Exhibits & Events

UPCOMING AND CURRENT EXHIBITS

For full details and to register for any of the Suffolk County Historical Society's upcoming events, please call: (631) 727-2881.

INVENTING CHILDHOOD:
Victorian Era Toys, Games, and Dolls, and the Invention of the Modern Child
Opening Reception: Saturday, December 11, 2021, 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Light refreshments will be served
The concept of "childhood" has not always been what it is today; in fact, for most of history it was something very different indeed. Children were viewed as mini-adults, and childhood a time for strict moral instruction, or work, or both. Changes in attitude came slowly, with the final great shift towards "modern childhood" blossoming in the Victorian Era. Childhood finally became seen as a time of carefree innocence, whimsy, imagination, and, most of all, fun! Come see dozens of Victorian Era childhood wonders from our collection - toys, dolls, card games, boardgames, puzzles. and more - all in our Weathervane Gallery, Dec. 11 thru April 3. See life through the eyes of a child living a century or more ago! We guarantee you'll find something that will warm your heart.

SEEKING SANCTUARY:
125 Years of Synagogues on Long Island
In our Gish Gallery. Exhibit extended to December 23, 2021, by popular demand!
Exhibit sponsored by the Jewish Historical Society of Long Island. Curated by Brad Kolodny.
Six years ago curator Brad Kolodny set out to document and photograph every synagogue that has ever existed in Nassau and Suffolk. Four years later he completed that task, having photographed 385 buildings that at one time were, or currently are, being used as a synagogue. This exhibit showcases a sampling of Kolodny's images based on their historic significance, architectural design, and other unique attributes. This unique collection of images tells the story of Judaism's evolution on the island--from the humble beginnings of the first synagogue built in 1896 and the massive growth following World War II to today.

AMERICA IN PRINT
Prints, Lithographs and Etchings from the SCHS Collection
In our Staas Gallery
Before the 1800s, art was largely reserved for the wealthy, but with the invention of lithography in 1796 - and particularly color lithography in 1837 - printers were able to mass-produce beautiful color prints that were cheap enough for anyone to buy. Suddenly, art was available to all and everyone could decorate their homes and offices with any of the thousands of images offered by such notable printers as Louis Prang, Napoleon Sarony, and Currier and Ives. Featuring themes of nineteenth-century life in landscapes, cityscapes, ships, racehorses, scenes from literature, politics, Civil War battle scenes, and rare examples of "lithographic Long Island," this exhibit captures the evolution of an American art form.

SILVERBROOK ART GLASS WORKS (1943 - 1976)
Hand-blown glass art manufactured with centuries-old techniques by the Kreutz brothers of Riverhead
Now in Our History in the Hall display cases
For the first time in over 30 years our entire Silverbrook Collection will be showcased in our museum! After fleeing their native Czechoslovakia in 1937 in fear of a Hitler invasion, the four Kreutz brothers came to the United States as fifth-generation glass-blowers, settling in Suffolk County and establishing their glassworks company on Flanders Road in Riverhead. Unlike most other glassware manufacturers using machines at the time, Joseph, Henry, Frank, and John Kreutz used the traditional centuries-old hand-blown glass techniques they had learned in their homeland to create extraordinary glass art pieces.

LONG ISLAND IN CONFLICT
a Newly Interpreted Permanent Exhibit
This newly renovated and permanent exhibit, "Long Island in Conflict," offers uniforms, weapons, medals, and other objects from our permanent collection, honoring Long Island's contribution to our country's defense.

BE A WITNESS TO HISTORY!
The Suffolk County Historical Society invites you to be a witness to our living history. Please consider sharing your COVID-19 experiences for our historic archives. Email your stories to: librarian@schs-museum.org. Be sure to put "COVID-19" in your subject line and to include your location and contact information.

ONGOING

MEMBERSHIP DRIVE!
Please join the Suffolk County Historical Society and support local history preservation. Founded in 1886, SCHS is a non-profit organization that collects and preserves the rich history of Suffolk County. We operate a history museum, an expansive library and archives, and a multitude of events, programs, and educational lectures and workshops. Our unique and ever-growing collection of artifacts reflects more than three centuries of local history. Visit our website or call 631-727-2881 for more information.

SCHS PHOTO OF THE WEEK SERIES!
To subscribe to our popular Photo of the Week Series, send an email to librarian Wendy Polhemus-Annibell: wannibell@schs-museum.org.

OFF-SITE EXHIBITIONS

SUFFOLK COUNTY PINE BARRENS PICTORIAL EXHIBIT
On display at the Suffolk County Water Authority Education Center in Hauppauge. A standing display on loan from the Suffolk County Historical Society provides an overview of the history of the Pine Barrens and the critical role this region plays in the protection of Suffolk County's precious groundwater. The SCWA Education Center is located at 260 Motor Pkwy, Hauppauge, NY.