Listeners got a better understanding of the focus of the Oyster Bay Historical Society (OBHS) at their 48th annual meeting on June 20 at the Matinecock Masonic Lodge. Great things are under way at the tidy museum and that includes greater Internet access to their collections. With their feet firmly planted in the past, they are hooking themselves up brightly with the latest technology.

Most importantly, they are getting closer to their goal of building the Angela P. Koenig Research Center. Tom Kuehhas, OBHS director said the proposed Angela P. Koenig Research Center has several functions. "It will be a library and research center, and have space for collections storage and for offices. It will allow us to greatly expand the exhibition space at the Earle Wightman House and to allow much more in the way of exhibits on Oyster Bay history. Currently we have two-period room settings and very little other space. And now that we are listed on the NYS Heritage Trail we have to beef up our interpretation of the Revolutionary War. Added to that, we are the historical society for the Town of Oyster Bay and we need room to do exhibits on the town's history. Having the Koenig Research Center in place, will free up much more space for changing exhibits at the Earle Wightman House. We are going to do more in the way of changing exhibits."

A new exhibit is called "The Roosevelts... It Wasn't All Politics." It is planned for October featuring the Roosevelt family members, and more exhibits are in the works for 2009.

At the annual meeting, OBHS President Maureen Monck, Ph.D., thanked the executive committee members: Brad Warner and Barry Curtis Spies; Linda Morgan, treasurer; Liz Roosevelt and Marie Claire Pittis, "For their encouragement and participation."

She added, "A special thanks to Yvonne Cifarelli and Phil Blocklyn who were board members and now joined us in a professional capacity, Yvonne as curator and Phil as librarian."

Ms. Monck asked, "Did you know we have a tremendous collection of books about Theodore Roosevelt, maybe one of the largest collections in the area? We also have a vast library of genealogical information and we get hits from all over the world on our Internet site.

"We also have interns from various universities, that come on a semester by semester basis. And, one of the main characteristics is that we are a prime source of information on the history of Oyster Bay, both in terms of our collection, the artifacts, books and documents and they cover all of the centuries of the history of Oyster Bay [and the Town of Oyster Bay]."

She said that is really important to know, "In that it certainly separates our collections from others in the area."

Ms. Monck said, "The reason for telling you about all of this is that with the interns, visitors and scholars coming to the Earle Wightman House, we are running out of space. And much of our collection has to be housed in an 18th-century building - and just think of what happened here [in Oyster Bay several years ago when there was a fire at Raynham Hall Museum] and ours is even more combustible. So that the consuming project we are working on is our new building, the Angela Koenig Research facility which will be a state-of-the-art building that will meet all our needs."

She added, "The members of our board recognize that people join the OBHS because of their enduring interest in history, not because they want to socialize and to mingle. They come because of the events, exhibits and many are familiar with our quarterly publication The Freeholder. Many people have told me many times, 'I can't wait to get it,' as they follow up a particular story.

"So what discriminates us [from other groups] is the academic sophistication that we have; and the fact that it satisfies people's intellectual curiosity about the history of the local area. Also, because of our very strong commitment to preservation in the area which is emerging more clearly each week. We have a commitment to architectural preservation in the area to ensure that generations to come will have knowledge of what happened in the area. We are sure you, too, share those aspirations."

She added, "Please come in and tell us of any grants and people we can speak to in regards to our fundraising."

Brad Warner, first vice president, said that $1.35 million to $1.4 million needs to be raised for the new archival building.

They have been raising money from membership grants and matching grants; from Nassau County and New York State grants. He said, "We have identified sources for about $964,000 or 71 percent of the cost - which sounds great but we have $385,000 to raise, and $300,000 of that will make the Dolan challenge grant kick in."

Director Kuehhas said, "Because we had already raised a considerable amount through our own fundraising efforts, that convinced the Dolans that the project was viable. They knew our needs and decided to fund it."

Mr. Warner added, "It is very attractive for donors to have their donations matched dollar for dollar. That should give an incentive to find matching funds: But we have to go out and do it and right away!"

