KINGS PARK HERITAGE MUSEUM
RJO Building,
99 Old Dock Road,
Kings Park, NY 11754
(631) 269-3305 - Info@KingsParkMuseum.Com
Guided Tour Hours: By Appointment Only
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.
It has been my
extreme pleasure to be the author of the Kings Park
Museum Website for the past several years. I have
enjoyed working with the wonderful volunteers at the
Kings Park Heritage Museum to discover and preserve the
history of Kings Park.
Personal and
business obligations are such that beginning May 1st,
2012, I will be stepping down as the author of the Kings
Park Museum Website and turning over the domain to the
hard working volunteers at the Kings Park Heritage to
maintain in the future.
During this
transfer process there may be a period of time when the
website may not be accessible, but I am assured by those
volunteers that they have big plans for the website and
will be unveiling their plans at a future date.
Once again it
has been my honor to be part of the museum for the past
6 years and I urge all to visit the museum.
All the best,
Steve Weber
2011-2012 Events
Calendar!
Feb.
17th, 7pm - Ranny Reeve Jazz Festival - RJO
March
30th, 7pm Latino Heritage Night - RJO
April
19th, 7pm - Entrepreneur Hall of Fame - High School
April 20th, 7pm - Hawaiian/Polynesian Heritage Night -
RJO
May
18th, 7pm - Greek Heritage Night - RJO
Kings Park
Heritage Museum Director Leo Ostebo
Honored by the Smithtown Historical Society
October 2011, Leo Ostebo
and the Kings Park Heritage Museum were honored by the
Smithtown Historical Society for preserving local
history and supporting the mission of the Smithtown
Historical Society.
Presenting the award to Leo
Ostebo was Tony Tanzi who detailed Leo's great
accomplishments with respect to our shared history.
When asked why Leo wasn't
his ornery self this night, Leo replied that he is a
visitor here and he is representing Kings Park and wants
to leave a good impression. Words and actions we all
should live by!
Picture Gallery - Click on
Image to View
Ecosystems of Life
Sunken Meadow State Park
Film by Steve Weber, Hosted
by Jan Porinchak, Special Guest Lane Smith.
This is the second installment in the documentary series
"Ecosystems of Life", This film explores the ecosystems
of the Sunken Meadow State Park, located on the North
Shore of Long Island, Kings Park, NY.
There are many ecosystems within walking distance inside
of the Sunken Meadow Sate Park; fresh water wetlands,
brackish estuaries and the beaches of the Long Island
Sound, all are treasured habitats which need to be
protected and enjoyed.
Books available via mail
order are Leo Polaski's Book "The Farm Colonies", Miles
Borden's Book "History of
Kings Park", Myra Fontana's
Book "Irish
Immigrants of Kings Park" and "The Irish
Families of Kings Park", Brad Harris and King Pedlar's Book "St Johnland,
the Forgotten Utopia", David Flynn's Book "Early
Homes of Kings Park - 1690-1917" and George Tiernan's book "Kings Park a
Pictorial History 1870-1960".
Collect all 7 books for a
Suggested $70 Donation
Shipping Included!
Irish Families
of Kings Park
The Farm Colonies
History of Kings Park
Irish Immigrants
of Kings Park
St
Johnland
Forgotten Utopia
Early
Homes of
Kings Park
Kings Park
Pictorial History
Send $12 donation for each book
ordered or
$70 for all 7 books to:
Please be certain to indicate
selected books when ordering.
Kings Park Heritage Museum
RJO Intermediate School
99 Old Dock Road
Kings Park, NY 11754
To obtain information on
family members who may have been a resident in the Kings
Park Psychiatric Center, there are several resources you
may find useful.
1) Located on this website
are several census documents dating back to the early
1900's, both employees and patients are listed here as
well as important personal statistics.
3) The Official Records of
the Kings Park Psychiatric Center are stored in the
Pilgrim State Psychiatric Center. All requests for
information must be sent in writing via US Mail:
Pilgrim Psychiatric Center
Atten: Medical Records
Building 82
998 Crooked Hill Road
West Brentwood
New York, New York 11717
The Former
Employees of the Kings Park State Psychiatric Center
Celebrated their shared experiences as employees of the
Kings Park Psychiatric, affectingly known by many as the
"State Hospital".
Hosted by
Myra Fontana and Geri Creighton, this reunion is the
second in what is hoped to by a semi-annual event. "We
are losing old friends everyday, its important that we
share these times together. " explain former Therapy
Aid, King Pedlar.
