Year-Round Projects & Exhibits at The Long Island Maritime Museum

Lifecar from the USLSS station in Bellport, used to rescue up to six people at one time.

From Seashells to Sailors...

On permanent display in the Museum’s North Gallery is the Wrecks & Rescuers Exhibit, which is based on the Annuals of the United States Life Saving Service, maps, archival photographs, newspapers and personal accounts.

The Elward Smith Library houses a collection of local 19th and 20th century racing trophies, along with a comprehensive database of more than 500 recorded wrecks and groundings in the waters of Long Island.

Additional rotating exhibits are on view in other galleries throughout the Museum. The collections of the Maritime Museum encompass buildings on the Museum grounds. The main building is an original structure from the Meadow Edge estate. The Bayman's Cottage, The Frank F. Penney Boat Shop and the William Rudolph Oyster House were all moved to the Museum grounds to illustrate the area's maritime history.

In fact, the William Rudolph Oyster House is an example of typical oyster culling houses that once dominated the south shore of Long Island.

WRECKS, WRETCHED & RESCUERS
This exhibit focuses on the true stories of 18th &19th century storms, shipwrecks, pirates,
and the US Life Saving Service whose commission it was to protect life and property along the coast.

1888 OYSTER SLOOP PRISCILLA
The flagship of the museum, learn about Priscilla’s story and historical 19 month restoration. An opportunity to get up close and personal with this unique, functioning artifact.

WHAT IS AN OYSTER?
The oysters of the east coast, known as the American or Eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginiaca, propagate natururally in select areas where the salinity, temperature, food supply and bottom are in favorable balance.

LATEST PROJECT COMPLETE!
If you’ve ever wanted to see how boats are crafted and made sea-worthy then you'll love watching our skilled boat builders create everything from this Skerry sailing / rowing skiff to larger vessels.

GOING DUTCH
From the Netherlands to Long Island, learn about West Sayville’s Dutch Heritage from extraordinary photos and very rare postcards portraying life in Yerseke brought here by the Daane family.

 

SAILING VESSEL REPLICAS
Almost every nook and cranny of the museum is where you’ll find some sort of sailing replica. Intricately rigged historical ships true to the finest detail, sail boats, even tugboats are a wonder to behold.

FRANK F. PENNEY BOAT SHOP
Originally constructed in Center Moriches, this is one of nine historic buildings on the grounds. You can visit all of them when you’re here.

MARITIME LIBRARY
Adorned with racing cups and trophies, our library has hundreds of books about every aspect of maritime life, from adventures on the high seas to lifestyles of famous men and women who called Long Island their home.

THE BAYMAN’S COTTAGE
This cottage is decorated inside and out with original architecture and furnishings making it a totally realistic living quarters, just like the abundant cottages on Long Island used by baymen in the late 1800’s.