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Library Trustees

Library Trustees
Willard H. Berrien Jr.
Cristina Kepner
Lynda Confessore
Paul C. Dietche
James Herbert
Erin Lynch
Laraine Rothenberg
Brendan Ryan
Barbara Sartorius

Quogue Library
90 Quogue Road
Quogue, NY 11959
Phone (631) 653-4224
Fax (631) 653-6151

History of QuogueThe Quogue Historical Society was founded in 1947 as the Historical Committee of the Quogue Library, and was separately chartered in 1977. According to its Constitution, “The purpose of the Quogue Historical Society is to bring together people interested in the history of Quogue, and to provide facilities, materials, and activities for these people to further their interest in local history. To this end, a major function of the Society is to preserve the 1822 Schoolhouse, which is closely identified with the first settlers of Quogue and the early life of the village.”

CONTACT INFORMATION
Mailing address:

Quogue Historical Society
PO Box 1207
Quogue, NY 11959-1207

Telephone messages may be left at 631-996-2404.

HEADQUARTERS FOR THE SOCIETY

The Pond House at 114 Jessuup Avenue had an Opening Party on July 3, 2011.  The Pond House provides for much needed storage for the Society's collection, research facilities, administrative space, and flexible display space near the commercial and administrative center of the Village.

CONTINUING PROGRAMS

The 1822 Schoolhouse Complex

The Society's principal display space is the 1822 Schoolhouse, located on the grounds of the Quogue Library, 90 Quogue Street. It is normally open each year from July 1 through the Saturday of the Labor Day weekend. Normal hours are Wednesdays and Fridays from 3 to 5 PM and Saturdays from 10 AM till noon. Admission is free. In addition to the scheduled hours, special openings can be arranged in June through September by calling 631-996-2404.

Built by citizens of the Village in 1822, the one-room Schoolhouse was Quogue's first community building and served as its school for about 70 years. Much of the structure is original, including the floor, the walls, and some of the windows. The 1822 Schoolhouse contains exhibits related to early school life, as well as annual exhibits. A member of the 1822 Schoolhouse Committee is on duty during each scheduled open period to welcome visitors and to help them understand and enjoy their visits.

Grouped with the Schoolhouse are two other historic buildings: a 1734 smokehouse and a late 19th century “4-holer” outhouse of local origin.

Also in this area are a 19th century flower garden, herb gardens featuring various types of herbs, and a “Harry Potter” garden containing samples of plant life mentioned in the books, all maintained by the Westhampton Garden Club.


View of the 1734 smokehouse, 1822 one-room schoolhouse, and a corner of the 19th century
herb garden. The late 19th century '4-holer' outhouse is located behind the schoolhouse.

The Collections

The Society preserves extensive collections of artifacts, memorabilia, photographs, diaries, letters, maps, and other historic documents associated with the history of Quogue. Annual exhibits are drawn primarily from these collections. The Society has, for many years, offered to the public an annual slide lecture on some aspect of Quogue history. Admission is free. Recent titles include:

  • Quogue's Heritage Road (2009)
  • Quogue's Oldest Houses and the Families that Lived in them (2008)
  • Waterways and Bridges of Quogue (2007)
  • The Story of Jessup Avenue (2006)
  • The Boarding House Era. . . Then and Now (2005)
  • The Hurricane of 1938 (2004)

Three of these presentations, as listed below, can be viewed through this site; viewing of others can be arranged through the Society by calling 631-996-2404.

The Hurricane of ’38

Learn how this devastating storm – called the Long Island Express in the press -- affected the local communities, see actual film footage of the damage, and hear survivors’ stories.

Click here for online Hurricane Presentation (Images available in Adobe PDF)

The Boarding House Era.... Then and Now:

The boarding house era in Quogue began in the 1840s and reached its height from 1900-1920.

What was it like and are any of those boarding houses still standing? Let us see…

The Story of Jessup Avenue

Jessup Avenue is the village's business and commercial district. While the businesses have changed hands many times and have themselves changed with development, the spirit is both entrepreneurial and community centered. The presentation explores how Jessup Avenue has kept this spirit while changing with the times.

Click here for Jessup Avenue Presentation.

Preservation of Historic Buildings

The Society maintains files of data on selected houses and other buildings in Quogue. Much of this data was updated in 2009. The Society is prepared to make this data available as needed in support of efforts to preserve important buildings.

Publications

The Society publishes a number of booklets on the history of Quogue, including:

  • The Hurricane of 1938, Volumes I and II
  • Quogue As We Remember It, A Collection of Memories
  • Notes on Quogue, 1659 – 1939
  • Quogue's Heritage Road
  • Pictorial Views of Quogue, Long Island

All publications, as well as postcards, note cards, and historic maps, can be purchased at the Quogue Library and at the Pond House Headquarters, 144 Jessup Avenue. All proceeds support the work of the Society.

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Art Show & Sale

The Society's fundraiser, which has also become an important part of the Quogue summer schedule, is an Art Show & Sale, held on the Library grounds on the second Saturday in August. The work of local artists is showcased, and prospective purchasers come from all over Long Island. The festive atmosphere makes this a popular activity, and the proceeds are an important part of the Society's income. Exhibiting at this show is by invitation; interested artists should contact the QHS Art Show Committee through the Library.

