History of Oyster Bay
The Founding - Oyster Bay was discovered by the Dutch explorer Adrian Block in 1615. It was the boundary between the Dutch New Amsterdam colony and the English New England Colonies. The English, under Peter Wright, first settled in the area in 1653. The boundary between the Dutch and English was somewhat fluid which led each group having their own main Street, leading to today's non-connecting East Main & West Main.
Notable Events - During the Revolutionary War, Raynham Hall was owned by the patriot Townsend family. It was here, the Major Andre was billeted and Bennedict Arnold's plot to turn over West Point to the British was uncovered.
In the 1880s, the LIRR extended rail service from LocustValley as a means to establish a connection to Boston. On June 21st, 1889, the first LIRR train arrived in Oyster Bay. In the following year, service commenced with the train coaches being loaded onto a ferry for a connection to the New Haven Rairoad at Norwalk CT. Service lasted less than a year.
The first amateur sailing regatta in the country was organized here in 1872.
The oysters that give the bay its name are now the only source of traditionally farmed oysters from Long Island, providing up to 90% of all the oysters harvested in New York State.
Notable Past Residents - Oyster Bay is known for the residence and summer White House of Theodore Roosevelt, Sagamore Hill.
Many well known entertainers spent their youth in this area; among its best known former residents are musician Billy Joel, tennis player John McEnroe, authors Thomas Pynchon and Tracy Kidder, and Sonic Youth guitarist Lee Ranaldo (Pynchon and Ranaldo both attended Oyster Bay High School). A famous current resident is composer John Barry.
Notable Events - During the Revolutionary War, Raynham Hall was owned by the patriot Townsend family. It was here, the Major Andre was billeted and Bennedict Arnold's plot to turn over West Point to the British was uncovered.
In the 1880s, the LIRR extended rail service from LocustValley as a means to establish a connection to Boston. On June 21st, 1889, the first LIRR train arrived in Oyster Bay. In the following year, service commenced with the train coaches being loaded onto a ferry for a connection to the New Haven Rairoad at Norwalk CT. Service lasted less than a year.
The first amateur sailing regatta in the country was organized here in 1872.
The oysters that give the bay its name are now the only source of traditionally farmed oysters from Long Island, providing up to 90% of all the oysters harvested in New York State.
Notable Past Residents - Oyster Bay is known for the residence and summer White House of Theodore Roosevelt, Sagamore Hill.
Many well known entertainers spent their youth in this area; among its best known former residents are musician Billy Joel, tennis player John McEnroe, authors Thomas Pynchon and Tracy Kidder, and Sonic Youth guitarist Lee Ranaldo (Pynchon and Ranaldo both attended Oyster Bay High School). A famous current resident is composer John Barry.
Sagamore Hill - Home of Theodore Roosevelt
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Sagamore Hill National Historic Site, a beautifully preserved museum of Teddy Roosevelt’s summer White House, is situated on 80 magnificent acres of pet-friendly trails that wind through pastures, woodlands and waterfront. From the trails and shore-front where Teddy Roosevelt walked with the family’s dogs to his final resting place in nearby Young’s Memorial Cemetery, the area is steeped in history. Sagamore Hill Theodore Roosevelt's Home 20 Sagamore Hill Road Oyster Bay, NY 11771 (516) 922-4788 Visit Sagamore Hill Website |
The Oyster Bay Railroad Museum
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The Oyster Bay Railroad Museum celebrates the history of rail travel in the U.S., the extension of the Long Island Rail Road to Oyster Bay in 1880, and the preservation of the historic red brick train station used by Teddy Roosevelt.
View the Museum's video to the left. The Oyster Bay Railroad Museum Lower Audrey Avenue Oyster Bay, NY 11771 (516) 558-7036 Visit Oyster Bay Railroad Museum Website |
Raynham Hall Museum
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Home of George Washington’s intelligence operative Robert Townsend, Raynham Hall is a time capsule of Long Island life in the 18th and 19th centuries. Purchased by Robert’s father Samuel around 1740 and expanded from a two-over-two farmhouse into a four-over-four town house whose land extended down to the bay and for acres all around, the Townsend family homestead was named Raynham Hall by Samuel’s grandson, Solomon, when he renovated it according to the Victorian taste of his own time, in the mid-19th century.
