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

Bridgehampton Sports Car Road Races, Program Cover Page, May 24, 1952. (From the Collection of the Suffolk County Historical Society Library Archives. Image copyright © Suffolk County Historical Society. All rights reserved.)

The original Bridgehampton Sports Car Road Races were held on the streets of Bridgehampton as early as 1915. According to the 1952 program in our library collection, the original three-mile route "started in front of Motta's Restaurant on Montauk Highway, going west to Shanahan's corner, then south down Halsey Lane on a fast run to Paul's Lane, east to Ocean Road, north to the monument in the village, and west down the highway to the finish." The 1952 event, sponsored by the Bridgehampton Lions Club under the auspices of the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA), included several races of sports cars with similar engine sizes and performance ratings.

In 1953, a community group of racers and enthusiasts formed the Bridgehampton Road Races Corporation to buy land for a private track. The group settled on a 550-acre plot overlooking Noyac Bay and bought the site for $55,000. When the 2.86-mile track was opened in 1957, it was an immediate success. Fans enjoyed the Bridgehampton Race Circuit - commonly referred to as "The Bridge" - over the next several decades, flocking to see famed racers who came from all over to compete at one of the country's most challenging race courses. The last race held at the track occurred in the 1970s, and in the late 1990s the track was dismantled for a golf course and housing development project.

To view our collection of Bridgehampton Sports Car Road Races programs, stop by during operating hours, Wednesday through Saturday,12:30 pm - 4:30 pm. No appointment is necessary, and a librarian is always available to assist you with your local history and family research. For more information, visit our website or call us at 631-727-2881 x103.

SAVE THE DATE! Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017, 6:00 - 8:00 pm

 A singles’ mixer soirée night at the museum! Enjoy our exhibits while meeting other people with similar interests. Wine + cheese will be served. $10 per person.  RSVP required by 9/9/17 to 631-727-2881 x100

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.

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, 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. 

MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
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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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Copyright © 2017 Suffolk County Historical Society. All rights reserved. No part of this electronic document may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the Suffolk County Historical Society.