Newsletter 2024: From the President

Newsletter Vol. 39, No. 1 • Spring 2024

From the President

Elizabeth McCance

I heard my first woodpecker this morning, a sure sign that spring is right around the corner. As I think about spring and the summer ahead, I am excited about my own personal migration back to Fishers Island, the things to do and the people I will see.

For me, a sure sign that summer has begun is the Museum opening party, which this year will be on Saturday, June 29. I hope to see you there. Museum Director Pierce Rafferty has put together a special high-altitude exhibit for us all to enjoy. This year’s annual exhibition, which will be staged on both the first and second floors, is entitled “Bird’s Eye View: Fishers Island from Above.” Utilizing both contemporary and historical imagery from a mixture of professional and amateur sources, “Bird’s Eye View” presents astonishingly fresh views of Fishers Island as seen from on high from one end of the island to another. The annual exhibit again is generously sponsored by Altus Partners. Some of the photographs on the second floor will be framed and available for sale. A smaller exhibit in the Natural History Gallery features a selection of Charlie Ferguson’s original bird etchings.

In addition to enjoying exhibitions inside the Museum, I hope that you will spend time this summer out in nature. Enjoy peaceful Middle Farms Pond from our new handicap accessible trail ramp at the eastern trailhead of Treasure Pond Trail, or hike along the wonderfully varied Brickyard Trail. Visit active Land Trust restoration projects within Chocomount Cove Sanctuary, or along the side of Bell Hill Avenue at the H. Lee Ferguson, Jr. Wildlife Sanctuary. There are a plethora of habitats to explore on 13 different Land Trust Trails with two new trails in the planning stage. Another project in the works is the creation of interpretive signage along Island Pond Trail.

As always, we will be hosting an exciting line up of speakers on Sundays at 4 p.m. during the season. Various guest speakers will cover the fascinating lives and ecological importance of mustelids, menhaden, jellyfish, fireflies, apex predators, and Quetzals. In two different lectures, Pierce will chronicle the history of the Mansion House, and the English Springer Spaniel field trials, this being their 100th anniversary! In addition to our weekly speaker series, we will again offer a weekly children’s program on Wednesdays at 2 p.m., and our one-week intensive nature discovery program for children (“FIND”) in August. Board member Terry McNamara offers nature walks every Thursday morning during the summer season and special trail walks designed for families will also be added to the schedule this year. For more details on all these programs, see our upcoming programs and events.

This spring we conducted a survey to gain a greater understanding of how Islanders view the Museum and what their primary interest are. This information will help us to tailor our communications and programs to respond to our community. We will publish a summary of the results later in the season. If you have further thoughts or ideas, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

Aerial of 245th Coast Artillery camp, Fort H.G. Wright, July 14, 1934.
Courtesy of Daily News.

Former National Guard camp area south of Parade Ground, Dec. 18, 2023. Drone photography by Neil Knowles.