The Long Island History Project

The waters of Lake Ronkonkoma have seen it all: Native Americans, English settlers, Broadway actresses, 20th century resort-goers and automobile racers. No one knows this better than Evelyn Vollgraff, president of the Lake Ronkonkoma Historical Society. Today we dive into the history of the lake, the many myths and legends that surround this very heart of the Island. Joining us again is Danielle Campbell of News 12, who had her own part to play in the story of Lake Ronkonkoma. This is part 1 of 2. Join us in two weeks to hear what it takes to preserve a 243-acre body of water.

Dr. John Strong, professor emeritus of Southampton College, has spent a career pursuing the history of Long Island's Native Americans. His latest achievement is bringing to life the earliest days of American whaling, using what amounts to 17th century spreadsheets. He uncovers an East End in a whaling frenzy. Start-up companies (called whale designs) organized by the promiment familes of the area turned to an emerging generation of Native Americans to man their boats and hunt whales off the shore. It could be brutal, bloody, and incredibly profitable. Further Research America's Early Whalemen: Indain Shore Whalers on Long Island, 1650-1750 Southampton History Museum Skeletal Remains Found at Construction Site (27East) Shinnecock Hills Preservation Fund

We usher in the holiday season early with this deep dive into the Charles Dickens Festival in Port Jefferson. Five of the driving forces behind the Festival, including four of the actors, tell us what it's like re-enacting the Victorian Era and what Dickens means to them. Further Research Arts Council Greater Port Jefferson Northern Brookhaven One Life to Give The Brigands Lifetime: One

Kerriann Flanagan Brosky investigates ghosts and other paranormal phenomenon on Long Island. She has long been fascinated with the links between local history and ghostly sightings, weaving the two together in her books. With her partner Joe Giaquinto, she has investigated and written about Long Island's old buildings and homes and the spirits who inhabit them. Further Research Kerriann Flanagan Brosky Books by Kerriann (via WorldCat) Joe Giaquinto (Long Island Medium and Ghost Investigator) Peter Underwood (The Independent, 2/6/2015) William Sidney Mount (National Gallery of Art) Long Island Crime Expo (11/3/2018)

Joe Mandanici describes the 1974 fire at Dowling College in Oakdale from his vantage point as a volunteer firefighter at the scene.

Who knew that firehouses were such deep sources of local history? In the town of Islip, they are overflowing with trophies, photos, devices, and mechanisms going back to the 1800s. There was so much history, in fact, that a dedicated group of firefighters and volunteers spent over two decades making the Islip Town Fire & EMS Museum a reality. Hear Tom Rinelli, the museum's historian, describe that rich history and what it tells us about life (and fires) on Long Island, the evolution of firefighting, and the unique brotherhood of people who volunteer to run into burning buildings. Further Research. Islip Town Fire & EMS Museum Nassau County Firefighters Museum Brookhaven Volunteer Firefighters Museum American Truck Historical Society Long Island Chapter Association of Nassau County Fire Historians

This is a feed-only episode of the Project, recorded during a podcast workshop at the Rogers Memorial Library in Southampton. We did a few quick takes with the group, asking them about their memories of summer in the area. In my defense, I had been told that blueberries in Southampton were a thing. Many thanks to everyone who attended and I hope you like the results. I look forward to your future podcast endeavors!

Matthew Monelione is back to discuss his new fantasy comic book series set in Revolutionary War-era Long Island. If you are a fan of history, JRR Tolkien, or the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, you'll want to check it out. We discuss what it takes to produce an independent comic as well as Matt's on-going research into the Loyalist experience on Long Island. We also pitch a few ideas for new Long Island history comic series. Further Research Spirit Guild @SpiritGuildBook @SpiritGuild on Instagram Comix Central Patriots Against Loyalists on Eastern Long Island, 1775-1776 Episode 48: Floyds Like Us

Margo Arceri grew up with history. A native of Strong's Neck in Setauket, she learned early on the stories of Anna Smith Strong and the role she played in the Culper Spy Ring during the Revolution. She got to explore the very coves and inlets that sheltered Brewster Caleb and Abraham Woodhull. And she heard it all from Anna's great great granddaughter. This is a special cross-over episode featuring Margo and Danielle Campbell, newsanchor and journalist for News Channel 12. Make sure you check out Danielle's interview about her career in radio and New York journalism on episode 7 of the Radio Tower, the official podcast of the Long Island Radio & Television Historical Society. Further Research: Tri-Spy Tours Redcoats and Petticoats by Katherine Kirkpatrick and Ronald Himler The Memoir of Col. Benjamin Tallmadge Stories of Old Long Island by Birdsall Jackson The Truth Behind the Spies: Decoding AMC's Turn (Bev Tyler)

Behind every great woman stands another great woman and Natalie Naylor is bringing them to light. Her book, Women in Long Island's Past (History Press, 2012), highlights the number of notable women who have achievevd so much on Long Island over the centuries.