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Bellport-Brookhaven Historical Society
P.O. Box 47, Bellport, New York 11713
www.bbhsmusem.org
November
26, 2007
Dear Fellow
Society Members and Friends
As I write this letter to you I shall be completing my second
term as President of the Bellport-Brookhaven Historical Society. It
has been a most interesting year in several ways which I shall
elaborate on as I move through these several paragraphs.
Of course first and foremost I want to thank the many volunteers
and members of the Society who generously and graciously gave of
their time and effort to staff the many programs and functions which
are carried out here in the Exchange Shop, the Barn Museum, the
Post-Crowell House, at the annual Gala and many other social
activities of the Society. Your active membership and financial
support are what enables us to accomplish all that we do.
We have been very fortunate this year to have been the recipient
of a very generous bequest, $50,000 from William Foote's estate. In
addition we shall receive $100,000 over a four year period from a
very generous benefactor and supporter. There have been other
smaller contributions as well. I mention these to emphasize that
giving is one of the greatest feelings of satisfaction in knowing
that you have supported a worthy community cause in its mission and
goals.
You are I'm sure aware of the newest addition to our facilities
namely 12 Bell Street. It has now been almost completely renovated
through the financial support afforded the Society by agencies of
the State of New York with the assistance of State Senator Caeser
Trunzo and State Assemblywoman Patricia Eddington. The West wing of
12 Bell Street will be utilized in multiple ways, one of which will
be exhibitions of art and photography. The East wing is now the new
Exchange Shop (which many of you helped move into).
This years Gala, "Then and Now" held at 12 Bell Street, a
different expression of our mission and purpose, was a great exhibit
of art and photography, an exhibit which was excellently
choreographed by Robin Starbuck, our special Curator, and her staff.
The setting was magnificently enjoyed by everyone.
We were very fortunate to have been offered the opportunity to
hold a house tour of the "Pelletreau House" through the generosity
of Jane Platt and Radey Johnson. The tour raised $8000 for the
Society.
Currently Malcolm Morley, a nationally known artist is conducting
art classes for high school students in the 12 Bell Street West
wing. This effort is in keeping with our educational mission.
A very exciting summer exhibition was held in the Barn Museum
through the generosity of Ron Bush -"The Beth Levine Shoe Display".
Visitors from all over the Island came to view this fine exhibit.
We were sorry to lose our very excellent and capable Curator,
Dolores O'Connor, this past year, and therefore we have begun the
search for a director/curator to take over the responsibilities of
curator and the supervision of volunteers.
Continuing to expand our management of the fiscal matters of the
Society we have contracted with a Certified Public Accountant to
assist and consult with us as our budgetary needs continue to expand
and our endowment investments grow.
Have you read our Barn Museum Newsletter? It has become one of
the best published newsletters from any society because of its
historical and factual highlights and the reporting of current
activities of our Society. There is also our web site, "www.bbhsmuseum.org",
which carries all the latest activities and programs of the Society.
We also have a new updated brochure, "Welcome to the Museum Complex"
for distribution to our members, the surrounding communities, and
visitors to our complex of facilities.
As I mentioned at the beginning of this letter this has been a
very active year in many ways. I hope that in highlighting some of
the accomplishments, programs, and activities of the Society you
will be anxious to renew your membership and ask a friend or
relative to join also. By joining, you help support our outreach
efforts, the restoration and preservation of our facilities and
artifacts, and our financial operating expenses. For your
convenience enclosed please find a membership envelope.
Finally, we wish everyone a very happy and prosperous New Year.
Sincerely,
Francis G. Fosmire
President
P.S. Remember that a contribution to the
Society before the end of 2007 is a 100% tax deduction for you.
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