Senator Flanagan Helps Long Island Museum Preserve Local History

Senator John J. Flanagan (2nd Senate District) recently announced that he has secured $200,000 in state funding for the Long Island Museum. The funding will offset the cost of improvements and new exhibitions in the Carriage Museum.

"I am always impressed with the work of the staff and administration of the Long Island Museum and I am proud to work closely with them to deliver the history of Long Island to our community," stated Senator Flanagan. "This project will deliver a realistic view of life on Long Island at the beginning of last century and provide the students of today with a great learning tool. The history of our community is something we should all be proud of and I am glad that it is being so carefully preserved through the efforts of this museum."

The museum is in the process of creating new, state-of-the-art exhibitions for the finest collection of horse-drawn vehicles in the United States. The Carriage Museum is being transformed into an engaging, family-friendly destination. The first new gallery, "Going Places: How Horse-Drawn Vehicles Changed America," opened in May, 2005. The second phase of new galleries will open in December.
Museum President Jackie Day noted that "this vital support will make it possible for us to continue the momentum of updating our exhibitions and creating the kind of lively learning experience that museum goers today expect."

The support provided by Senator Flanagan will go toward the refurbishment of the Carriage Museum atrium, an impressive, multi-story space where the museum’s largest and most elaborately decorated vehicle is displayed – the Grace Darling omnibus, one of the nation’s finest examples of the carriage painter’s art. The funds will also be used to begin work on a gallery that tells the story of horse-drawn vehicles in the city. Historic settings will transport visitors to the excitement of New York City streets in 1900.

The Long Island Museum is located at 1200 Route 25A in Stony Brook. Museum hours are Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. For more information about upcoming exhibitions and events, call the museum at 631-751-0066 or visit the museum web site at www.longislandmuseum.org.