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KINGS PARK HERITAGE MUSEUM
RJO Building
101 Church Street
Kings Park, NY 11754
631.269.3205 ~ 631.269.3228
Guided Tour Hours:
Monday thru Friday 8:30AM - 4:30PM
Monday & Friday Night 7:00PM - 9:00PM
The
mission of the Kings Park Heritage Museum is to
accumulate and display the Kings Park Town's past
through photographs, videos, music, the written word and
artifacts, and make these resources available for all to
enjoy and study with special emphasis on the students
throughout the school district.
The Kings Park Heritage Museum celebrates with pride,
the diverse history of the town, including the Kings
Park Psychiatric Center. Discover your history, discover
your town and be part of our shared experience.
Click
Here to Join Our Friends List
The Kings Park Museum
Needs Your Help!
If you have any materials you are willing to donate to
the museum, especially old photographs, video, or
artifacts; please contact the Kings Park Heritage
Museum.
Email:
Info@KingsParkMuseum.com
Volunteers Needed!
Video Production Assistants, Photographers, Graphic
Artists, Cleaning Staff and Photo Scanners. No
experience necessary!
Kings Park Heritage Museum
Online Blogs
Click Here to Visit!
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Annual Seisuen!
Irish Night at the
Kings Park Heritage Museum
An evening of Song,
Music and Dance
September 19, 2008 at
R.J.O.
School
Located at 101 Church
Street in Kings Park.
This event is sponsored by the
Smithtown Hibernians
and the Kings Park Heritage Museum
Show starts at
7:00 pm
Free Admission
For further
information call:
Myra
Fontana 631-663-3099
Heritage
Museum 631-269-3205
Kings
Park Town
"The Second Wave"- 1964-1969
Kings
Park's Rapid Expansion!
During the mid to
late 1960's Kings Park experienced a period of
unprecedented rapid growth which was fueled by the
Aerospace Industry, Defense Contractors and the Kings
Park State Hospital.
This film
documents the changes which occurred during that time
period, including the building of the Kings Park High
School, Park View Elementary School and the many housing
developments including Old Bridge Estates, Wilshire,
Crestwood, Gramercy Towne, Miller Homes, Flower Hill,
Hillside Terrace and Lawrence Manner.
Also included are
clips from the last year of RJO School when the historic
building served as both the Jr. and Sr. High School,
including Mr. Bowman's Archery Club, the Baseball
Team, Track Team and a very rare clip of William T.
Rogers, after whom the current middle school is named.
Click Here to View Video!
Photo
Gallery:
Click Image above
to View!
Video restored/prepared for the Internet and article
written by Steve Weber, Historic References from Miles
Borden, "History of Kings Park" Published by the Kings
Park Heritage Museum. Special thanks to Mrs. Gardner who
had Charlie finally clean out the basement and found
these historic films!
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2008 Kings Park Fire
Department
Edward Mankuski Scholarship
The Kings Park Fire Department has announced
the 2008 winners of the Edward Mankuski Scholarship Awards. These
well deserving students each will receive a $1500 scholarship to the
college of their choice.
This year's Edward Mankuski Scholarship Award
Recipients are: Bonnie Beckman, Katie Boylan, Nora Cuff, Patrick
Fagan, Holly Luscher, Caitlin McGreever, Janine Paliotta, Nicholas
Pisciotta, Kristin Ramierez, Jessica Revere, Nancy Tello, and Alyssa Weisse.
Edward Mankuski Scholarship
History
Above Left, Edward Mankuski Sr and Above
Right, Edward Mankuski Jr.
Edward Mankuski Memorial Scholarship is
given each year by the Kings Park Fire Department in memory of
Edward B. Mankuski, U.S. Navy, Killed in Action during the
Battle of the Coral Sea, Pacific Theater, July 18,th 1943 and in
memory of his son, Chief Edward J. Mankuski, Kings Park Fire
Department, Killed in the Line of Duty on February 15, 1974.
The Scholarship was established in 1964
to honor the supreme sacrifice of Seaman Edward Mankuski. In
1974, his son, Fire Chief Edward Mankuski Jr, was added to the
annual award.
Above Left, Seaman Mankuski (front)
on leave before being shipped out to fight in the Pacific
Theater during World War II. Above Right, Kings Park's
Bravest outside St Josephs Church, to honor Chief Mankuski,
who like is father died in the line of duty. "Selfless
Sacrifice", the best words to describe Kings Park's own, The
Mankuski Family.
The Town of Smithtown and its seven
fire departments saw fit to honor the late Chief Mankuski,
who had served three terms as the Kings Park Fire
Department's Senior Line Officer, by naming the town's
Firematic Training Center in his name. Since 1974, this
facility has been identified as the Edward J. Mankuski
Firematic Traning Center. The center was formally dedicated
in a town-wide ceremony led by the Hon. Paul J. Fitzpatrick,
Town Supervisor, father of Mike Fitzpatrick, New York State
Assembly Member, on October 5th, 1974. - Miles Borden,
"History of Kings Park", Published by The Kings Park
Heritage Museum.
