Long Island Historic Sites, Including East End Museums, Win Awards for Excellence

Four Long Island historic sites received Awards for Excellence from the Greater Hudson Heritage Network (GHHN) for their innovative work engaging and educating visitors through the use of modern technology as well as by turning back the clock to the mid-1960s.

The East Hampton Historical Society, the Oysterponds Historical Society in Orient, and the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum jointly accepted an award for their work on a series of free history-based augmented reality apps known as Digital Tapestry. The Montauk Historical Society won an award for its “Leisurama” exhibit recreating the interior of an iconic mid-century home, made possible by an exhibition grant from the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation.

The four historic sites received the awards at the GHHN “Embracing Innovation” conference on October 15 at Manhattanville University in Purchase, New York. GHHN’s Awards for Excellence program recognizes outstanding projects that contribute to the preservation and interpretation of the historic scene, culture and diversity of the region.

As part of the Digital Tapestry program, the winning sites developed and launched free mobile apps called 1776AR, focused on the American Revolution, and TRAR, highlighting the life of President Theodore Roosevelt. Each app uses augmented reality technology to superimpose 3D animated versions of historical figures or local history experts over a user’s mobile device. At Mulford Farm in East Hampton, the 1776AR app asks visitors to consider the meaning of revolution while they learn about Colonel David Mulford, who led the cause for freedom while simultaneously being the largest slaveholder in East Hampton. Visitors to Oysterponds Historical Society can use the 1776AR app to see and hear key Revolutionary War-era community figures share stories of how they struggled to live their daily lives in the unwelcome presence of British soldiers. At the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum, the TRAR app lets visitors watch Theodore Roosevelt share personal reminiscences and cherished family moments, as well as stories of his presidential days, his Nobel Prize-winning contributions to international peace, and his efforts in embracing new technology.

The 1776AR and TRAR apps make the historic subject matter more stimulating and enjoyable for visitors of all ages while expanding and complementing the museums’ offerings. Both free apps are available in the App Store for Apple devices and the Google Play store for Android devices.

Montauk Historical Society’s Leisurama exhibit took visitors back to the mid-1960s in an immersive, interactive exhibition to celebrate the iconic Leisurama development in Culloden Shores, Montauk. The Historical Society was gifted all the original furniture from a Leisurama home that had been in one family since the house was built in 1965.

The award-winning Digital Tapestry program and Leisurama exhibition were made possible by a grant to each winning site by the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation.

“It is incredibly gratifying to see our grantees excel in their innovative educational offerings to the public,” said Kathryn M. Curran, the David Lion Gardiner Foundation’s executive director. “All these projects bring history alive to a new audience.”

The David Lion Gardiner Foundation is to educate, cultivate and encourage the study and understanding of Long Island and New York’s historic role in the American experience. The foundation also supports scholarships and historic preservation, including study, stewardship and promotion of Long Island’s historic educational aspects. The foundation was established by Robert David Lion Gardiner in 1987. Robert David Lion Gardiner was, until his death in August 2004, the 16th Lord of the Manor of Gardiner’s Island. The Island was obtained as part of a royal grant from King Charles I of England in 1639. The Gardiner family and its descendants have owned Gardiner’s Island for 385 years. The Island remains private and is owned and maintained by direct Gardiner descendants to this day. The Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation remains inspired by Robert David Lion Gardiner’s personal passion for Long Island and New York history. Since 2015, the foundation has awarded over $45 million to support historical societies, museums, archives, research, scholarships and renovation, restoration and adaptive reuse of historic sites.