Preserving History
Safe keeping Long Island’s past.
By Kristen J. Nyitray, Contributing Editor
Special Collections acquires and preserves materials for the study of regional history that attracts researchers from both the university and around the world. These collections encompass an extensive array of books, manuscripts, and maps that are invaluable for historical research. In this issue of “Rare Treasures,” we highlight recent acquisitions made possible through the generous support of donors, which help document and preserve the rich history of Long Island. These new additions significantly enhance understanding of how the region’s past influences the present and underscores the importance of donor contributions for the continued growth of our collections. For more information, visit our Long Island Collections digital site.
Citizens’ Committee for a Fire Island National Seashore Collection
Letter by Maurice Barbash, Chairman of the Citizens’ Committee for a Fire Island National Seashore to committee members, April 11, 1965.
In September 2024, the University Libraries received a historic donation of documents detailing the grassroots battle to prevent the construction of a highway on Fire Island and secure the creation of the Fire Island National Seashore (FINS), New York. The collection, donated by the Barbash family – siblings Cathy, Susan, and Shepard Barbash – provides a comprehensive look at the efforts of the Citizens’ Committee for a Fire Island National Seashore. This committee, founded in 1962 and co-chaired by their father Maurice Barbash and uncle Irving Like, played a pivotal role in the successful fight against Robert Moses’ proposed highway and in the eventual establishment of FINS in 1964. The donation includes committee meeting minutes, press releases, and correspondence with key political figures such as New York State Governor Nelson Rockefeller and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Stuart Udall. The timing of the donation coincided with the 60th anniversary of the legislation that created FINS as part of the National Park Service.
The collection will be digitized and made freely available online, offering future generations valuable insight into the strategies and determination of the grassroots movement that helped protect Fire Island’s natural environment. Cathy Barbash explained that the decision to donate the materials to Stony Brook University was motivated by the university’s proximity to both Fire Island and the pre-existing collection of their uncle Irving Like’s papers. The Barbash family is proud to contribute this significant historical record to a major research institution, ensuring that the legacy of their father and uncle’s civic activism continues to inspire future generations of researchers and environmental advocates.
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The Emory Payson and Jean Wilcox Tuttle Estate Collection
The Schooner “John Crockford” is abandoned in ice on the Long Island Sound by Old Field Point, New York, February 2, 1902. Photograph by Byron W. Hallock.
Long Island’s rich history is shaped by the stories of families whose lives are deeply intertwined with the land, the sea, and the changing tides of time. The Tuttle-Hawkins family is one such lineage, whose journey spans generations and reflects the enduring spirit of Long Island’s east end communities. The Emory Payson and Jean Wilcox Tuttle Estate Collection traces the history of the Tuttle and Hawkins families, whose deep roots in Eastport and Setauket, New York, reflect the unique history of Long Island.
The Tuttles were involved in farming, craftsmanship, and local church life. Notable family figures include John Anderson Tuttle, a descendant of Eastport’s original settlers, and his son, Ray Tuttle, who served in World War I and later contributed to the local duck farming industry. Ray married Ruth Hawkins in 1920, and their son, Emory P. Tuttle, carried on the family legacy of farming, music, and community service. The family was notable for their maritime connections and contributions to the region’s shipbuilding history.
The collection detailing this family history was donated by David W. Tuttle, Mark H. Tuttle, and Nathan J. Tuttle. It includes personal accounts, family records, correspondence, and photographs that offer a window into the lives of the Tuttle and Hawkins families, highlighting their contributions to farming, local culture, and history. The legacy spans generations, with family members like Emory and Jean Tuttle continuing the traditions of farming and service to the community. The collection captures the enduring spirit of a family dedicated to preserving its history while navigating the changes of an increasingly modern world.
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Dorothy J. and Ronald W. Siegel Rare Book Fund
Deed of land transfer from George Strong to David Hedges, East Hampton, New York, 1741.
Siblings Paul, Martha and David Siegel established the Dorothy J. and Ronald W. Siegel Rare Book Fund at Stony Brook University Libraries to honor their parents’ passion for books and education. The fund, initially created in memory of Ron who worked at Stony Brook from 1966 in various administrative roles, was expanded into a permanent endowment after Dorothy’s passing in 2014.
Among the notable acquisitions made possible with the Dorothy J. and Ronald W. Siegel Fund is a New York import/export ledger from 1819-1828, which provides detailed records of trade transactions including with the U.S. Navy, banks, and businesses, offering a fascinating glimpse into early American commerce. The endowment has also brought into the collection a book with the poems of Cornelia Huntington, a pioneering 19th-century writer from East Hampton. Additionally, property deeds from early 19th-century East Hampton, which detail land transfers and boundary definitions, provide valuable insight into the region’s settlement practices.
The Siegel endowment has also supported the acquisition of a 1927 real estate reference map of Nassau County, showing the locations of parks, residential properties, and roadways including the proposed Wantagh Parkway, which would eventually connect to Jones Beach. This map offers a detailed view of Long Island’s development during the early 20th century. In addition, a 1927 fire insurance rate table for Nassau County, which lists property owners and types of buildings, adds further depth to the collection by documenting the area’s economic and social landscape during that period. These acquisitions, together with other rare materials, have strengthened the university’s collections and expanded the scope of research opportunities.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kristen J. Nyitray is Associate Librarian, Director of Special Collections and University Archives, and University Archivist at Stony Brook University. A Certified Archivist (Academy of Certified Archivists), she is recipient of the Chancellor’s Award (SUNY) and the President’s Award (SBU) for Excellence in Librarianship. Her current scholarship focuses on Indigenous histories and representations in archival sources. Among her publications are the books Stony Brook: State University of New York and Long Island Beaches.