Having shed most of its surrounding property around the turn of the twentieth century, the house’s final transformation came in the 1940s with the removal of the Victorian elements from the front part of the house, which was then restored back to its original Colonial appearance, but retaining the Victorian rear addition. Raynham Hall Museum 20 West Main Street Oyster Bay, NY 11771 (516) 922-6808 Visit Raynham Hall Museum Website |
Earle Whitman House - Oyster Bay Historical Society
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The Oyster Bay Historical Society held its first meeting on March 17, 1960, in the Oyster Bay Public Library. Founding trustee Dr. Howard Imhof served as chair for the session, during which Mrs. Miner Carolyn Hill was elected president. Mrs. Hill, on her election, indicated that, “while there are other historical societies, notably Sagamore Hill and Raynham Hall already established in Oyster Bay, we believe that a society devoted to the collection and preservation of material and lore pertaining to Oyster Bay itself, will perform a greatly needed function.”
Earle Whitman House - Oyster Bay Historical Society 20 Summit Street Oyster Bay, NY 11771 (516) 922-5032 Visit Oyster Bay Historical Society |
Huntington - Oyster Bay Audubon Society
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Huntington-Oyster Bay Audubon works to protect wildlife and habitat through conservation action, advocacy, education and impactful partnerships. Serving Huntington and Northern Oyster Bay Townships.
Huntington - Oyster Bay Audubon Society PO Box 735 Huntington, NY 11743 Visit Huntington - Oyster Bay Audubon Society |
Theodore Roosevelt Audubon Sanctuary
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As a leading state program of the National Audubon Society, Audubon New York (Audubon NY) leads our network of 50,000 members, 27 local Audubon Chapters, seven sanctuaries and nature centers and our thousands of annual visitors, volunteers, and partners throughout the state. Audubon achieves its mission to protect birds and their habitats by connecting our vast and powerful network along the migratory flyways of the Americas through science, advocacy, education and on-the-ground conservation programs.
Theodore Roosevelt Audubon Sanctuary 134 Cove Road Oyster Bay, NY 11771 (516) 922-3200 Visit the Theodore Roosevelt Audubon Sanctuary Website |
Planting Fields Arboretum
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Planting Fields Foundation preserving and interpreting Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park as the premier public garden and Gold Coast estate for today and tomorrow by educating, enriching, and entertaining the visiting public.
Planting Fields Arboretum 1395 Planting Fields Road Oyster Bay, NY 11771 (516) 922-8600 Visit Planting Fields Arboretum Website www.plantingfields.org/index.php/homes |
20th Century Cycles
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20th Century Cycles is the culmination of Billy Joel's love of motorcycles and his passion for motorcycle design. Since, in his opinion, he believes that vintage motorcycles look better and, since he also is aware that modern motorcycles tend to work better, all of the bikes in the collection have been transformed in one way or another into ride-able, practical machines with a nod toward the past.
The shop, as it stands today, was born out of necessity: the need for space. As the collection grew it became apparent that in order to properly build, store and service the 75+ bikes in the collection a larger, more accommodating facility was needed. The perfect shop was found where we could do all of the things mentioned plus share the collection with the public. 20th Century Cycles does not sell or maintain bikes outside of the collection. Nor do we sell parts or accessories. We are here to simply maintain and augment the collection and share it with the motorcycling community. 20th Century Cycles 101 Audrey Avenue Oyster Bay, NY 11771 Visit 20th Century Cycles Website |
Collector Car Showcase
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New York’s Petroliana, Memorabilia, and Automotive Exhibition
Collector Car Showcase is located in the historic village of Oyster Bay, nestled in the heart of Long Island’s Gold Coast. Enter the doors of CCS and you will immediately be transported back in time. Even before you view one of our many collectable automobiles, the extraordinary display of vintage gas pumps, neon, tin, and porcelain signs will take your breath away. Our collection of rare and vintage advertising from soda companies to automobile manufacturers, on display, date back to the early 1900’s. Old brick, reclaimed 150-year-old wood, and authentic lighting fixtures from the 1940’s adorn the walls of CCS. Vintage guitars, hotel signs, and many other cultural artifacts are also on display. Our goal was to build an extraordinary venue that was as authentic as the times they represent. Although we do have our favorites, it is no secret that we are lovers of all vintage automobiles. American Muscle cars, Ferrari, Porsche, BMW, Packard, and more circulate through our display area throughout the year. Whether you are an American history buff, avid collector, enjoy casual antiquing, or just love unimaginable craftsmanship and beauty, you will adore visiting CCS. Collector Car Showcase 85 Pine Hollow Road Oyster Bay, NY 11771 (516) 802-5297 Visit Collector Car Showcase Website |