Archives
Jay Hyde Crawford Home Est.1969
Jay Hyde Crawford was a fashion Illustrator most famous for his design for department store Bonwit Teller. A simple bouquet of violets created in 25 minutes according to him…
Pines People- Maia Helles 1916-2016.
Some residents of the Pines go unnoticed, and they like it that way. Maia Helles was one. Her home is one of the original homes built in the 1950’s, and remains so. She quietly passed in 2016, but left the film in this post by Julia Warr that exemplifies her life and philosophy…
Art history- Robert de Michiell
Artist Robert de Michiell captured the heart and soul of the Pines he loved…
Our Pines Party 60th Anniversary 2013 Idea…
In 2013 we were celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the Pines community being established. As an historical organization we thought we would throw our hat in the ring for concepts and ideas about how we could celebrate this great anniversary with a Pines Party concept…
Fashion history- Richard Avedon comes to Fire Island 1946.
Photographer Richard Avedon and his young wife, Doe, had no idea what they were getting into when they agreed to take a beach-house share in the summer of 1946 with his boss at Harper’s Bazaar, Lillian Bassman, and her husband, photographer Paul Himmel, in Cherry Grove…
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 4th of July Boat decorating contest. The Aquaminium…
The Annual Boat Decorating Contest at the Invasion is tradition. Go big or go home. The Aquaminium went big…
Fashions of the Pines 1960’s
Fashion has always been a part of Pines history. Noted designers like Halston, Angelo Donghia, Calvin Klein, Perry Ellis and more have either visited or made a home here. It was natural for a Fashion Show to become a community event…
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.
Art history- Felice Picano
Like many in the Arts lives were touched by Fire Island and inspired. Felice Picano is the author of more than thirty books of poetry, fiction, memoirs, nonfiction, and plays who spent time here and reflected on it in his work.
Fire Island Celebrity history- Colleen Dewhurst
Celebrities have always been drawn to the Pines as it gave them the anonymity they craved. However some like actress Colleen Dewhurst enjoyed the attention…
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.
Fire Island Celebrity history- Madonna
1989. The end of the 80’s brings Madonna to Fire Island Pines to visit her brother Christopher Ciccone. She brings some friends along for the ride…
Fire Island Pines People- Will Seagers/Matt Harper
Will Seagers has a colorful history in the Pines from waiting tables at the Blue Whale to the hot & heavy action in between shifts…
Dancing on the Bay Est. 1995.
During the 4th of July weekend in 1995 the first “Dancing on the Bay” was held at the Bayfront home of Pines resident Richard Winger. The party/benefit was held to raise funds for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual,Transgender Community Center…
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.
Art History- John Laub
Artist John Laub was a prolific artist who left a legacy of art that relected the era in the Pines.