LONG ISLAND HISTORY

Living in a City Steeped in History

When you live in Long Island you may forget about, or may not even know about, some of the historic sites you can visit. It’s easy to take for granted that which is right in front of you, but here in Long Island we have some awesome sites to see, even if you have lived in the area your whole life. With a history as rich as ours, these things can be seen again and again without growing tired of them. So, get out there and learn the history of Long Island if you don’t know it, and if you are familiar with these historic sites then embrace them for some quality entertainment.

If you or your family is interested in Long Island’s seafaring past it might be a good idea to go to a handful of whaling museums. These museums can be a great educational resource for anyone who wants to learn the history of the area, and see real whale artifacts, and even learn what captains of boats were seeing, catching, and describing when they were at sea in and around Long Island. The whaling history is very interesting and some of the things that have been recorded are awesome, and can inspire a real love for the sea. Perhaps a visit to Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum will be a great place for the whole family to learn a little more about whaling and the huge influence it had on Long Island. If your family enjoys this museum a drive to the Sag Harbor and Whaling Museum will prove exciting, also. There is so much to learn about Long Island, and whaling is just one piece of the puzzle.

If you’d like to learn about the history of Long Island on land perhaps you’d like to learn a little about the railroad. The railroad was also a fundamental part of Long Island history and can prove interesting to people of all ages. The Railroad Museum of Long Island at Greenpoint is one great place where you can go and learn all about the history of the railroad in our beloved Long Island. The Railroad Museum of Long Island at Riverpoint is also a great railroad museum, featuring real engines from the time that you can see, and even touch! Very educational and fun, too! Be warned, railroad history, as interesting as it is, isn’t always for young children unless they have a fascination with trains!

Living in a place so steeped in history can be fun and exciting, but many of us forget how much there really is to learn and do here. When you live on Long Island there really never is a shortage of things you can do that are relatively cheap and worth your time. So, get out there and learn about our awesome history full of railways, whaling, and even lighthouses!

September 10, 2005 2:20 PM Eastern

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