Archives
The Fire Island National Seashore. Est. 1964
Fire Island National Seashore was established by Congress on September 11, 1964, following a long history of preservation efforts, most with grass-roots support. Without the plan by master builder/ developer Robert Moses there would be no NPS. His role was a major turning point in Fire Island history.
The Monster Cherry Grove Est. 1969
Before it became the institution it is known as today, The Monster (Greenwich Village, NYC) started out as a restaurant in Cherry Grove on Fire Island. The Monster was named after a carved wooden sea serpent from the Coney Island carousel. Joe Scialo opened the restaurant and bar in 1969, where it swiftly evolved into the hottest gay nightspot of the time. From there, the concept expanded to Key West where it became immensely popular with snowbirds who would flock to vacation there during winter seasons. At the height of its popularity, The Monster was even considered Studio 54’s rival.
DJ Morabito
Before the reinvention became Morabito there was a young girl named Susan in a mans world of the DJ with a dream…
Fire Island Celebrity history- Jerry Herman
1960’s-1990’s. Broadway composer Jerry Herman loved the Pines so much so that after moving away, he came back time and time again to become a resident three times purchasing homes on both the Ocean and the Bay.…
Art history-David Hockney
Like many artists of the era David Hockney found his way to Fire Island …
Fire Island Celebrity history- Diahann Carroll
Diahann Carroll was an American actress, singer, model, and activist from the Golden Age of Hollywood. At the height of her fame in the mid 1960s, she spent her summers at a modest ocean-front cottage in the Pines with her six-year-old daughter.
Cherry Grove People-Johny Poole
Cherry Grove icon Johny Poole and his Fire Island journey…
Pines Party 1999
As the GMHC Morning Party abruptly ended FIPPOA took the wheel creating their own called “The Pines Party.”
Grey Gardens Est. 1960’s.
Named after the famous home in the Hamptons “Grey Gardens” also lived in the Pines. However it had a very different story…
Pines People- Walter & Joyce Reich
Walter & Joyce Reich were straight people living in a gay community, however they were here first. Yet none of that mattered as they created community wherever they went…
The GMHC Morning Party 1983-1990.
The GMHC Morning Party was the Pines answer to the growing AIDS crisis. Beginning as a house party it became GMHC’s biggest fundraiser…
“The Fire Island” house.
From a Daytripper fantasy to a reality show failure the homes of the Pines all have a history…
The Origins of Fire Island’s Tea Dance at The Blue Whale
The Tea Dance was created in 1966 in the Pines by then owner John Whyte. It is now replicated in gay resorts around the world…
The Island Club Est.1992-2005
Before you Sipped N Twirled you cruised at “The Crews Quarters”, then found yourself at “The Island Club”… Our clubs have a history too.
The Sloan/ Calvin Klein/ David Geffen house Est.1972
One of the most noted homes in the Pines is known as the Calvin Klein house, for the simple reason he owned it. Nothing came between Calvin and the Pines as he brought Studio 54 to the Island.
The Pink Umbrella Project: An AIDS Remembrance 1995
1995. As AIDS raged on the Pines remembered. Harry Bader a Pines resident and a NY based event designer was inspired by artist Christo.
DJ Michael Fierman
DJ Michael Fierman was just one from the Turntable Royalty of DJ’s of the 1990’s.
The Pines Dog Show Est. 1965
Fire Island has been a haven for many, yet also for our babies. Meaning our pets. Dog’s, cat’s and more make up Fire Island Families. See how we shoed them off…
Find your house…
Before the advent of the drone you had to fly a plane over your destination for a photograph. In the late 90’s into the 2000 this photographer did just that…