ANNUAL EXHIBITION 2022
YEAR ROUND: A CELEBRATION OF COMMUNITY
SPRING
A sign of spring.
Photograph by John “Speedy” Mettler
They’re back!
Photograph by Mary P. Murphy
The spring season is marked on F.I. by the return of nesting ospreys from their wintering grounds in South and Central America.
FIFD Chief Bruce Hubert starting prescribed burn on Parade Ground grassland, April 13, 2017.
Photograph by Jane T. Ahrens
Each spring the Parade Ground grasslands are burned for the F.I. Conservancy and the Middle Farms grasslands are burned for the Museum’s Land Trust to impede invasives and encourage the growth and health of native plants and grasses.
FIFD inspecting area around former gun emplacement on Parade Ground after grassland prescribed burn, March 23, 2021.
Photograph by Jane T. Ahrens
FIFD starting prescribed burn at Middle Farms, March 22, 2022.
Photograph by Jane T. Ahrens
New growth of Cinnamon ferns in section of burned Land Trust grassland, Middle Farms, April 24, 2022.
Photograph by Mecky Kuijpers
Cinnamon ferns growing amidst new grass shoots at H.L.F. Museum’s Matty Matthiessen Sanctuary, Middle Farms, May 8, 2022.
Photograph by Mecky Kuijpers
This photo was taken six weeks after the prescribed burning of the grassland at Middle Farms.
Dock Beach. 6:19 a.m. 45 degrees. April 8, 2021.
Photograph by Marlin Bloethe
Easter egg hunters in vicinity of Fort Wright Movie Theater, April 1941.
Photographer unknown. Museum Collection
For a period in the early 1940s, the annual rite of hunting for colorful eggs was held on the hill near the entrance to today’s Race Rock Garden Co.
Easter egg hunters on hill, Mosquito Hollow, Fort H.G. Wright, April 1941.
Photographer unknown. Museum Collection
Easter Egg hunt on Village Green, c.1967.
Photo courtesy of Ken Edwards, Sr. family
By the 1960s, Village Green was the site for young egg hunters. JR Edwards is featured in center foreground. The Island People’s Project (IPP) sponsors this wonderful annual event.
Easter egg hunt on Village Green, 1982.
Photograph courtesy of Patty Faulkner
Egg hunt frenzy on Village Green, April 7, 2015.
Photograph by Jane T. Ahrens
The Doyens posing with the Easter Bunny, 2008.
Photograph by Melie Spofford
Easter Bunny takes a break after posing with multiple egg hunters to benefit IPP, Easter 2008.
Photograph by Melie Spofford
Ladies’ hats on display, Kentucky Derby Party, Ahrens’ residence, May 3, 2014.
Photograph by Jane T. Ahrens
Susie Ferguson and Louisa Evans, Kentucky Derby Party, Ahrens’ residence, May 3, 2014.
Photograph by Jane T. Ahrens
Jane Ahrens setting up for the Kentucky Derby party, Fishers Island Community Center (FICC), May 4, 2019.
Photographer unknown
Since 2018, the annual Derby Party has been hosted by the FICC.
Fishers Island Yacht Club Commissioning Ceremony, May 24, 2015.
Photograph by Jane T. Ahrens
This ceremony is another annual rite that ushers in the new season on Fishers Island.
Soldiers standing at attention holding flags, Memorial Day ceremony, Village Green, circa late 1930s.
Photographer unknown. Museum Collection
When troops were still stationed at Fort H.G. Wright (pre-1949), soldiers marched from the Fort to Village Green for Memorial Day ceremonies. Later, after the Post was closed and the American Legion building was erected (1956), that site became the new starting point for marchers each Memorial Day.
Memorial Day on Village Green, 1941.
Photographer unknown. Museum Collection
Dr. Ralph Hoch leading Memorial Day parade from Legion in a red MG driven by Eddie White, May 24, 1978.
Photograph by Charlie Morgan. Museum Collection
The American Legion, Post 1045, a center for social activity year round, is the starting point for the annual Memorial Day parade each year and hosts the picnic cookout that follows. Dr. Ralph Hoch, a navy veteran, was Fishers Island’s resident doctor for several decades beginning in 1960.
Honor Guard leading Memorial Day procession to grave in St. John’s Old Cemetery, 1978.
Photograph by Charlie Morgan. Museum Collection
The destination of marchers from the Legion was originally a grave site of a World War II veteran.
John Ski preparing to fire the cannon at the American Legion, Memorial Day, 1985.
Photograph by Charlie Morgan. Courtesy of John Ski
John Ski “conducting” prior to cannon firing, Memorial Day, May 28, 2017.
Photograph by Jane T. Ahrens
Cannon firing at American Legion, Memorial Day, May 23, 2015.
Photograph by Jane T. Ahrens
Color Guard leading Memorial Day procession from Legion to Village Green, May 23, 2015.
Photograph by Jane T. Ahrens
Color Guard leading marchers past Post Office toward Village Green, May 23, 2015.
Photograph by Jane T. Ahrens
Rifle Squad preparing for three volley Salute to the Dead, Memorial Day, May 27, 2018.
Photograph by Jane T. Ahrens
From L to R: Veterans Patty Walker and Tim Patterson, and Luis Horn. Korean War veteran Joe Rogan (at far left) gave the commands.
Ken Edwards unveiling the name for the new ambulance boat: “Sea Stretcher,” 1977.
Photograph by Charlie Morgan
Peter Sanger addressing young runners, FIFD Sea Stretcher Marathon, circa 1980.
Photograph by Charlie Morgan
In 1978, Peter organized a marathon to raise money for the new FIFD Sea Stretcher ambulance boat. He continued to lead this effort in succeeding years.
Long distance runners starting at Simmons Castle during Sea Stretcher Marathon, May 31, 1982.
Photograph by Charlie Morgan
Note Jim Wall holding a pretty long “starter” gun at left.
Runners at finish line, Sea Stretcher Marathon, Memorial Day, May 1985.
Photograph by Charlie Morgan
After Peter Sanger’s tragic death in a plane crash in 1986, the Marathon was renamed in his honor.
Sea Stretcher Marathon trophy and patch, 1988.
Photograph by Charlie Morgan. Courtesy of the FIFD
Kandi Sanger awarding trophy after Sea Stretcher Marathon, May 23, 2015.
Photograph by Jane T. Ahrens
Annual exhibition sponsored by ALTUS Partners & CHUBB
