Island History: How the Museum Grew with Its Collections

Island History
How the Museum Grew with Its Collections

by Pierce Rafferty, HLFM Director

Adding History to the First Museum

The Museum was founded in 1960 to honor prominent Fishers Island civic and business leader Henry L. Ferguson. Originally located in a rented 600-square foot storefront in Baker Cottage, across from today’s Fire House, the collection included bird specimens and Native American artifacts primarily found on Fishers Island.

The first Museum (1960-1971). Photo by Frankie Fisher-Owens

It was not until a Board meeting six years later – on August 30, 1966 – that curator Charles B. “Charlie” Ferguson suggested “a collection of Fishers Island historical data including pictures, letters, and anything of this nature would be a worthwhile project for the Museum…” This simple but far-reaching recommendation was unanimously approved by the Board of Directors, which authorized a budget of $200 to launch the Fishers Island Historical Collection.

Jump Starting the New Collection

In January 1967 Charlie Ferguson sent a questionnaire and letter to Fishers Islanders, explaining “Our first step is to locate and catalogue all material that is of possible interest, and which might be available. We are particularly interested in early photographs, postcards, paintings, prints, letters, documents, maps and diaries. Gifts will be exhibited with the donor’s name. Material too valuable to be given or loaned could be photographed and returned.” His appeal letter envisioned “The concerted cooperation of everyone in this process will provide the Island with a new, interesting and educational segment of Island life both now and for the future.”

Expanding Collection, Musical Chairs, and the Second Museum

As objects of all shapes and sizes arrived over the next year, the need for more display and storage space became clear. Several options were explored. Charlie met with the F.I. Library Board to discuss a Library addition. The Old Fire House – today’s Beach Plum – was also considered. In July 1969, the Red Barn Gallery hosted an exhibit of selected items from the Museum’s new Historical Collection. Albeit in a borrowed venue, Fishers Island history was finally on display and on its way to becoming a cornerstone of the Museum’s mission.

The question of where to house the growing Museum collections continued through 1970, as the Board debated buying and repurposing the Old Fire House or constructing a prefabricated or site-built structure at the edge of the H. Lee Ferguson, Jr. Wildlife Sanctuary. One board member even proposed adding the Museum to the new school being planned near Silver Eel Cove. The Library addition option also resurfaced, as evidenced by the 1971 HLFM Board minutes detailing that the Library would be willing to accept a Museum addition provided the librarian would not be responsible for it.

The matter was settled that same year when Jansen Noyes, Sr. generously donated funds for a new building on Equestrian Ave. Contractor William Faulkner designed and built the one-story structure, which opened in September 1972.

The second Museum (1972-2001).

Additions, then the Third Museum

And yet space constraints persisted. In August 1979, the HLFM Historical Committee even questioned whether the Museum was the proper entity to continue housing the history collection. In response, in 1981 a History Room was added to the rear of the 2nd Museum dedicated to history-related exhibits, historical objects, pamphlets, and books. Ten years later a new archaeology wing was added to the northern end of the building.

In the late 1990s, the debate about whether to expand or start afresh resumed. Remarkably, the forces of change won out. The second Museum was demolished in late 2001 to make way for today’s third Museum. The new building, designed by Albert, Righter & Tittmann Architects, Boston, Mass., and built by Z & S Contracting, almost tripled the exhibition and storage space, with the History Room retained and repurposed as the first-floor office. The July 4, 2003, opening celebration of the new Museum, attended by more than four hundred people, reflected the generosity of Fishers Islanders and the deep commitment of the HLFM Board to preserving and exhibiting our collective history.

The third Museum (2003 to date). Photo by Chip Riegel