About The Society

Welcome to the Historical Society of Islip Hamlet.  The Society was formed in 1992 with the mission to collect, catalogue, preserve and display the rich and diverse history of this unique south shore community.

In 1993, the Society was granted a provisional charter by the New York State Board of Regents.   This charter was renewed in 2008 for another five years, subject to extension in 2013.

The Board of Regents also recognized the Society’s Collection Management Policy. This policy allows the Society to offer tax deductions to individuals donating items to it, although the Society nor its officers are appraisers. This policy established the ethical and fiduciary obligations of the Society’s officers to ensure that the collection will be maintained in accordance with the interest of the public trust.

It should be noted that the Society has deferred any serious collection of artifacts due to the problem of proper storage. In the interim, the Society’s Board is actively attempting to secure a building to house the Society for the purposes of a museum and a permanent charter, as well as a safe and secure place to collect, catalogue, document, display and preserve artifacts.

Here are just some of our accomplishments...

Annual participation in the Memorial Day Parade and the Islip Chamber of Commerce Holiday Parade. Distribution to members and the community of a professional and informative newsletter, as well as hosting four membership lectures annually. Research, designation, purchase and installation of 23 historic markers throughout the hamlet Purchase, designation and installation of 6 historic street markers on South Bay Avenue, Union Avenue and Willow Avenue at a total cost of approximately $1,000. Establishment and funding of the Historical Society of Islip Hamlet Scholarship Fund of $10,000. This scholarship has awarded $6,350 to Islip High School students through the year 2008. Sponsorship of the annual Holiday House Tour. Revenues from the Tour fund the Historical Society of Islip Hamlet Scholarship fund, contributions to various community groups - ICC's Holiday Main Street Lighting, Welcome to Islip Hamlet signs, Islip Main Street Restoration and other activities. Active support of Islip Public School activities: Post-Prom, Great Buccaneer 5k Run, historical programs on the American Revolution and the Civil War, annual grants to offset transportation to various historic sites, as well as the contribution of maps, historical booklets and pictures to both the Islip Public School System, Islip Public Library and Suffolk County Historical Society. The collection, recording and preservation of the rich tradition and diverse history of this unique south shore community.