Historical Society of Greater Port Jefferson

Historical Society of Greater Port Jefferson The Historical Society of Greater Port Jefferson was founded in 1967.

Its purpose is to discover, preserve and disseminate knowledge about the history of the Greater Port Jefferson area. The Historical Society of Greater Port Jefferson maintains the Mather Museum Complex which consists of the Mather House, the Dr. R. Sherman Mills Country Shops, the Marine Barn and Sail Loft, Craft House and Museum Shop, the Tool Shed, Frank Child Chair Repair Shop and the Spinney Clock Museum.

06/17/2026

🧐 WHATZIT WEDNESDAY! 🧐

Think you know what this strange-looking gadget is? 🤔

Take your best guess in the comments! (And remember…the wrong answers are usually the funniest! 😂) But first…last week’s answer!

😳 That bizarre-looking contraption was an antique hairdressing hood, used to dry and set hairstyles in beauty salons decades ago.

💇‍♀️ Ladies…we complain about today’s hair dryers, but can you imagine sitting under THAT thing?
Anything for fabulous hair! 😂

Now it’s your turn again…

What is THIS week’s mystery item? 🕵️‍♀️

We’ll reveal the answer next Wednesday!

❤️ Give us a like and follow so you never miss a Whatzit Wednesday—or a fascinating piece of history from the Historical Society of Greater Port Jefferson!

06/16/2026

🎓✨ WERE YOU THERE? ✨🎓

💜 “Une Nuit à Paris” – The 1958 Port Jefferson High School Prom 💜

For one magical evening, the PJHS gymnasium was transformed into Paris, creating memories that have lasted a lifetime.

Now, you can step back in time at the School Daze exhibit at the Mather House Museum, where you’ll see an original 1958 prom ticket and photographs from the early Senior Balls that capture the excitement, elegance, and traditions of Port Jefferson’s past.

💃 Did you attend?
🕺 Do you recognize anyone in these photos?
❤️ Were your parents or grandparents there?

Tell us your memories in the comments—we’d love to hear them!

📍 The Mather House Museum
Open Wednesday–Sunday • 12:00–4:00 PM

Come relive the dances, friendships, and traditions that shaped generations of Port Jefferson students.

💙 Follow us for more local history and plan your visit to experience the School Daze exhibit for yourself!

06/15/2026

🎭 Did You Know?

These wooden theater seats may have once welcomed audiences to Port Jefferson’s Athena Hall, the village’s premier entertainment venue built in 1888.

Gifted to the Historical Society years ago by Theatre Three, they are believed to have come from Athena Hall itself, where generations gathered for plays, concerts, graduations, dances, lectures, and even early motion pictures.

Now beautifully restored by Head Docent Richard Melidonian, these remarkable seats can be seen at the Mather House Museum, preserving a possible piece of Port Jefferson history for future generations.

✨ Just imagine the stories they’ve witnessed. ❤️ Love Port Jefferson history? Come visit the Mather House Museum and see these remarkable seats for yourself. Then like and follow our page so you never miss another Did You Know? and other stories from our village’s past!

📸 Athena Hall photograph by Waters and the 1897 H.M.S. Pinafore cast photograph by Arthur S. Greene, from the Kenneth C. Brady Digital Archive. Historical information adapted from Kenneth Brady’s Hometown History: Port Jefferson’s Athena Hall.

06/14/2026

A quick overview of the road our home is on: Prospect Street. 🏘️

This video, somehow, did not even touch on the Tookers or Darlings or other pillars of historic Port Jeff. If you want to know more, consider a walking tour (maps available at our museum!) or comment below.

Come visit The Mather House!
📍115 Prospect Street, Port Jefferson, NY
🕐 Noon - 4 | Weds - Sun

For this week’s we’re sitting outside the Mather House. These photos are from one of the Port Jeff Historical Society’...
06/11/2026

For this week’s we’re sitting outside the Mather House.

These photos are from one of the Port Jeff Historical Society’s “Sundays on the Porch” events. On late-summer Sundays, members would teach or learn a craft while socializing and soaking in the sun.