Referring to
them as "Her Kids." former shift supervisor Geri
Creighton explained that many of the young people on her
staff helped keep her young. "We decorated the wards, I
brought in my husband's old suites for one patient to
wear. We loved those patients and would do whatever it
required to keep them safe, healthy and we tried to
bring a more regular home life to the wards."
Kings Park Fire Department
2013 Centennial Anniversary!
FORMAL BEGINNINGS- 1913
The Kings Park Fire Department can trace its formal
beginnings back to 1913 when a handful of residents met
in Claytons livery barn on Meadow Rd. to organize and
name their private fire brigade the Kings Park Hook and
Ladder fire Company. The brigade’s small horse drawn
fire wagon had been housed in Clayton’s barn for more
than a year before its guardians gave themselves a name.
FIRE BRIGADE EXISTED AS EARLY AS 1908
History suggests that a small fire company existed in
Kings Park as early as 1908, perhaps even earlier.
Department records show that William Baker entered the
community’s fire company in 1910. Town of Smithtown
board minutes report that the matter of forming a fire
department was presented to the town board in 1911 by
Justice of the Peace, John F. Kelly. For some unknown
reason, Kelly withdrew the petition from the board’s
agenda to be reconsidered at a later date. Justice Kelly
was also a member of the local fire brigade at the time.
FIRE WAGON WAS MOVED THREE TIMES
The community’s modest horse drawn fire wagon was first
housed in the Carlson’s bar located near the railroad
freight yard. Around 1912 it was moved to Clayton’s
livery bard- today the location of Clayton’s funeral
home. This modest fire wagon was moved again for the
third time in 1915 to a building on Main Street,
subsequently named Fireman’s Hall, the present site of
Russ Savat Plaza.
KINGS PARK FIRE DEPARTMENT ORGANIZED- 1924
Community residents, by public referendum, created the
Kings Park Fire District in October 1924. One of the
first orders of business for the newly elected fire
commissioners in December 1924 was to officially
establish the Kings Park Fire Department. By May 1925
the private Kings Park Hook and Ladder Company was
disbanded, for the vast majority of its members had
joined the community’s newly formed, tax supported
department at the invitation of the district fire
commissioners.
Long Island
Arena
The Long Island
Area, although not located in Kings Park, this historic
building was a large part of Kings Park Life. In
addition to the flea market, this area hosted the Long
Island Ducks Hockey Team, the New York Nets Basket Ball
Team, Peter Frampton's Album "Frampton Comes Alive" was
recorded here, the Who was a headliner and JFK held a
campaign rally.
The most common
comment about this historic building "I saw my first
concert there." Located in what is now the Target
Shopping Center in Commack, the Long Island Area was
part of a complex which also held the RKO Theater, the
Commack Drive-In Theater and the Commack Roller Rink. A
treasured part of life not only in Kings Park but all of
Long Island.
Back in the 1930s, Kings Park was a
small town with three grocery stores: Bohack's, A&P and Ralston's
(in the same spot as the current Ralph's Ices). Behind Ralston's was
a small apartment occupied by the store manager, his wife and their
four children. Eddie Reddy was one of those children born into the
grocery business.
Reddy went through the Kings Park School District. Throughout high
school, Reddy worked in both Bohack's and Ralston's. He and his 28
classmates graduated in 1944. Upon graduation, he joined the Navy
and traveled throughout the Pacific. His ship, an LSM307,
transported Marines from Okinawa to Nagasaki. Reddy served for two
years before returning to Kings Park.
After a short stint as a construction worker, Reddy was called back
into the grocery industry by the manager at Bohack's. He was asked
to help run a store which had opened in East Northport, where he
remained for 17 years. During that time, he met his future wife Ruth
through a mutual friend Pat Kirby. The two went on a first date with
Pat Kirby and his future wife to a softball game. The two were
married in 1950.
In 1963, Reddy bought a small building which he transformed into
Indian Head Deli in the same place where Andersen Catering is now.
Many longtime residents simply knew it as Eddie Reddy's. According
to Reddy, life at the deli was 14 hours a day, seven days a week.
It was seven years before Reddy was able to take any time off.
Despite the grueling schedule, Reddy loved the deli world. He looked
forward to his daily morning crowd of locals Cal Cunningham, Wally
Jenkins, Bob Wertz and Buster Toner who would meet every morning and
discuss local goings-on over coffee. Although others would sometimes
stop in and join the group for a morning sessions, the foursome was
a constant for years.
