Photo of the Week

FROM THE SCHS LIBRARY ARCHIVES

"How shall we know it is us without our past?"
- John Steinbeck

by Wendy Polhemus-Annibell, Head Librarian

The Grucci Family Making Fireworks, 1975. (Image courtesy of the Grucci Family Private Collection.)

Suffolk County is the proud home and headquarters of America's First Family of Fireworks. The Grucci family has been lighting the skies on the Fourth of July and for other events and celebrations for six generations. The family traditions began with Angelo Lanzetta in 1850, founder of a small fireworks business in southern Italy. In 1870, Angelo brought his skills to the United States and settled on Long Island. His son Anthony carried on the business, passing the skillset to a nephew, Felix Grucci Sr., who joined the company in 1923. It was Felix Sr. who established the family's deep roots in Bellport, sustained the business through the Great Depression, and expanded to develop military training ammunition simulators used by the Department of Defense, while also advancing the industry with innovative technologies that set him apart as a master of fireworks art.

Don't miss our special summer exhibit, Grucci: The Family That Lights the Skies, in our Weathervane Gallery, now through September 9, 2017. Gallery Hours: Wednesday through Saturday, 10:00 am - 4:30 pm.

The Suffolk County Historical Society wishes all of our readers, members, and other supporters a safe and happy Fourth of July holiday.

Holiday Closure: We will be closed on Saturday, July 1, for the holiday weekend, and will reopen on Wednesday, July 5. 

Upcoming BOOK & BOTTLE Events at SCHS

July 27: Jeremy Dennis, Indigenous People of the Twin Forks
Aug. 24: William Konstant, Recovery of the Bald Eagle
Oct. 7: Bob Giffen, One Little River & Sportsmen's Club
Nov. 2:  Kerriann Brosky, Historic Crimes of Long Island

Call 631-727-2881 x100 to Register!

Suffolk County Pine Barrens Exhibit Tours

The Suffolk County Water Authority Education Center will hold special tours of the Suffolk County Pine Barrens Exhibit, on loan from the Suffolk County Historical Society. The educational exhibit provides an overview of the Pine Barrens and the critical role this region plays in the protection of our county's precious groundwater. The tours will be held on July 20 and August 17, at 12 noon and 1:00 pm, and will also include an interactive water workshop and a fun quiz game for kids. The SCWA Education Center is located at 260 Motor Pkwy in Hauppauge. Call 631-292-6565 or email EdCenterTours@SCWA.com for more information. 

ABOUT THE PHOTO OF THE WEEK

The Suffolk County Historical Society’s PHOTO OF THE WEEK Series is created by librarian Wendy Polhemus-Annibell using historic primary source materials from our local history library’s extensive archives. To subscribe, visit our website or send an email request to Wendy at wannibell@schs-museum.org.

Interested in seeing more historical photos from the Collection of the Suffolk County Historical Society? Spend an afternoon at our Local History Library perusing our extensive archival photography collections. We're open Weds. - Sat., 12:30 - 4:30 PM.

To view our Photo of the Week archives, visit our website at www.SuffolkCountyHistoricalSociety.org.

MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
If you've been enjoying our Photo of the Week, please consider becoming a member of SCHS.

From the Civil War to civil rights, revolutions to restorations, spies to suffragists, boatbuilders to bootleggers, and whalers to wineries, Long Island's history comes alive at the Suffolk County Historical Society!

The Suffolk County Historical Society, founded in 1886, collects and preserves the rich history of Suffolk County and beyond. We offer a history museum, art galleries, a research library and archives, and a multitude of exhibits, programs, and educational lectures and workshops year-round. Our unique collections reflect more than three centuries of Long Island history. Click here to learn about Member Benefits!

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