(Long Island, NY) The First Annual Port Jefferson Heritage Weekend will be held on Saturday, August 22nd and 23rd from 10am to 5pm at over 15 locations throughout the Village. Visitors will be invited to step back in time and discover the stories behind many of the historical venues in Port Jefferson and Belle Telle. The highlight of the weekend will feature the return of the 1910 historic Hill Climb at 11:00am, Sunday. The first Port Jefferson Hill Climb was held over 100 years ago will be re-enacted at Port Jefferson Village Center at 11am. Sixty vintage cars will climb the same hill as the early racing greats.
Each location will host presentations, historic photo displays and activities that celebrate the culture, traditions, history and achievements of Port Jefferson. Visitors can travel from site to site and discover the rich heritage of the coastal community.
“It is our objective to join forces with our fellow non-profits and organizations that have the common goal of enriching, educating and recognizing the history of our Village,” stated Mayor Margot Garant.
Historic organizations/venues include:
- ANTIQUE COSTUME & PROP RENTAL BY NAN
- BELLE TERRE
- BIDDLE FOUNTAIN
- BRIDGEPORT & PORT JEFFERSON STEAMBOAT COMPANY
- CEDAR HILL CEMETERY
- DROWNED MEADOW HOUSE
- GREATER PORT JEFFERSON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
- GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF THE ASSUMPTION
- INFANT JESUS CHURCH
- ISLAND CHRISTIAN CHURCH
- LONG ISLAND SEAPORT AND ECO CENTER
- MARITIME EXPLORIUM (Chandlery Building)
- PORT JEFFERSON FIRE DEPARTMENT MUSEUM
- PORT JEFFERSON HISTORICAL SOCIETY / MATHER MUSEUM COMPLEX
- PORT JEFFERSON MASONIC TEMPLE
- PORT JEFFERSON VILLAGE CENTER
- THE PORT JEFFERSON FREE LIBRARY
- THE PORT JEFFERSON HARBOR, ARTS, AND EDUCATION CONSERVANCY (Re-creation of the Hill Climb)
Take a tour and discover the founding families of Port Jefferson at the Cedar Hill Cemetery. Visitors are also encouraged to attend a presentation of the unique history of Belle Terre at the Belle Terre Community Center and tour the Port Jefferson Fire Department Museum. Interested guests can step inside the original library building, void of all modern technology and experience it as it was in 1908 and visit the Drowned Meadow House originally constructed circa 1755 where the Phillips Roe family was known to have lived. This historic structure is an excellent example of Revolutionary War era “post and beam” construction.
“Each of our organizations will benefit from the cross-promotion and celebration of our history. Together, we are powerful and united in our efforts to celebrate and promote this incredible Village in which we are so lucky to be a part of,” said Mayor Garant.