Click Image Above to View
The
Lost Camp Of St Johnland
Video By Steve
Weber
King and Steve Search for the St Johnland Camp which was
located in Sunken Meadow State Park in NY until 1951. St
Johnland Home was a home for children, each summer the
children would walk to this rustic camp on the shores of
the Long Island Sound to enjoy what nature had to offer
and get away from the summer heat back in the St
Johnland Home. In 1951 Sunken Meadow was expanded and
the camp was disbanded and the land claimed under
eminent domain by Robert Moses.
Click Here to View Video
Kings Park
Relay Walk For Life!
Community Helps to
Fight Cancer
The American Cancer
Society and all the
People of Kings Park
joined together
again the year to
participate in a
"Relay for Life"
which was held on
May 30-31, 2008 at
the Kings Park High
School.
Relay For Life is a
fun-filled overnight
event designed to
celebrate
survivorship and
raise money for
research and
programs of your
American Cancer
Society.
Teams are made up of
families, neighbors,
students, staff,
organizations,
businesses and
community members
working together to
help raise awareness
and get some
exercise as well.
Celebrate. Remember.
Fight Back.
Pictured above Kings
Park Chamber of
Commerce 2007
Lifetime Community
Service Honoree and
Cancer Survivor Inez
O'Conner warms-up
with fellow cancer
survivor at this
year's "Relay for
Life" before heading
out to the Kings
Park High School
Track.
The first lap of the
Relay honors cancer
survivors and the
entire community
becomes a support
group for these
people. The
survivors truly
become the
celebrities of the
Relay for Life.
Leo Ostebo from the
Kings Park Heritage
Museum says of the
event organizer and
past Kings Park
Chamber of Commerce
Person of the Year
Honoree Judy Bishop,
"This is all from
Judy's efforts,
there are lives
being saved right
here today! An
excellent example to
our children on how
to make a positive
difference in our
community."
Cancer deaths
dropped to 553,888
in 2004, down from
556,902 in 2003 and
557,271 in 2002,
according to the
American Cancer
Society. The down
turn trend in cancer
deaths appears to be
accelerating. Early
Detection, Reduced
Cigarette Smoking
Rate and New
Treatment are all
contributing to the
increased survival
rates and events
like the "Relay for
Life" is a critical
component in this
success.
One of the very
special moments in
the Relay is the
Luminary Ceremony
that takes place in
the evening.
Luminary bags are
placed around the
track inscribed with
the names of loved
ones, co-workers,
friends, neighbors
and family members
who have lost their
battle to cancer or
as a way to honor a
cancer survivor. As
darkness falls, the
candles were lit and
a ceremony is
conducted.
Celebrate the lives
of those who have
battled cancer. The
strength of
survivors inspires
others to continue
to fight. Pictured
above, former San
Remo Civic
Association
President and Cancer
Survivor Roy
Conforti walks first
lap with fellow
cancer survivors.
Tributes to loved
ones lost to the
disease were on
display which can
help with the
grieving process and
find healing.
Fight Back! We Relay
because we have been
touched by cancer
and desperately want
to put an end to the
disease. Make a
commitment to save
lives by taking up
the fight.
Click On Image Above
to View
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Memorial Day 2008 - Kings Park
Video by Steve
Weber
The
theme for this year's memorial day is Kings Park is
"Freedom Isn't Free". Many Americans have fought and
died to insure that we have the freedoms which we all
enjoy today. Deacon John set the tone with his
opening prayer: "Give us the strength not to be angry
with our neighbors who may disagree with us, rather let
us rejoice in the many, many freedoms you have given
us." So from all the People of Kings Park, to all our
Honored Veterans, Thank You.
Click Here to View Video
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The
Irish Immigrants Of Kings Park Book Signing
 
The Kings Park Heritage Museum is
proud to announce the publication of Myra Dockery
Fontana's Book, the Irish Immigrants of Kings Park.
Mrs. Fontana, the Kings Park Chamber of Commerce 2008
Lifetime Community Service Award Honoree signed
copies of her new book at the Kings Park Branch of the
Smithtown Library on May 12, 2008. It was a packed house
and her widely acclaimed book on the Irish Immigrants in
Kings Park is an astounding success.
Myra's book is available
at the Kings Park Heritage Museum, San Remo Pharmacy and
the Kings Park Stationary Store. All proceeds go to
supporting the Kings Park Heritage Museum.
Click Here to View Photo's Of Event
Smithtown History
With Brad Harris
In 1986 Brad
Harris, the Official Smithtown Historian and then
Smithtown Council Member in association with Viacom
Cablevision produced a series of documentaries on Towns
of Smithtown.
