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Souvenirs Fire Island: 1970’s The Photography of Meryl Meisler
Meryl Meisler is an American photographer. In the 1970s she photographed in New York City nightclubs and in the 1980s she photographed residents of Bushwick, Brooklyn, while working as a public school teacher there. She also frequented Fire Island where she photographed and captured the era of the 1970’s.
Peter Berlin on the art of cruising in Fire Island
Photographer, filmmaker, porn star, and exhibitionist, Peter Berlin evades categorization; he is simply one of the greatest queer sex symbols of the 20th century. He was a living, breathing, cruising work of art.
Rockshots Greeting Cards by Michael Rock & Tolin Greene
An image is worth a thousand words they say, and so it went with Photographer Michael Rock and the erotic images that became greeting cards known as Rockshots of an era…
The Dolly Parton look-alike Contest- Cherry Grove 1978.
The Dolly Parton look alike contest was part of the annual Cherry Grove Fair. Community events like this give Cherry Grove its unique history.
A Dual in the Sun. The Rockefeller/Ron Martin home Est. 1965
Designed by Architect Harry Bates at the height of his Fire Island Career. 607 Shore Walk remains an intact example of Bates style as well as classic 60’s architecture. Built in 1965 by Walter Reich for Alan Morton, the two simple glass boxes that are the main house and a separate cottage inspired the house’s original name “Dual in the Sun.”
“Where Ocean Meets Sky” vintage aerial photo exhibit
In 2018 we created an exhibit of vintage 1970’s aerial photo’s. Unlike the aerial photo’s taken today using a drone, these photo’s were taken from a seaplane hired by longtime Pines resident Claudio and his then partner Jerry Gloor.
“Welcome to Fire Island Visions of Cherry Grove and The Pines” by Jack Nichols.
Jack Nichols was Gay activist who spent his entire adult life working for gay liberation. He documented his life on Cherry Grove and a Fire Island Pines coming out of its own closet…
Halloween History in the Pines
1970’s. It begins with a simple night at the famed Sandpiper, and evolves into Halloween in the Pines as a closing of season tradition.
Fire Island Pines People- Doris Taussig
There have been many women who have been the pioneers of the Pines, however one of its earliest trailblazers was Doris Taussig. Daughter of the original landowners of the Pines Doris created her own path of history.
The Belvedere Cherry Grove Est. 1957
As you arrive by ferry to Cherry Grove to your left sits a castle like building that stands out with its white facade. Is it a palace of some long ago prince? I guess you could say it is. John Eberhardt created a fantasy here. His own. That he has left for all to experience…
The Radio Flyer Red Wagon Est. 1917.
The Radio Flyer Red Wagon was a symbol of Fire Island Life. Like everything life changes. Simpler times made the wagon the perfect vehicle to transport everything we needed for a Fire Island stay. Today’s society needs more, giving way to large carts to now transport more, making our little red wagon a thing of the past.
DJ Jim Burgess
Jim Burgess was a disco record mixer and New York DJ of the 1970s, and has been commonly referred to as one of the hottest DJ’s and Remixers of the Disco era.
Fire Island Pines People- Bobby Bonanno
Bobby Bonanno- My History: I have always been blessed to live near the water. The beach has always been a constant in my life. As a child in the summer I would travel from our home in the Bronx out to Shirley Long Island to my grandmothers house. There we would go to a place called Fire Island…
The History of Disco
Disco arrives in 1970 creating a soundtrack for an era that continues to linger today…
The Ice Palace Cherry Grove Est. 1970
As Disco arrives in Cherry Grove the Ice Palace opens bringing the DJ experience…
The Botel History Est. 1960
Standing the test of time is the Botel. Created from cinder block im 1960 after a previous fire, and named, and renamed its still here!
The Tommy Tune house Est. 1968- Reno 1984.
Sitting high on a dune on the ocean is the house where Tommy lived. Broadway star Tommy Tune that is. The Pines has always had a celebrity filled history, and Tommy was one of our brightest stars.
The Beach Olympics 1975-1981.
The Beach Olympics was a homespun event created in 1975. Most often as a fundraiser for the Pines Conservation Society. It brought the community together with unique events like wheel barrel and potato sack races, tug of war, and more.
A Walk in the Pines 1976
A 8mm home movie filmed by James Dybas donated by Michael J. La Rue showing a 1976 view of the eastern end of the Pines and where we meet up with singer Barry Manilow and friend ( Halston muse and actress) Pat Ast, and go to a Tea Dance.
The Islanders Club Est. 1968
How does one get to Fire Island? Well Blue Flettrich had just the right idea. A luxury bus was the only way to go…