BBP Heritage Association

It was almost two years ago Covid entered our lives. All of us have suffered in some way shape or form whether it was our health, or our loved ones, business, financial, social and so many more. We've all had to make those hard decisions that come with a quarantine and a global pandemic; missing family gatherings, postponing weddings and just missing out on the typical, ordinary day to day activities and social interactions.

The good news is we are still moving forward as best we can. Keeping the faith, keeping safe and healthy and keep on keeping on...

Mark your calendars! Bayport-Blue Point Chamber of Commerce’s 32nd Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade is Sunday, March 13, 2022. The BBPHA will be marching along again!

Our Grand Marshal for the 2022 Parade is Matthew “Matty” McGuire. Two years ago, Matt was supposed to be the Grand Marshal for the 2020 parade but Covid cancelled those plans for two long years. We are glad the parade is a go and Matt will be leading the way!

Matt is from the Bayport Blue Point Little League where he has served as President for almost 10 years. Starting at 11 a.m. at the corner of Snedecor Avenue and Montauk Highway in Bayport, the parade ends down Blue Point Avenue in Blue Point. Join us on March 13, 2022 for the Bayport Blue Point St. Patrick's Day parade.

What Came Before: A Brief History of the South Bay House and the St. Ursula Center

BBPHA board member Frank Giebfried returns to present his popular lecture, first held on the Bayport Blue Point Library's opening day. Travel back in time with Frank and learn about what came before the new library on 186 Middle Road. The South Bay house was perhaps the grandest of Blue Point's many summer vacation destinations. This massive boarding house could accommodate 300 visitors in over 100 rooms. Guests enjoyed fine dining, live music and dancing in the evenings, and many activities on the bay. The Ursuline sisters purchased the property in 1935 and used their convent as a novitiate, religious training center, and retirement home. The sisters were a positive force in our community for over 80 years. Come travel back in time and explore the fascinating histories that took place on the grounds of the new library.

Registration is required through the BBP Library. You may register online, by phone or in person starting February 5th. Non-residents may register starting February 7th.

This article was written by Gene Horton and first printed in the BBP Gazette. It is reprinted here with permission.

February 2005

This old postcard probably dates from the 1920's. It shows two large reels used to dry fishing nets in the old days. The reels are set up along the east shore of an unbulkheaded Brown's River in Bayport.

Years ago, commercial fisherman used these reels to dry out their nets and prevent them from rotting. If nets were just piled on the beach they would tend to rot when they laid in the rainwater, puddles or snow. While on these large reels, the nets could also be mended as needed.

Bay and ocean fishermen used to bring in shad, herring, stripers, fluke, flounder and striped bass. Fishermen would certainly use these large drying reels especially at the end of the season or after a good catch.

In the 1920's, this old postcard was addressed to: Mr. Charles H. Delano, 512 Lexington Ave., Brooklyn, NY: and the written message on the face of the postcard read: "We all (except Bert) spent Wednesday in Bayport. Happy day for this April 23 & all, Grace"

Long Island Historical Societies (formerly Association of Suffolk County Historical Societies-ASCHS) was founded by Robert David Lion Gardiner in 1969. Two key elements of its Mission were described in the 1969 Charter:

"To coordinate and unite the various historical societies located in Suffolk County, New York, as well as to preserve and work for the preservation of historical societies, buildings and landmarks in the County. To promote and encourage historical research, and to foster and promote public knowledge of and interest in local and national history."

The organization decided to expand and promote all historical societies from Long Island. LIHS website can be found here. They have an informative newsletter that comes out twice a month. Consider signing up, becoming a member or just checking out the programs and events of local historical societies from Montauk to Manhattan.

Look for our General Membership meetings to begin again in March. More info to come....

Email: bbphistorical@gmail.com
Website: www.BayportBluePointHeritage.org
Location: Meadow Croft Estate, Middle Road, Sayville, NY, USA
Phone: 631-472-4625
Facebook: facebook.com/BayportBluePointHeritageASsociation
Twitter: @BayportHistory