Linda Morgan gave the treasurer's report after which she announced that she is retiring to the board and her husband, Matt Morgan will be taking over her job. "I'm stepping down as treasurer, and Matt Morgan, fully retired, will take over. I am moving the books from my side of the table to his side of the table so I can help him," she added. She read off the formal nominations for office for 2008-2009. Accepted were Dr. Maureen Monck, president; Brad Warner, first vice president; Barry Curtis Spies, second vice president; Liz Roosevelt, secretary, Mrs. Robert Pittas, membership secretary. The Class of 2001 board of trustees are: Frances Leone, Dr. Susan Peterson-Neuhaus, Linda Morgan and Rick Robinson.

Director Tom Kuehhas said last year was a whirlwind of activity. "There were over 850 kindergarteners to college students who visited here for our hands-on programs. I gave members a taste of program at our March meeting.

"Hundreds of researchers used the library, through personal visitation or by email. Important donations of books, documents, artifacts and photographs continue to stream in.

"Our Librarian Phil Blocklyn has directed graduate student volunteers and interns from the Palmer School of Library Science at C.W. Post, LIU. They have been conducting an inventory of the society's archival library holdings; processing new collections for access by researchers; preserving fragile materials identified during the inventory; and digitizing our photography and postcard collections."

Mr. Kuehhas said he has been working in conjunction with Phil Blocklyn and Yvonne Cifarelli on the collection. He said, "I have been determing space allocations, collection development and disaster planning for both the Koenig Center and the Earle Wightman House, as well as planning future exhibits."

Mr. Kuehhas said they are planning their future exhibits which include: "Love Letters, Keepsakes, Scrapbooks: Preserving Oyster Bay Memories," that is scheduled for February 2009. "Oyster Bay During World War II" will be on exhibit in June of 2009, and "Greetings from Oyster Bay", our postcard collection is scheduled to be online in 2009."

Phil Blocklyn is spearheading the effort to make the postcard photographs accessible to the public, using the donated postcard collections of Ken Summers and Howard Kraft. Mr. Kuehhas added another focus of the society, "In a effort to promote historic preservation and to recognize the efforts of local residents who restored historic buildings, such as the Old Brookville Police Booth, a lighthouse on Centre Island, an estate in Muttontown, and several houses in the Florence Park section of the hamlet of Oyster Bay we have been giving out preservation awards."

In celebration of the Earle Wightman House being on the NYS Heritage Trail, in 2008 they presented an exhibit, that tells the story of the Town of Oyster Bay's involvement in the American Revolution, told through period artifacts and reproductions, and with new signage.

Mr. Kuehhas said, "Be sure to read about all of our upcoming events in the Freeholder, our quarterly magazine published the past 12 years through the generosity of Harry Dickran and their professional staff at Levon Graphic."

He emphasized the need for funding as being of paramount importance saying, that with one-third of the money coming from the Dolan Challenge Grant - which has brought in other donations; and that they are moving the building process along, talking with the town building department and finalizing the plans with local architect Louis Baldino.

Mr. Kuehhas said he and President Maureen Monck visited the Mid-Atlantic Conference of Museums in Washington, D.C. where they listened to the latest information in the museum world, including hearing other museums talking about their expansion plans. He said after hearing that other museums are struggling to get needed funds for expansion, he is not as daunted by the sum they are seeking. He then thanked NYS Senator Carl Marcellino and the Town of Oyster Bay for the help they have given.

Mr. Kuehhas also thanked the North Country Garden Club for its hard work in maintaining the appearance of the houses' 18th-century garden.

He thanked members for attending and called them "Ambasadors for the Oyster Bay Historical Society saying, "Please spread the word and ask friends to join in preserving the history of Oyster Bay."

Ms. Monck closed the annual meeting as Mr. Kuehhas introduced the speaker, John Taylor. He said 10 years ago he met Mr. Taylor as they spoke about the history of his family's farm, encouraging him to speak to the members about it.

Mr. Taylor's talk was on "Homestead Farm: Then and Now". The farm, which was on Cold Spring Road, was bought by his grandfather a hundred years ago. Mr. Taylor covered the history of the farmhouse which is believed to date from the 18th century. He talked about the flora and fauna that reside there and showed slides of the farm, house and barn and the change in the tools they used over the years. He spoke about his family's history and the farm, and the local people with whom they interacted, including the Jones family which also had a large estate in the area.