Ocean Beach Historical Society

In 1980, the Ocean Beach Historical Society was founded as a non-profit institution dedicated to the collection, preservation, and exhibition of photographs, artifacts, and documents pertaining to the history of Ocean Beach . In addition, the Society supports local artists whose work is in some way relevant to or evocative of life in Ocean Beach or Fire Island, by providing opportunities for them to exhibit and/or sell their work. A portion of the proceeds of these sales benefits the Society. The Society was founded through the efforts of Roberta Gratz, who secured the grants and charter, and then-mayor Thomas Schwarz, who granted the Society space in the Community House and helped establish the Society as an important community organization. The Society is now jointly supported by the Ocean Beach Community Fund and the Incorporated Village of Ocean Beach.

Our collection contains over 1,000 photos and artifacts, including postcards, posters, concert and theater programs, oral histories, buttons, period costumes, and furniture. Each season we acquire several new items (usually donated by homeowners) that tell us yet another story about life in Ocean Beach , yesterday and today.

Our exhibits have highlighted the important historical events that have had the biggest impact on life in Fire Island, and have depicted our way of life and the way it has changed over the years. Other exhibits have showcased the collections of local residents, people who’ve collected the images and memorabilia that tell their stories and stories of the island. We’ve also tried to show residents and visitors what makes life on Fire Island unique, like no other place in the world. Past exhibits include Crossing the Great South Bay, Firefighting in Ocean Beach, The Isabella Frazer Adler Collection, and The Wally Pickard Collection.

We are located on Bay Walk in the Community House in Ocean Beach , directly across from the post office. Our season begins in late June and runs through Labor Day. In the off-season, you can reach us at the above address. (Our phone service is suspended in the winter.) Please call us in June or check back at this site for our calendar of upcoming events.

A Brief History of Fire Island

 Fire Island is a barrier island located off the south shore of Long Island in New York . It measures approximately 30 miles, from Fire Island Inlet to the west and Moriches Inlet to the east. It is 1/2 mile wide at its widest point.

Perhaps the most interesting history surrounding Fire Island is that which has to do with the origin of the name Fire Island. “ Fire Island” was first used on a deed belonging to Henry Smith dated September 15, 1789. There are many theories surrounding the origin of the name but no definite answer. Here are several theories for you to mull over:

  1. One possibility is that “Fire” comes from a misreading of “Five” on early maps. In 1688 there were five islands in the bay, although over the years these islands have varied in number and shape.

  2. According to Madeleine C. Johnson in her book Fire Island :1650’s - 1980’s, “Some scholars believe that a misspelling of the Dutch word ‘vier,’ meaning four, as ‘fier’ was corrupted to ‘fire.’” Again, this word would have appeared on an early map of the region.

  3. Some believe that actual fires led to the name. During its history, Fire Island was home to fires built by Native Americans, whaling crews, and fishing crews to signal the mainland for supplies, to guide colleagues into the bay, and to light their camps. The largest fires of all were built by whalers who would “try out” their catches (through this process they would boil down blubber into whale oil). Fires were also built by “wreckers” in an attempt to lure unsuspecting ships to shore, where they would crash and could later be plundered. Whatever the purpose of the fires, the lack of vegetation and buildings allowed smoke and fires to be seen both day and night from both the mainland and the sea.

  4. The final theory is that Native Americans awarded the island its name as a reference to the burning rash that they (and many of us!) developed after coming in contact with that ever-so-hardy plant, poison ivy!

Ocean Beach is Fire Island’s largest year-round town.

The incorporated village of Ocean Beach was formed in 1921 when John A. Wilbur’s tract of land was merged with the existing Stay-A-While Estates.

The municipality of Ocean Beach elects a mayor and four trustees to govern, has its own court system, as well as police, fire, water, sewage, and maintenance departments. Ocean Beach also contains Fire Island’s only school. The first Fire Island school opened in Ocean Beach in 1918.

The first deer sightings on Fire Island occurred in the 1860’s. It is believed that the deer probably traveled over the bay when it was frozen solid.

Fire Island consists of 18 communities running east to west in the following order:

  • Watch Hill*

  • Davis Park

  • Water Island

  • Fire Island Pines

  • Cherry Grove

  • Sailor’s Haven*

  • Sunken Forest*

  • Oakleyville

  • Point O’Woods

  • Ocean Bay Park

  • Seaview

  • Ocean Beach

  • Corneille Estates

  • Fire Island Summer Club

  • Robbins Rest

  • Atlantique

  • Lonelyville

  • Dunewood

  • Fair Harbor

  • Saltaire

  • Kismet

* These are Fire Island National Seashore entities. There are no private residences in these areas.

