Heritage Day 2020 – Virtual Celebration

The Heritage Day Virtual Celebration was an unqualified success!  It featured a parade led by the Orient Fire Department as Grand Marshal; readings by community stalwarts of the Declaration of Independence; the singing of God Bless America; the Pledge of Allegiance (all newly recorded!), and much more.

Scores of Oysterponds families tuned in via Zoom at noon on July 5th and enjoyed the red, white and blue festivities–in spite of some unfortunate technical issues.  For those of you who were unable to watch it “live” and for those of you who would like to experience it all over again, here’s a link to the video recording with virtually all of the technical glitches eliminated.

Heritage Day 2020 Virtual Celebration VIDEO

The video recording is a great aural and visual keepsake of a Heritage Day that succeeded in spite of the current, daunting challenges.

P.S.  Franklin Mastrangelo deserves a explicit apology due to the fact that his sensational singing was zapped, thanks to the vagaries of Optimum’s internet service, from the original airing of the Virtual Celebration. We are pleased to report that his stirring rendition of “God Bless America” is restored to all its glory in the recording.

Slavery

Indentured Servitude

Labor Camps

In Orient and East Marion in the 17th, 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries

The Oysterponds Historical Society has formed a Working Group to research the history of these practices in our community.  We are working with historians, archeologists, and other experts, but we need your help to develop a comprehensive, accurate understanding of how these shaped our culture, values, lives, community.

Please share with us:

•  Documents

•  Photographs

•  Oral Histories

•  Information about the Slaves Burying Ground

•  Any other Related Items or Materials

Following our study, OHS will develop literature, exhibits, programs, and new signage to explain these important issues.

Please contact:

Sarah Sands, Executive Director

sarah.sands@ohsny.org

(631) 323-2480

click here for more information