JOIN US TONIGHT AT 5:30PM
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Happy National American Archives Month! "Ask an Archivist" Day is next week, and we invite you to join us for our first-ever meeting of the Citizen Historian Club on tonight. Learn about the archiving process from archival professionals, and help us preserve local Shelter Island history through cataloging, digitizing, hands-on research, and more! At the meeting, we'll tackle a small project and discuss everyone's areas of interest for future projects over snacks and refreshments. Hope to see you there! |
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OPEN LATE TONIGHT!
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It’s Wednesday night at the Museum! Today we will be open from 10am to 7:30pm.
Going forward, we will be open on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month, in addition to our usual hours, Tuesday to Friday, 10am to 2pm.
There's plenty to do while you're here:
- View our ongoing exhibits and interactive elements!
- Shop the Havens Store!
- Tour historic Havens House!
- Delve into SI history as an archive volunteer or make a research appointment.
For archive appointments or volunteering inquiries, contact [email protected].
For guided tours or activities for large groups, contact [email protected].
For general inquiries, call 631-749-0025 or email [email protected].
We can't wait to welcome you!
CELEBRATE AUTUMN OCTOBER 24 WITH HAVENS HARVEST!
To RSVP, scan the QR code above or click
https://shelterislandhistorical.networkforgood.com/events/105580-havens-harvest.
FROM THE ARCHIVES:
SHELTER ISLAND AND THE HURRICANE OF 1938
SHELTER ISLAND AND THE HURRICANE OF 1938
16 mm silent film footage of hurricane damage in Shelter Island.
Uprooted tree crashed into Havens House.
Damage at Wilcox Dock.
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Nobody expected the “Long Island Express.” What started as a small tropical depression off the coast of west Africa became one of the deadliest and most destructive storms to ever hit the northeast by the time it arrived as a Category 3 hurricane on September 21, 1938. And Shelter Island was right in the middle of its path.
It surprised everyone by its speed, traveling from North Carolina into Canada in a mere 12 hours, powered by winds of up to 120 mph. In that time, according to the History Channel, it “killed upwards of 700 people, left thousands homeless and ranked at the time as the costliest disaster in American history.” Also unexpected was the size and strength of the storm surge, with waves that topped 17 feet in some places. Tides were already high, thanks to a full moon and the autumn equinox, due two days later. The New England Historical Society said damages were estimated at $308 million. “A total of 4,500 homes were destroyed and 25,000 damaged. The storm destroyed about 26,000 automobiles,…blew over 20,000 electrical poles. And high winds knocked down an estimated 2 billion trees in New York and New England.” It took 15,000 WPA (Works Progress Administration) workers 2 years just to complete the tree cleanup. |
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SI luckily registered only one death (Captain Leroy Griffing went down with his boat) but contemporary local newspaper accounts describe the property damage as “extensive. Roofs, garages, chimneys, homes and boats were damaged by the gale….Many of Shelter Island’s most beautiful and valuable trees were destroyed.” A later account in the Shelter Island Reporter offered more details. “A northeast blow picked up a maple tree on Thomas Street that was three feet in diameter and dropped it clear across the road….An enormous wave rolled into Coecles Harbor taking the tide inland while pulling scored of boats from their moorings up to the shore….Artemas Ward’s yacht was driven full force up the beach into his boathouse.”
Islander Jean Dickerson, who was 4 years old at the time, remembered the she “had to huddle up with my mother while the roof of our garage flew by the living room window.” Other children were in the schoolhouse when the storm started and rode it out there. Emerging later that evening, they discovered roads blocked by huge trees, downed power and telephone lines. The lack of electricity wasn’t as devastating back then as it would be today, since, “people depended on coal to heat their houses and used ice boxes, not refrigerators,” according to the Reporter. Getting water was problematic, though. “Ned Payne was still operating a windmill…and people came by foot with pails to fill up….Those who had old three holers in the backyard were envied.” You can see a photo of one water pumping method in this scrapbook compiled by nurse Viola Farrow, who documented the storm’s aftermath. As we enjoy today’s sunny, pleasant start to autumn 2026, it’s hard to imagine what life was like on Shelter Island on this day 88 years ago. Farrow’s husband Fred, summed it up, noting that “we thought it was the end of everything. It was nothing we’d ever experienced before or have ever experienced since.” For more information on the hurricane of 1938 in our archives, contact [email protected] or call 631-749-0025 and make an appointment to visit our archives. |
Pages from Viola Farrow's hurricane scrapbook.
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EXHIBITS BY
OUR SI HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
OUR SI HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
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UNSUNG HEROES
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3D MODEL OF SHELTER ISLAND
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The "Unsung Heroes" exhibit, curated by SI High Schoolers, showcases the history of women's service organizations, highlighting their courage, sacrifice, and generous volunteerism. The students selected and researched various service uniforms that were owned and worn by local Shelter Island women. Please join us in congratulating this hardworking group of young women and be sure to come check out the exhibit for yourself!
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This 3D Model of Shelter Island during the Revolutionary era was created by SI High Schoolers with the help of their teachers. It was designed for families to interact with and enjoy the challenge of considering what our home looked like over 250 years ago. The model is open to the public. Thank you to the incredible team who made this happen: Jayden Frias, Lucas Reiter, Emily Shepherd, Jimbo Theinert, and Chris Conrardy.
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A FEW SELECTIONS
FROM OUR CURRENT EXHIBIT, "HAVENS HOUSE: WITNESS THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION" |
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. FALL HOURS:
Open Tuesday - Friday, 10am to 2pm 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month 10am to 7:30pm To schedule an appointment, please call 631-749-0025. |
A big THANK YOU to the the New York State Council on the Arts for awarding us one of their 2025 Professional Development Grants for Museums!
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THANK YOU to the North Forker readers for voting us the Best History Center!
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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
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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.