OHS holds one of the most significant collections representing a single location on Long Island. The collection has more than 60,000 items dating to the earliest days of the North Fork’s settlement by the people of the Algonquin Nation, nearly all collected from Orient and East Marion. The collection of documents and photographs has more than 11,500 cataloged items with many more awaiting inventory. The library consists of more than 4,600 books about Oysterponds history and that of the surrounding region.
Major strengths of the collection include:
Oysterponds Historical Society is committed to caring for our collections responsibly. This includes following best practices for acquisition, loans, access, conservation, use, records management, and deaccession. These are described in the Collections Management Policy.
OHS follows the Code of Ethics of the American Alliance of Museums. Other professional organizations to which we refer for guidance in ethics and best practices in collections management include the Museum Association of New York, the American Association for State and Local History, the International Council on Museums.
Image Requests
Oysterponds Historical Society may grant use to images of archival materials and artwork in its collections for approved purposes. Please note that any approved use will be for one-time, non-exclusive use only. Other terms and conditions may apply as described in the Photo and Image Policy. All image requests are coordinated the by the Collection Manager, who can be contacted at collections@ohsny.org or at 631-323-3538.
Donations to the Collections
If you are interested in donating an object or archival document that relates to the history of Orient or East Marion, we would be happy to discuss your potential donation. Please be aware that no staff, board members, or committee members may give appraisals for the purpose of establishing fair-market value of gifts offered to OHS. Donors desiring to take an income tax deduction must have an independent appraisal made of the value of their gift. Identification of objects may be made, however, for professional and educational purposes. For more information, please review our policy on Appraisal Information for Donors and the General Public.
Please contact the Collections Manager with any questions at collections@ohsny.org or at 631-323-3538
Appraisal Information for Donors and the General Public
Code of Ethics of the American Alliance of Museums
Museum Association of New York
American Association for State and Local History
International Council on Museums
Interested in the history of Orient and East Marion? Want to learn more about the history of your family or property? You have come to the right place! The Oysterponds Historical Society has a variety of research resources, including publications, videos, historic films, and large collections of archival documents, photographs, recordings, books, and historic objects.
For information on setting up an appointment to visit the collections for research purposes, please contact the Collections Manager at collections@ohsny.org or at 631-323-3538.
Print Publications
The Oysterponds Historical Society has a large and very rich collection of archives, photographs, and objects documenting the history of Orient and East Marion. Researchers have drawn on these resources to produce a marvelous set of publications. These books illustrate not only local history and culture but also broader themes that run throughout American history, including women’s lives in the nineteenth century. The publications contain compelling material on our nation’s conflicts, decorative arts, and fine arts, especially photography.
Books can be purchased from the Beach Plum Shop in Village House at the Oysterponds Historical Society.
Digital Publications
Historic Orient Village is a pictorial guide to the old buildings in the Orient Historic District with historical and architectural notes on over 100 such structures. Its publication, in 1976, was a testament to community awareness of the value of historic preservation and documentation, and to the dedication of a great many members of the community to the efforts necessary to achieve national designation. A little more than thirty years earlier, in 1944, over 400 members of the community had become charter members and subscribers of the Oysterponds Historical Society, and had contributed to the purchase of Village House, its first museum building. The reader should be assured that the spirit of preservation, continuity, and respect for the history of the community is alive and vigorous.
Historical Review, is a collection of essays written by founding members of OHS from 1959. This booklet includes the story of the founding of OHS, a history of Orient, a tour of Village House, poems, and other entries. Oysterponds Historical Society, Orient, NY. Digital reprint.
Webb House Move 1955
In 1955, Webb House was moved by boat to Orient from its location in Greenport and placed with the front facing Poquatuck Park. It is now an integral part of the Oysterponds Historical Society campus.
https://youtu.be/O713at_HJoM?si=Z5BdQ9hQZmnyd6Ni
History & Houses: The Foundation of a New Society, Winter Lecture Series 2016, by John Holzapfel
John Holzapfel, former President of the Oysterponds Historical Society, gives a presentation on the history of the Society’s seven buildings and how they served as the foundation for the Society’s formation.
https://youtu.be/8dBtV0DPwmc?si=x8XB2byQE_bP3KJP
Highlights of the Collection, Winter Lecture Series 2016, by Curator William McNaught
Curator Bill McNaught gives a presentation on some of the Oysterponds Historical Society’s most fascinating objects, dating from the seventeenth century to the twentieth century.
https://youtu.be/jEQ253R7TP4?si=AVJYejC4CsXIt9Cv
Remarks by the Honorable Sonia Sotomayor and her reading of the Preamble of the Constitution, Heritage Day Celebration, July 3, 2016.
The Oysterponds Historical Society was honored to welcome the Honorable Sonia Sotomayor, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, in 2016 for our annual Heritage Day Celebration.
https://youtu.be/UBptlEJ70zg?si=QJoGp4RubTsV7BCb
https://youtu.be/Y3759MHoeL4?si=zRqfKA7IDP-zeQoY
Town of Southold’s History Department.
A non-profit dedicated to working with Long Islanders to protect, preserve and celebrate our cultural heritage through advocacy, education, and the stewardship of historic sites and collections.
Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute
A national center for specialized technical collection research and conservation for all Smithsonian museums and collections. SMCI also provides brochures, videos, and other publications that provide information on how to take care of family heirlooms and privately held art objects.
National Park Service National Register of Historic Places
Official list of the United States’ historic places worthy of preservation.
National Park Service Technical Preservation Services
Historic preservation standards and guidance on preserving and rehabilitating historic buildings.