In the top photo is Joe, no last name provided, and Fran Child. The bottom photo is of Sandra Swenk (Mayor of Port Jefferson 1971 - 1977) and Bob Arnold.

What do you think: should we bring this event back?

06/10/2026

🤔 WHATZIT WEDNESDAY!

Welcome to our newest weekly challenge!

Can you identify this curious object from the past?

🔍 Hint #1: Despite appearances, it was not a torture device! 😆

🔍 Hint #2: It was commonly found in businesses rather than homes.

🔍 Hint #3: If you saw one in action today, you might think it belonged in a science fiction movie.

What do you think it is? Share your guess in the comments! 👇

🕰️ The answer will be revealed next Wednesday.

And remember… wrong answers are highly encouraged—they’re usually the funniest! 😂

06/09/2026

🎒 School Daze: More Than Just a Classroom

Long before many surrounding communities had their own high schools, Port Jefferson Schools served students from 18 different towns, including Shoreham, Ridge, Coram, Selden, West Yaphank, and West Middle Island. As enrollment grew, the former Plant Hotel, once a World War I veterans’ instructional camp, was purchased and demolished to make way for a new school. The cornerstone was laid in 1935, and students moved into the new building in 1937, with additions following in 1951 and 1957.

As neighboring districts established their own schools, that unique chapter in Port Jefferson’s educational history came to a close. The last graduating class of students from outside the Port Jefferson district—those from Mount Sinai—graduated in 1992.

Our School Daze exhibit at the Mather House Museum explores this fascinating history through photographs, artifacts, and memories that span generations. The exhibit also reflects the dedication of the late local historian Ken Brady, whose research and passion for preserving Port Jefferson’s past continue to educate and inspire visitors today. Did you—or perhaps your parents or grandparents—attend Port Jefferson Schools during those years? We’d love to hear your stories! Share your graduation year, favorite teacher, or a special memory in the comments and help us preserve the history of our community. 📚❤️

06/08/2026

💎❄️ Did You Know? Port Jefferson once had its own Crystal Lake!

Known as Parker’s Pond, this man-made lake was created in 1869 by local stonecutter Andrew J. Parker, who dammed a stream at the foot of Spring Street and founded the Parker’s Crystal Lake Ice Company.

By 1873, ice harvested from the pond helped preserve food, cool drinks, and even make ice cream throughout the village. After ice harvesting ended around 1901, the pond became a popular winter gathering place where more than 100 villagers could often be found skating on its crystal-clear frozen surface.

Though Crystal Lake no longer exists, its story remains a fascinating piece of Port Jefferson history.

📸 Photo from the Greene–Arthur S. Brady–Kenneth C. Brady Collection.

We are fortunate that the late Kenneth C. Brady dedicated so much of his life to preserving Port Jefferson’s history. Thanks to his research and storytelling, these remarkable pieces of our village’s past continue to educate and inspire future generations.

💙 Had you ever heard of Crystal Lake?

This we’re taking a look at the steamship Nonowantuc.The Nonowantuc was the first ferry operated by the Bridgeport & P...
06/05/2026

This we’re taking a look at the steamship Nonowantuc.

The Nonowantuc was the first ferry operated by the Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Steamboat Company. The company was founded by local Captain Charles E Tooker and PT Barnum in 1883, and continues to provide ferry service today.

The wooden Nonowantuc started sailing in 1884. At 120 feet long, Nonowantuc could carry up to 350 passengers across the Long Island Sound.

Nonowantuc reliably sailed the Sound from 1884 until 1902.

Share your favorite Ferry stories in the comments!

06/04/2026

Thank you so much for the support!

Address

115 Prospect Street
Port Jefferson, NY
11777

Opening Hours

Wednesday 12pm - 4pm
Thursday 12pm - 4pm
Friday 12pm - 4pm
Saturday 12pm - 4pm
Sunday 12pm - 4pm

Telephone

(631) 473-2665

Website

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