SUMMER CHILDREN’S THEATER PROGRAM
The Shelter Island History Museum’s Summer Children’s Theater Program, directed and facilitated by the Brooklyn Acting Lab and made possible by the Elizabeth Pedersen Fund, is back! This year, the program has expanded from two to three weeks, and will take place July 28 to August 15 from 9am to Noon.
Children ages 6 to 12 are invited to explore the rich and vibrant history of Shelter Island through a playful and immersive theater workshop. Guided by the Brooklyn Acting Lab's professional theater artists, participants will bring stories to life using text, music, dance, and visual art. The program culminates in a celebratory performance on August 15 at 2pm for family, friends, and the community to celebrate and share what the children have created. This marks the fourth year for the workshop. Past themes for the shows have been: 2022: The Water Protectors 2023: Children's Stories of Shelter Island 2024: The Magic of Neverland on Shelter Island The 2025 theme is a Land of Oz-inspired tale. Beginning with the massive hurricane of 1938 that battered Shelter Island, children will journey to a magical world where they meet zany and fantastical characters linked to the stories of our beloved “rock”. The program is limited to 25 participants only. The cost is $1300 per child. A 10 percent discount is available for a second child in the same household. Please contact SIHM directly about information on discounts for additional children in the same household. HERE'S THE LINK TO REGISTER:
https://shelterislandhistorical.networkforgood.com/events/81763-2025-summer-children-s-theater-program |
Tickets are now on sale for the 2025 Shelter Island House Tour!
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Your History, Your Museum – Your Help!
On Tuesday, May 20, Shelter Islanders will get the chance to vote on four propositions on the school ballot. Proposition 4 asks: “Shall the Board of Education of the Shelter Island Union Free School District, Suffolk County, New York, authorize an annual appropriation of $275,000 for operational and maintenance expenses of the Shelter Island History Museum for the fiscal year 2025-2026 and to levy the necessary tax, therefore?” We are asking you to vote YES on the proposition.
There are many reasons why the SIHM is seeking taxpayer support. First, we cannot fulfill our mission – to “welcome and connect our community by exploring our shared history through exhibits, research, educational programs and performances” – without sustainable, reliable funding. Second, we are so grateful for the generosity of our friends and patrons, however the amounts raised through donations are unpredictable and often not enough to cover basic expenses for heat, electricity, insurance, staff, security and the like, which cost more than $36,000 a month. Third, we also receive grants, however, they are time-sensitive, never a guarantee and are targeted for specific donor-designated projects. Finally, without public funding, the Museum cannot enhance its community services by expanding free programs and exhibits year-round. The $275,000 requested is 63% of our annual operating budget of $434,000. The Museum tax rate would be $0.0433 per thousand dollars of assessed valuation. If your property is assessed at $1,000,000, for example, the total increase on your 2025-26 tax bill would be $43.30. That’s $3.60 a month — about the price of a cup of coffee. Property assessed at $2,000,000 would see an increase of $86.60. Our proposition – Proposition 4 – affects only Museum funding and has no impact on the school budget. Voting takes place May 20, from noon to 9 p.m. at the Shelter Island School Gymnasium. All registered voters who reside in the Shelter Island School District are eligible to cast their ballots. Anyone wishing to register can do so from 2 to 6 p.m. on May 8 in the school lobby. Absentee ballots can be requested from the school district beginning April 20; they must be received by the School District Clerk no later than 5 p.m. on May 20 for your vote to count. For further information, please see our Frequently Asked Questions, 2024 Profit and Loss statement and 2025 Operating Budget. Your Museum thanks you in advance for your support! Help us make history! |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why is the Shelter Island History Museum seeking taxpayer support?
How much money is the History Museum requesting?
How would it affect my taxes?
How would the History Museum use the money?
Doesn’t the History Museum already have a lot of money? It built that new wing after all.
Why isn’t fundraising enough?
Don’t you receive grant money?
How can the History Museum ask for taxpayer funding anyway?
Why should I support the Museum’s funding proposition?
How does the Museum support the Island’s economy?
The Museum’s 2025 budget allocates $260,975 for salaries. Why is that so high?
Will the Museum still fundraise if the proposition is approved?
What happens if the proposition doesn’t pass?
When does voting on Proposition 4 take place?
Who can vote?
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NEW EXHIBITS COMING
SOON! BEHIND THE SCENES of Moving Day! Volunteers came together to help us continue making progress in preparing the Museum for the Spring and Summer season. We could not be happier with the new shelving for our art collection! Thank you to our volunteers and staff for their continued hard work.
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ANNUAL REPORT
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To read the Shelter Island History Museum Annual Report in full, scroll up and down the document. To view it on a mobile device, click the link "here" where it says "click here to download." |
OUR MISSION:
The Shelter Island History Museum collects and preserves the artifacts, records and stories that define the island's unique history. We welcome and connect our community by exploring our shared history through exhibits, research, educational programs and performances. |
Hours of Operation
The Shelter Island History Museum: Closed until Spring The Havens Store: Closed until Spring |
Physical Address: 16 South Ferry Road, Shelter Island, NY 11964
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 847, Shelter Island, NY 11964
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 631-749-0025
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The Shelter Island History Museum's main floor and lower level are ADA accessible.
Service Animals are welcome .
Personal photography, without flash, is allowed in the galleries. No photographic equipment (tripods, selfie sticks) is permitted.
When sharing your photos on social media, please tag the Museum! #shelterislandhistorymuseum
Outside food and drink are not permitted inside.
This is a completely smoke-free location. Smoking and Vaping are not permitted anywhere on the grounds.
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 847, Shelter Island, NY 11964
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 631-749-0025
--------
The Shelter Island History Museum's main floor and lower level are ADA accessible.
Service Animals are welcome .
Personal photography, without flash, is allowed in the galleries. No photographic equipment (tripods, selfie sticks) is permitted.
When sharing your photos on social media, please tag the Museum! #shelterislandhistorymuseum
Outside food and drink are not permitted inside.
This is a completely smoke-free location. Smoking and Vaping are not permitted anywhere on the grounds.