Archives
“A Walk Through History” A guided walking tour on Ocean Walk. Created in 2021.
“A Walk through History” is a walking tour along Ocean Walk in the Pines included is Architecture, Celebrity, Parties, People & Gossip.
Alice Thorpe
Alice Thorpe was more than an early settler of Fire Island Pines—she was one of its founding spirits. A fierce lover of nature, an outspoken advocate for justice, and a beacon of quiet leadership, Alice helped shape the Pines into the vibrant, inclusive, and environmentally conscious community it is today.
MacaFest: Five Years of Runway, Revelry & Radical Self‑Expression at 607 Shore Walk
At 607 Shore Walk—a glass‑walled house where Jeanette Rockefeller once hosted loud, champagne‑filled sing‑alongs on the deck—a new summer tradition has now begun in Fire Island Pines.
Every Memorial‑Day–adjacent weekend since 2021, friends from three continents descend to celebrate Macarena “Maca”, the magnetic Buenos Aires‑born muse who turns a birthday into an ode to maximalist joy.
Lambda Legal: Where Fire Island History Meets the Fight for Equality
What began as a radical idea around a pool in Fire Island Pines, Lambda Legal is now the nation’s most influential LGBTQ+ legal organization. It continues to have deep roots in the Pines, with its annual fundraiser, Lambda in the Pines, being the country’s longest-running queer fundraiser. It is a shining example of the ingenuity, dedication, persistence and resilience of the Pines Community in support of the rights of LGBTQ+ people across the country.
The Fire Island Dance Festival
The Fire Island Dance Festival is a benefit for Dancers Responding to AIDS that showcases performances from world-renowned and emerging choreographers and companies in a stunning waterfront setting. It is one of the most eagerly anticipated and celebrated events of the Pines summer season.
“Fire Island Fever” 1979
In the 1970’s Fire Island became a wanted backdrop for the Gay Porn Film and photographic market. The beauty of nature and the freedom made it the perfect location for filming. Also their was plenty of hot young men willing to shed some inhibitions for extra cash. And so in 1979 Adult Filmaker Jack Deveau created “Fire Island Fever.”
Finding Fire Island: Our Legacy
Finding Fire Island: Our Legacy is a vital initiative to document and share the rich legacy of Fire Island Pines—not only for its current residents but for LGBTQ+ people everywhere. This project seeks to professionally record and amplify the stories of our legendary community, ensuring they are preserved and made widely accessible.
The History of the Fire Island Pines / The Art of Fire Islanding Hosted by the LIM 2024
A 47 minute ride through Fire Island Pines History to current day. Hosted by The Long Island Museum. A companion to their exhibit “Fire Island The Art of Liberation.”
Keeping Out the Gays: The Pines in the late 1950s
Gary Clinton has been on the Fire Island Pines Property Owners Association Board for twenty of the past twenty-five years. Since early 2023 he and his Board colleague, Russell Saray, have been organizing, digitizing, and researching FIPPOA’s records going back to 1953, which they have dubbed “The FIPPOA Papers.”
Based on that research, Gary has written “Keeping Out the Gays: The Pines in the late 1950s” for the Fire Island Pines Historical Society.
The Fire Island Muses of George Platt Lynes & the PaJaMa collective
Artists George Platt Lynes and the collective PaJaMa vacationed on Fire Island in the 1930s and 40s with a parade of attractive young gay men who served as models and muses for the artists. Here we look at 10 of these Muses - captured in their prime by the artists on Fire Island.
“SUNRISE” The party that inspired “Beach.” 1978
It was 1978 and house parties in the Pines were happening weekly. The housemates of the TV House as it was known wanted to throw one of their own. Fire Island was known for its parties. The housemates of the TV House were all from the world of the creative. Scott Bromley an up and coming architect who had just designed Studio 54 nightclub in NYC, his partner Interior designer Robin Jacobsen, Colin Birch; Design Director for Bonwit Teller, to name a few.
The Annual Labor Day Drag Party (aka The Fools Paradise Drag Party)
The Labor Day Drag Party is a long-standing tradition in Fire Island Pines that holds a Guinness World Record for having the most Madonna impersonators in a single place. It is a stunning example of over the top glamor and fabulousness, done in a way that defies convention, that the Pines has come to represent.
“The Ponderosa” The Taussig House Est. 1957.
Known as “The Ponderosa” after the ranch home on the television show “Bonanza.” Built by Ted & Doris Taussig and designed by Architect Felix Augenfeld in 1957.
Fire Island Celebrity history- RuPaul
Drag Queen superstar, television personality, actor, singer, and producer RuPaul sashays to Cherry Grove to perform in 2005.
Postcards from the Fire Island Pines
For many a visit to Fire Island resulted in a postcard sent with an image showing the events or beauty of the Island.
Staging Terry Miller’s 1981 play, PINES ‘79, in 2023
In September 2023, as part of David Baldwin’s monthly LGBTQ Play Reading Series, he produced and directed a reading of Terry Miller’s 1981 play, PINES' ‘79. Set in the first summer of The Beach Party (now known as “Pines Party”), the play follows one share house through the summer, with 5 scenes set in May, June, July, August, and September.
Pines 70th Anniversary (1953-2023)
In 2023, the Pines celebrated its 70th anniversary with a series of cultural events to reflect on the rich cultural heritage of the community. The capstone event was a FIPPOA-sponsored beach celebration featuring a live band, fashion show, and sunset performance by DJ Lina Bradford.
Cherry Grove People- Michael Fesco
Michael Fesco was a creator. In the summer of 1969 this Broadway chorus boy between gigs found himself managing what was being referred to as the Boom Boom room in Cherry Grove. Within a month found himself running the whole complex That he would name The Ice Palace…
Fire Island Fashion History- Antonio Lopez
As the 1970’s arrived the Pines became the IT destination for many in the Fashion world. Some for the backdrop it provided, and many for the privacy and fun. Fashion Illustrator Antonio Lopez was one. Hanging out with friends french photographer Jean Eudes Canival and partner Fashion designer partner Fred Lansac’s home. Pool guests included actor David Duchovny and Jason Beghe.
The House that John Whyte built. Est. 1960’s
After purchasing the Pines Yacht Club and Botel with partners model John Whyte eventually bought them all out owning it all on his own. It was time to build his castle in the sand, and yes it had to have an ocean view. It would survive the Hurricane Donna of 1962 as others got washed away. Home to the sounds of Opera, food, friends, and famous guests, but most of all the memories of a time gone by…