As a storeowner, Reddy was known as a kind man who was always
willing to extend credit to those in need. If you couldn't afford
groceries until payday, Reddy allowed his customers to write a check
and place a big "X" over the date so that he knew not to cash it.
When the money came in, Reddy would get paid.
The Reddy clan began to grow. Ruth and Ed had six children: Ed,
Susan, Ellen, Billy, Marianne and Rob. As the boys grew older, they
worked many hours in the deli beside their dad. The memories of his
time spent in the deli with his sons and his friends are many.
"I do miss the people," says Reddy. "Now I will be in town or at
church and I get to see these grown men and women who used to come
into the deli as kids raising kids of their own. I really enjoy
that."
In 1988, Reddy retired from the deli and now spends much his time
working in his yard and spending time with his family, which now
includes 14 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Reddy says he
loves Kings Park for many reasons: its proximity to the water, his
home, his church and his nice neighbors. He and his wife enjoy
walking the Sunken Meadow boardwalk and seeing old friends.
Four of the Reddy children went into education: Ed, Susan, Ellen and
Marianne. Rob, the youngest, is a professional musician working in
Manhattan. However one Reddy carries on the family tradition. Son
Billy is a grocer connection who now owns his own deli in
Guildenlend Center in upstate New York.
At 86 years old, Inez O'Connor has
more energy than those half her age. Most residents know her as "the
walker" who is out at the crack of dawn doing her daily 2 mile walk.
She gets her walk in early so that she can do her work out later in
the day at Curves.
Upon graduating from Plattsburgh State Teachers' College in 1945,
Inez settled in Kings Park. She immediately began working in the
high school as a Home Economics teacher.
" I loved working in Kings Park," said O'Connor. " The parents were
wonderful. The kids were wonderful." She said it was a different
time. "The kids knew if they sassed you and you called home, there
would be trouble at the doorstep."
O'Connor was the first woman ever to ask for, and be granted, a
maternity leave in the Kings Park school system. Today, she has 6
grown children, 19 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren (with
another on the way). Visits to family include trips to Kentucky,
Ohio, Texas, Georgia and North Carolina.
Once a year, O'Connor goes on an international adventure with her
younger sister. Some of their favorite trips have been to India,
Thailand, Vietnam, Machu Pichu, and Africa. This year's trip will be
an Adriatic cruise to Montenegro and Croatia. O'Connor loves
experiencing other cultures and often returns home grateful and
edified. While visiting Normandy, O'Connor recalls being moved by
the soldiers' gravestones, some of which had crucifixes, others
Jewish stars. She was touched by the fact that in life they may have
fought against each other, in death they were buried beside each
other.
When at home, O'Connor can often be found selling raffles for the
Smithtown Lionesses yearly drawing. This year organization is
purchasing a seeing eye dog. They also donate to local charities for
battered women and those affected by diabetes and other debilitating
illnesses. She is also an active member of St. Joseph's Catholic
Daughters of America, the Retired Teachers Association and the Kings
Park Senior Citizens and volunteers three times a week at the
Methodist Church Thrift Shop.
O'Connor loves her hometown of Kings Park. "I find it so very
friendly and outgoing. That parade (St. Patrick's Day) was the
greatest thing in the world. It was so uniting."
She enjoys seeing former students and the children of former
students around town. That and her her philosophy of keeping busy
and exercising are what keep her young. Having survived both lung
cancer and a stroke, Inez O'Connor does not let a day go by when she
doesn't live life to its fullest. She is a Kings Parker you should
get to know.
Spending time with King Pedlar is like
walking down Kings Park’s very own Memory Lane. Many people greet
him by name, and stop to talk about his photography projects or the
good old days down at The Beacon(now The Old Dock Inn) with Benny
the Bartender. Times were simple then and Pedlar maintains that
sense of simplicity in his daily life.
Pedlar’s young life was far from easy. When he was only 10 years
old, his father, a Yale educated writer for NBC, died leaving his
mother to care for King, his younger brother Dean and a sister
Lynne.
1949 was a time of horrible hardship for the family and they moved
into St. Johnland, which at the time was a home for orphans and
those in need. There Pedlar and his siblings were educated and
content. In the early ‘50’s, Pedlar’s mother remarried and moved the
family to Levittown where King and his siblings were bussed to
Farmingdale High School. The adjustment from the small 10 student
classrooms of St. Johnland to the large public high school was too
much for Pedlar. At 17, he enrolled in the United States Navy.
