Carter is very knowledgeable on the subjects of clocks, and while touring the permanent collection in the parlor of The Tuthill House Museum, noted the two historic clocks we have on display. He noted that they are in very good condition – both clocks date back to the 1840’s. He offered further detailed analysis of the clocks and a more accurate detailed description for our records. Our museum personnel can’t possible have in depth knowledge of everything so we love when our members help with their expertise in different areas.To Bob Murray – Thank you for organizing this casual, get-together! Our thanks to all those that helped.
- Monday evening July 18th at 5 PM, while most were still on their way home from work, or preparing their evening meals, ten dedicated members arrived at the Tuthill House Museum to take part in a four hour long training session with All Museum Services’ Steven A. Czarniecki to learn the accessioning process whereby museums take in artifacts and make them part of their permanent collections. This specialized training was graciously funded by The Robert L. Gardiner Foundation , who continues to support museums all over Long Island. We are grateful to be the recipient of this grant so we may stay current in our accessioning practices, and train new volunteers to do this important work. The Historical Society regularly receives donations of fascinating items from local citizens. Each item must be considered by a committee – we simply don’t have room to accept all items, and we look especially for items related to “the story” of Westhampton Beach and the surrounding hamlets, and items of particular educational value. It is important that all items accepted into our permanent collection are properly accounted for, and cared for. Training includes learning how to document acquisitions in Past Perfect, our museum software. The next training session with All Museum Services is being scheduled now.
- THE 1935 ART DECO FRIEZE SCULPTURES FROM THE BEACH LANE BRIDGE LIVE AGAIN AT THE WESTHAMPTON BEACH HISTORICAL SOCIETY!In 1995 the Beach Lane Bridge [also known as Rogers Bridge] in Westhampton Beach was reconstructed. The old bridge was a small double-leaf bascule drawbridge built in 1935 with funding from the Works Progress Administration (WPA). One of the unique features of the bridge was the frieze of bas-relief sculptures on the bridge tower depicting farmers, fishermen, hunters and birds.Created in 1935 as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal, the WPA was responsible for the construction of thousands of public buildings, bridges and dams during its eight-year existence. Through the Federal Art Project, the WPA employed thousands of artists to design murals and sculptures to adorn those projects. Lieutenant H.M. Ericsson, a Westhampton Beach artist who is also credited with designing a three-cent stamp, designed the bas-reliefs on the Beach Lane Bridge. Mr. Ericsson died in 1969.By the 1990s, nearly 60 years after its construction, the Beach Lane Bridge had deteriorated significantly and was in need of reconstruction. However, as the 1935 Bridge was on a list of sites eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, it had to be offered “free to any interested party for relocation and reuse” before it could be torn down or reconstructed. There were no takers, so the bridge was taken apart and reconstructed. The bas-reliefs were saved, however, and two found their way to a home on Moniebogue Lane. When the owners sold the house recently, they donated the bas-reliefs to the Westhampton Beach Historical Society.
The bas-reliefs are in excellent shape and have been set on the Historical Society grounds located at 101 Mill Road in Westhampton Beach. Thanks to John Berdinka, who built a display wall to raise them up, the 1935 Art Deco frieze bas-reliefs can be seen and admired by all those interested in the history of the Westhampton area.
- If by any chance you haven’t renewed your membership yet….Please send in your membership fees – or you can pay online through this website. We depend on these membership fees to maintain the Tuthill House Museum and The Foster-Meeker Heritage Center and to care for the many historical artifacts in our collection. We truly appreciate all your continued support.
Coming Up…
– NEXT MONTH – August 2016
- Trustee Dot Berdinka, in coordination with the local Elementary School, is hard at work planning a very interesting tour of our local cemetery. The tour will highlight 6 or 7 fascinating people including both men and women from our past and highlight their contributions to the community. Members of our Education Committee are developing lesson plans and activities for the visiting third grade classrooms. This event is scheduled for October – during the early part of next year’s school session.
Ongoing Celebration of the 375th Anniversary of The Town of Southampton. Follow the link to see what is planned: http://historic.southamptontownny.gov/historictours.html