Membership

For more than 20 years, the Ocean Beach Historical Society has collected, preserved, and exhibited the photographs, artifacts, and memorabilia that tell the fascinating stories of Ocean Beach, reminding residents and visitors alike of the rich historical legacy of the communities here in our Fire Island paradise. YOUR MEMBERSHIPS have helped us research, develop and mount exhibits as varied and interesting as Crossing the Great South Bay (1999), A History of Firefighting in Ocean Beach (2002), Stormy History (1992), and As it Was: The Wally Pickard Collection (2004).

We are thrilled to be in a brand-new space that offers us boundless opportunities, and we would like to thank Mayor Rogers, the Board of Trustees, Mary Anne Minerva and Kevin Schelling of the Incorporated Village of Ocean Beach for their dedication to this project and for their support of the Society. The redesigned gallery offers us more hanging space, vaulted ceilings, and bright, beautiful lighting. French doors allow us access to the deck, space we can use for our opening receptions and for special exhibits and demonstrations. While the new space offers opportunities previously unavailable to us, we are also facing several new challenges, including outfitting the gallery and storage spaces so that our artifacts can be properly exhibited and secured. These are big projects ahead!

The Society is generously supported by the Ocean Beach Community Fund, but we need support from individuals like you to help us meet this year’s fundraising goal of $12,000. We are hoping to drastically increase both the number of memberships and the dollars we’ve received in the past, so we need your help now!

Our membership levels are as follows:

  • $50 Individual

  • $75 Family

  • $100 Contributor

  • $200 Business

  • $250 Gold

We are pleased to be able to offer a free gift for each membership, and we are happy to introduce the Gold Membership. Gold Members will receive a free OBHS tote bag, designed by Sallie Potterton. (Gifts must be picked up at the Society. We are unable to mail them.) So, if you’ve enjoyed our exhibits, and if you are able, won’t you consider supporting the Historical Society this year? Thank you.

To join the Society, send your name, preferred mailing address, phone number, membership level, and a check made payable to the OBHS to: P.O. Box 701, Ocean Beach, NY 11770. We accept mail all year long. Or, stop into the Society in July to pick up our most recent membership letter.

Thank you for your support!

Research, Retrieval, and Reproduction Policy

The Ocean Beach Historical Society welcomes those who wish to research local history. If you would like to see materials not currently on display, we ask that you observe the following guidelines. We have established this policy in order to accommodate visitors’ requests, to maintain the condition and integrity of the collection, and to respect the rights of donors, photographers, and artists.

Requests must be submitted in writing via our “Request to Retrieve Materials” form or via letter. Requests are reviewed and processed within 7 gallery business days, if possible. (Please note our hours and days of operation.) Viewings are by appointment, and all materials must stay on the premises. We do not permit on-site scanning, photography, videotaping, or reproduction of any kind. There is a $25 retrieval fee (waived for current members).

The Ocean Beach Historical Society cannot grant requests to reproduce photos, postcards, maps, original artwork or documents of any kind.

Special requests for those doing academic or professional research must be submitted in writing, along with the appropriate credentials, and will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Fees will be assessed accordingly.

Application for Artist Exhibition

Every summer the Ocean Beach Historical Society tries to include one artist exhibition as part of its seasonal program. The artist exhibition is usually 2-3 weeks long and held in mid- to late July. Due to increased interest and our short season, we have found it necessary to standardize our review process for submissions and consideration.

What is the review process?

Usually in late August the Society’s board has its final meeting of the season. It is then that exhibition possibilities for the upcoming year are reviewed and discussed. All artists who have expressed interest and have sent a submission package are considered. Each submission is discussed individually and may be voted on immediately, but more often than not, the board chooses to ponder exhibition possibilities over the winter, and final decisions are often not reached until March or early April.

What are the criteria?

Paintings, photographs, and three-dimensional works are all possible candidates for an exhibition. Works will be judged on their artistic merits and on their pertinence to Ocean Beach and Fire Island. Relevance to Fire Island is defined broadly: it could include a watercolor seascape, an assemblage of native shells, even photographs of children at the July 4th baby parade. The Board must agree, however, that the work has the feel of Fire Island. Photographs of Paris or the Caribbean would probably not fit this definition.

Having at least a portion of the works you choose to exhibit for sale is encouraged. The Ocean Beach Historical Society commands a commission of no less than 20% of all artwork sold through the gallery. The Ocean Beach Historical Society reserves the right to disqualify any artwork or series of works that presents an out-of-ordinary risk of physical injury or illness to gallery visitors or staff.

How does one apply?

We recommend that you send 5-10 examples of your work in the form of color photocopies or expendable photographs. Please do not send slides. Do not send original work or costly portfolios; we are not responsible for lost or damaged submissions. If you want your work returned to you, please enclose an appropriate envelope with sufficient postage. Please include a written statement about your artwork, your connections to Fire Island, and your background and training. Please include both summer and winter contact information. Send your submission no later than August 15.

This application process has been developed to give every artist interested in exhibiting at the Ocean Beach Historical Society the same chance as his or her peers, and to ensure that a variety of exhibits will hang in the gallery over the years.