After returning from the Navy, Pedlar briefly entered the Kings Park
State Hospital Nursing School in 1957. However, the rigors of the
program were not for him and he left the program and began working
as an attendant at the psychiatric facility.
He and many of his co-workers lived in a large one room dormitory
and enjoyed the camaraderie of the hospital. Pedlar called those
days his “Shangra-La”, a phrase he attributes to his friend and
co-worker Matty O’Reilly. Pedlar served as a night shift attendant
from 1958 until his retirement in 1990 . His time as an employee was
recently documented in Lucy Winer’s Kings Park: Stories From An
American Mental Institution.
Throughout his tenure at KPPC, Pedlar also served the community as a
bus driver for the Kings Park School District. This part-time
position gave him the opportunity to get to know many of the KPHS
athletes. “Those kids were really like the crème de le crème.
Great kids," he said.
Today, most people know Pedlar as an unofficial historian and
photographer for the community of Kings Park. He still lives in view
of the hospital grounds. “Those bricks are in my blood. I still
enjoy looking at them.”
He and friend Steve Weber have done some work on short films about
the history of Kings Park. Pedlar characterizes them as simple,
short films about Kings Park places and events and can be seen on
Facebook and YouTube.
He also enjoys keeping those who have left Kings Park abreast of
happenings and events in town. Aside from his passion for
photography, Pedlar also enjoys playing the piano. He recently
played at the Kings Park Jazz Festival and would enjoy playing in a
piano lounge at some point.
Pedlar says he loves his Kings Park and its people. He notes an
increase in traffic and people and although he misses the days where
everyone knew everyone, he does see the positive growth in our
community.
“Years ago, you’d have to leave Kings Park to go to the doctor or
the dentist or a good restaurant. Everything is here now."
In 1960, Don Guilfoil, a Korean war
vet who served on the USS Badger, settled in Kings Park where he and
his wife, Betty, would raise their five sons. Guilfoil had worked as
a milkman for years and decided to take the Suffolk County Police
Department test in order to serve others and secure a good future
for his fast-growing family. Guilfoil passed the test and joined the
force in 1963. His last 11 years were spent in the Arson Squad. He
retired from the force on November 30, 1987.
Like many police officers, Guilfoil understood the risk of the job.
However, in the 1970's, he was moved by the rise of officers killed
in the line of duty.
"It seemed as though they were killing cops left and right. The
Black Panthers killed two officers in a city housing project.
Another two officers were shot down and then their killers took
their own guns from their holsters and shot them again. I wanted to
do something so that these heroes wouldn't be forgotten."
Those years were considered the deadliest decade for law enforcement
officers. The 1970's saw 2,231 law enforcement officers killed in
the line of duty according to Shield 370, a Suffolk County Police
Department publication.
Guilfoil brought his idea of a national memorial to all fallen law
enforcement officers to the Suffolk County Policemen's Benevolent
Association. The PBA in turn got the support of then Congressman
James Grover. However, when Grover lost his reelection bid, there
was fear that the project would be dropped. However, Bronx
Congressman Mario Biaggi, himself a former cop, stepped in and
pushed legislation forward.
After years of lobbying, Guilfoil's dream became a reality. On
October 5, 1991, the National Law Enforcement Memorial was dedicated
and opened to the public. The nation's monument to law enforcement
officers who have died in the line of duty features two 304
foot-long, blue gray curving walls. Etched on these walls are the
names of over 20,000 men and women who have been killed in the line
of duty throughout the United States. Sadly, new names are added to
the walls as the number of heroes grows.
Guilfoil was not content with the monument, however. He was one of
the original officers who pushed for the establishment of a local
memorial fund for fallen officers. He and fellow officers were
instrumental in a program in which .50 cents of each active
officer's paycheck was donated to a family fund for fallen officers'
loved ones. Guilfoil also helped convince former County Executive
Gaffney to fly the National Law Enforcement flag at Police
Headquarters and local precincts.
George H.W. Bush, president when the memorial was dedicated in 1991
spoke of the bravery of those killed in the line of duty.
“They gave much and asked little. They deserve our remembrance. Here
in America’s capital for as long as these walls stand, they will be
remembered, not for the way they died, but for how they lived.”
Historic Smithtown
by Maggie Blanck
Visit
Maggie Blanck's Web Site on Historic Smithtown!