Long Island Museum of American Art, History, and Carriages facts for kids
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| Established | 1939 |
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| Location | 1200 Route 25A Stony Brook, New York, 11790 |
| Type | art museum, local history museum, transport museum |
| Founder | Ward Melville |
The Long Island Museum of American Art, History, and Carriages, often called the Long Island Museum (LIM), is a special place in Stony Brook, New York. It covers nine acres and helps the Long Island community. The museum keeps and shows amazing collections of art, historical items, and old carriages. It also offers fun learning programs for everyone. The LIM works with other art and cultural groups too.
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What is the Long Island Museum?
The Long Island Museum wants to help people of all ages understand and enjoy American art, history, and carriages. It shares these topics through the stories of Long Island and its many different communities. Since 1973, the museum has been approved by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM). This means it meets high standards for its exhibits, programs, and how it cares for its collections. In 2006, the museum became a Smithsonian Affiliate. This connects it to the famous Smithsonian museums across the country.
How Did the Long Island Museum Start?
The Long Island Museum began in 1939. It was first called the Suffolk Museum. A kind local leader named Ward Melville started it. He worked with his wife, Dorothy Bigelow Melville, and other important people. These included naturalist Robert Cushman Murphy, doctor Winifred Curtis, and insurance broker O.C. Lempfert.
The idea for a museum in Stony Brook came from O.C. Lempfert. He loved hunting and taxidermy, which is preparing animal specimens. He showed his collection at a friend's house. Doctor Winifred Curtis started bringing local children to see it. When the house was sold in 1939, Mrs. Ward Melville helped find a new home for the collection. It moved to an empty building called the Stone Jug. This "Little Museum in the Jug" officially became the Suffolk Museum on December 28, 1939.
Growing the Museum's Collections
In 1948, Ward Melville bought the Stony Brook Hotel and its land. This allowed the museum to grow. It also fit his plan to make Stony Brook look more historic. The museum moved to a bigger, better space. Mr. Melville also loved horses and driving carriages. So, a Carriage House was built. It opened in 1951 with eighty vehicles and related art.
During the 1950s, several old buildings were moved to the museum grounds. These included the Samuel H. West Blacksmith Shop from Setauket, Long Island. This shop was used until 1938.
In 1956, the one-room Nassakeag Schoolhouse was moved there. It was built in 1877 and used as a school until 1910. Also in 1956, the Ploch-Williamson Barn was given to the museum. This barn was built in 1794 and is important to local farming history. Today, museum teachers use these buildings for programs with students.
New Name and More Space
In 1973, the Suffolk Museum changed its name to The Museums at Stony Brook. This new name showed that it had grown to include three main collections: art, history, and carriages.
The 1970s brought more space for the growing collections. In 1973, the Art Museum building was finished. It was designed by Becker & Arelt. They also designed the changes to an old lumber mill across Route 25A. This became the History Museum in 1977.
By the 1980s, the carriage collection needed even more room. The old Carriage House was taken down in 1985. A new, larger Carriage Museum opened in 1987. This new building provided much-needed space for storing and showing the carriages.
In 2000, the museum changed its name again. It became the Long Island Museum of American Art, History, and Carriages.
Today, the museum covers land on both sides of Route 25A. It has seven buildings, including the Art Museum, History Museum, and Carriage Museum. You can also find outdoor sculptures, a cemetery, gardens, and a beautiful horse fountain that once stood in New York City.
What Can You See at the Museum?
The Long Island Museum collects and protects items related to its interests. It shares these through exhibits, research, and educational programs. The LIM has over 50,000 items! These are grouped into three main areas: art and archives, history, and carriages.
Art and Archives Collection
The museum's art collection has almost 450 paintings, 2,000 works on paper, and 40 sculptures. It continues to grow with new items. Famous New York artists in the collection include William Sidney Mount, William Merritt Chase, Louis Comfort Tiffany, and Fairfield Porter.
The museum also has a large collection of historical papers in the Kate Strong Historical Library. These include letters, diaries, and other documents. They tell the stories of the region and the people who lived and worked there. This library helps staff, scholars, and the public learn more.
William Sidney Mount's Art
The LIM has the largest collection of art by William Sidney Mount (1807–1868). This includes his oil paintings, drawings, and many personal papers. The collection also features art from his talented family members.
William Sidney Mount was a very popular artist in America during his time. His work was even shared widely in other countries. Today, he is still seen as one of the most important American artists of the 1800s. Some of his most famous paintings at the museum are Dance of the Haymakers (1845), Farmers Nooning (1836), and The Banjo Player (1855).