Children's Art Show

As part of the Art Show, there is a special show of children's art, partially supported by the Counselman Oxholm Children's Art Fund. Entries are judged by local artists and prizes are awarded. In preparation for the Children's Show, art classes are provided, taught by a local art teacher. Prior registration for the classes is required; the time and date for registration is announced in June.

QHS- Holiday House Tour

Started in 2010 to finance upkeep of new headquarters and moving in expenses. Held third Saturday in December, five beautifully decorated for the Holidays houses, followed by party.

RECENT SPECIAL PROGRAMS

The 350th Anniversary of the Quogue Purchase

The Society initiated, and the Village organized and conducted a celebration of the 350 th anniversary of the 1659 Quogue Purchase. The celebration included a parade, demonstrations by the 3 rd New York Regiment Revolutionary War reenactment group, fireworks, and sales of commemorative publications and merchandise.

100 Year Old Houses--Plaque Program

During 2009, the Society initiated a program to identify houses 100 year old or more and to celebrate them and their owners by offering plaques to identify them. Houses in existence in 1912 or earlier, are eligible with map study verification and correspondence with present owner.

Oral Histories Project

Started in 2009 under the direction of Marguerite Post Rich, this program provides the opportunity for Quogue residents to relate their stories for future Quogue generations.

Preservation/Conservation Talks

A series of monthly lectures (October-April) devoted to various aspects of preserving our Quogue heritage. Past speakers have been, Sundy Schermeyer, Southampton Town Clerk, Julie Green, Archivist & Curator Bridgemanpton Historical Society, Sally Spanburg, Program Coordinator Bridgehampton Historical Society. April’s speaker will be Zachary Studenroth, Southampton Town Historian to talk about practical aspects of implementing a Quogue Cemetery Historic markers project.

Quogue's Heritage Road

In 2009, on the recommendation and request of the Historical Society, the Trustees designated Quogue Street and Beach Lane as Quogue's “ Heritage Road.” The recommendation was backed by an extensive study conducted by the Society, the results of which were published in a 42 page booklet (with over 70 illustrations and 12 maps). Copies of the booklet are available for purchase at the Library and the Pond House.

ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION

Chairman Emerita
Mrs. F.B. Wadelton, III

Chairman
Mr. Peter J. Rothenberg

Co-Chairman
Mr. Chester Murray

Treasurer
Mr. Kelso Sutton, II

Corresponding Secretary
Mrs. Jane Post

Recording Secretary
Barbara W. Patterson

Directors

Mrs. Michael N. Ambler
Constance Buckley
Mr. Stuart L. Disston
Mrs. Peter A. Duffy
Margaret Halsey Gardiner
Cecelia Lazarescu
Mrs. Anthony V. Leness
Mr. Andrew Lynch
Donna Sessa
Mr. Noah Walley
Mr. Ralph Worthington, IV

Membership

Membership is open to any person in accord with the purpose and object of the Society. The entire amounts of the membership fees are tax deductible. A membership solicitation mailing is normally made in late June each year, but membership materials are available throughout the year at the Library, the 1822 Schoolhouse and the Pond House.

All members are invited to the Annual Meeting on the Saturday following the Labor Day weekend. At this time, Society officers and committee chairs make reports of the year and all contributors are invited.

CONTRIBUTIONS

The Society is entirely staffed by volunteers, and depends financially on membership fees, other voluntary contributions, and the proceeds of the Art Show & Sale, Holiday House Tour and sales of publications. The Society is a 501(c)(3) non profit tax exempt organization, so unless goods or services are provided in exchange, the entire amounts of memberships and contributions are tax deductible as provided for in IRS regulations. Gifts of historical materials, as accepted by the Society, are similarly tax deductible.

Contributions of Time and Talent - Volunteer Activities

The Society needs volunteers in many categories, including Docent guides (we will provide training), fund raising assistance, and computer operations. Anyone interested is urged to contact Volunteer Coordinator Barbara Patterson, either through a telephone message at 631-996-2404 or at Barbarablwp@aol.com.

Contributions of Historical Materials

The present collections have been largely acquired through voluntary gifts of historical artifacts, documents, and photographs. The Society gladly accepts, within its display and storage capabilities, gifts of such historical materials.

A category of particular interest is that of photographs. Over the past few years, over a dozen families have loaned albums to the Society; the albums are scanned and discs are made of the contents, after which the albums (with copies of the disc) are returned to the families. The families thus keep their albums but are assured that their family photos will be preserved for the future and will be available for study and display.

Financial Contributions

The Society has been the fortunate recipient of several substantial (tax deductible) donations. Such donations can be either unrestricted or directed to a particular program. Donations can be sent directly to the Society at PO Box 1207, Quogue, 11959, or can be discussed in advance with the Chairman, Peter Rothenberg.  Leave message at 631-996-2404.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Additional information on the Society and its programs can be obtained by writing to PO Box 1207, Quogue, by contacting any of the Directors listed above, or by leaving a telephone message at the Pond House, 631-996-2404.


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