These
documentaries are the quintessential guide to our shared
history. Even the most common places have the most
uncommon of history. Above Mr. Harris is pointing to the
train trestle which crosses Jericho Turnpike near the
Smithtown Bull and explains how the mail was delivered
to the nearby post office.
"On occasion
the mail would miss the mail pole and fall into the
river below. The residents were accustomed to soggy
mail".
In the three
episodes presented here, Smithtown, St James and Village
of the Branch, Brad Harris walks and talks his way
through the neighborhoods in 1986.
Looking back at these critically acclaimed films, we get
a glimpse into long and near passed history. Above
is Main Street in Smithtown, many of these stores are
long since gone, the cars have long since been
scrapped....The changing face of Smithtown...maybe Brad
Harris's next book?
Click Link
Below to View Video:
Smithtown
Village of the Branch
St James
Brad Harris is
the Historian for the Kings Park Heritage Museum's
sister organization, the Smithtown Historical Society
which is located at:
Smithtown
Historical Society
5 North Country Road
Smithtown, NY 11787
631-265-6768
www.smithtownhistorical.org
Historic Smithtown
by Maggie Blanck
Visit
Maggie Blanck's Web Site on Historic Smithtown!
Click HERE to Visit Maggie's Website
Kings Park Lacrosse
1994 Alumni Game
In
1968 Leo Ostebo formed the first Kings Park Lacrosse
Team. Leo had played lacrosse as a student at New
England College and by his own words, "I wasn't that
good, third string at best, but I enjoyed being part of
the game". In addition to being a highly physical sport
requiring extreme athletic conditioning, Lacrosse was
and is an excellent scholarship opportunity for many
students.
"We
had no funding at all, we begged and borrowed our
equipment. There we times we had 10 different colored
helmets on the fields at one time." Pictured above, Leo
went on to say..."The then Athletic Director for the
high school wouldn't let us practice on the school
field, so we mowed the field across the street and held
our practices and games there."
"I
remember all the athletes who played on the Lacrosse
Teams, but some stick out more than others." Leo recalls
Mike Quigley, who now is the Assistant Superintendent
for Financial and Administrative Services for the School
District. "Mike was a great Athlete, he ran like deer
and had an excellent work ethic, but that's not why I
remember him", Leo said with a grin. "He would organize
team bowling tournaments the night before a game, that
way he would be sure that all his teammates would be
ready to play in the morning and not nursing a
hangover!"
Pete
Thompson, the current Kings Park Lacrosse Coach went to
New England College on a full athletic scholarship for
Lacrosse. "That was a thrill in and of itself, but the
night I received the phone call from Pete saying that he
was selected to be an "All American", well lets just
say, if ever there was a tear in my eye, that was the
night", Leo recalled as his voice cracked a bit.
In
1994 the Lacrosse Alumni got together for one more
go-round. The video below was created by one of the
teammates to remember the occasion.
Click HERE to View Video!
2008 - Kings Park Jazz Festival
The Second Annual Kings Park Jazz festival was attended
by close to 200 people. Performing was
Don T's Inferno,
Miles,
The Blur Division and
The Ranny Reeve Jazz Band, all with strong
connections to Kings Park. The performer’s ages ranged
from 15 to 85, which also reflected the audience’s
demographics. Many families came to the show with three
generations. Only Jazz Music can to that.
Jazz Video!
Click
HERE to View Video
From The Festival
The
Beanery in Kings Park Provided the Refreshments and
Mary
Ann Lund, Artist to the Kings Park Heritage Museum
held an Art Exhibit in the lobby featuring Kings Park
Scenes in all of her critically acclaimed water colors.
The sound and lighting was managed by the Tech Squad
from the Kings Park High School under the direction of
Rick Holmes.
With the help of Kim
Babski, the Kings Park Heritage Museum collected over 70
pairs of pajamas and 50 books for the Long Island Head
Start program which helps children in need with basic
services to better help them learn and grow.
Event Coordinator Steve
Weber, Kings Park Historian King Pedlar and Heritage
Museum Director Leo Ostebo delivered the donations to
the Long Island Head Start Main Headquarters.
The Pajama Program’s
Administrator Mrs. Burnett; wanted to express her
deepest appreciation to all the people of Kings Park for
their generosity, “This was quite a surprise! Totally
unexpected….I have one wish for the people of Kings
Park; may you sleep well and have pleasant dreams,
comforted with the knowledge that you have insured that
our children, will be doing the same. A warm set of
pajamas and a good bed time story is the stuff which
good dreams are made of.
2007 - Kings Park Film Festival
Final Results
Best Film: Ghost Story
Dave Henderson
Best Documentary: Forgotten Wards
John Leita/Laura Cummings
Best Cinematography: Lost Suburbia
John Robert/Sean King
Best Musical Score: Walk Down The Trax
Paul Zunno
Best Music Video: Go Alone
Dead and Dreaming
Lifetime Achievement Award: King Pedlar
Filmmaker - Historian - Author -
Photographer |
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