History Collection
The museum's history collection has many items from the 1800s to the late 1900s. These items show what life was like on Long Island. It includes over 2,500 household items and nearly 1,200 decorative art pieces like ceramics and glass. You can also see furniture made on Long Island, local bird decoys, and a variety of clothing from the 1700s to today.
Mary and Philip Hulitar Textile Collection
A big part of the LIM's history collection is its clothing and textile collection. It has over 10,000 historical textiles. These include men's, women's, and children's clothing from the 1700s to now. The collection focuses on American-made clothing, especially from New York. It also has pieces by famous European designers. You can see everything from formal gowns to work uniforms, and accessories like hats and shoes. The museum also has a small collection of quilts and samplers.
Decoy Collection
Since the museum first opened, visitors have loved its impressive Long Island decoy collection. Decoys are fake birds used to attract real birds for hunting. The collection has over 210 folk art wildfowl decoys. These were made by skilled Long Island craftsmen and other carvers from the eastern United States.
Carriage Collection
The museum's carriage collection is famous around the world. It has nearly 200 horse-drawn vehicles, most of which are still in their original condition. There are also over 25,000 other items related to carriages. This includes tools for making carriages and harnesses. The collection also has over 225 carriage-related clothing items.
Ward Melville started collecting these vehicles in the early 1940s. They range from light phaetons to heavy sleighs and even fire-fighting vehicles. The collection includes vehicles made in America and European-style carriages. The European gallery shows carriages from places like Bavaria, Italy, France, and England.
The Dr. Charles W. Gerstenberg Carriage Reference Library is located in the Carriage Museum. It has many old prints, photos, and rare books about the carriage era. This library is open to researchers by appointment.
Famous Carriages to Explore
The Tally-Ho Road Coach (1875) was given to the museum in 2008. It was made in London by Holland & Holland. Colonel Delancey Astor Kane (1844–1915), a wealthy founder of New York's Coaching Club, bought it and brought it to the United States. This bright yellow coach was driven from Manhattan to Pelham, New York, starting in 1876. It became nationally famous, offering rides to New Yorkers and was written about in many publications.
The Grace Darling Omnibus (around 1880) was given to the museum in 1952. This large omnibus, sometimes called a "barge," was mainly used in New England for trips. Many of these vehicles were named after famous people. This one is named after Grace Darling, a brave maritime hero who rescued shipwreck survivors in 1838. This omnibus was used by the Huntress family, who owned a livery business in Maine. Later, it was used by St. Paul's School to transport sports teams.
The Wells Fargo Wagon (around 1870) was given to the museum in 1959. The Wells Fargo Overland Express Company was very important in America's westward expansion. It provided coach travel for people and mail. This heavy mud wagon was made by Abbot-Downing Company. It was painted in Wells Fargo's standard red and yellow, without fancy decorations.
Four Bavarian State Coaches (around 1850) were given to the museum in 1967. These came from the Nymphenburg Palace in Munich, Germany. A state coach was a formal vehicle used by kings, queens, or high officials for important events. These four coaches belonged to Prince Albert of Bavaria (1818–1875).
The Gypsy Wagon (1860–1885) joined the collection in 1955. Gypsy wagons, also called vardos, were used for traveling, fortune-telling, and as homes. This particular vardo (Romani wagon) belonged to Mrs. Phoebe Broadway Stanley, known as the Gypsy Queen Phoebe. This wagon is beautifully decorated with paintings, carvings, and etched glass.
Learning and Fun at the Museum
Education is a very important part of the museum's purpose. Besides its regular and changing exhibits, the LIM offers many learning programs. These include workshops, family festivals, and talks for people of all ages.
Public Programs for Everyone
The Education Department offers many programs for community members of all ages. These public programs include interesting talks, music shows, and workshops throughout the year. They often connect to the current exhibits.
In the Moment is a special program for people with Alzheimer's disease and other memory loss. The museum works with care facilities to offer an interactive exhibit experience. This helps spark imagination and encourages participation.
Senior Tuesday happens once a month. On this day, when the museum is usually closed, seniors (62 and older) can enjoy a free, self-guided tour of an exhibit.
Music@LIM is a music series that presents concerts at the museum. It features different types of music and works with local groups. These include North Shore Pro Musica and the Bluegrass Club of Long Island. There are also annual concerts with well-known artists.
