The Long Island Museum Presents Growing Up on Long Island Now through October 25, 2009

Opening February 14 and running through October 25 the Long Island Museum will present Growing Up on Long Island, an entertaining thrill ride through the past 200 years of childhood across the region.   Featuring over 140 paintings, photographs, and artifacts – including christening gowns, a prom dress, school ephemera, games and toys – the exhibition explores Long Island’s transitions from 19th century rural childhoods to the suburban baby boom and beyond.  Jerry Seinfeld’s report card, Walt Whitman’s school-teaching desk, and a stunning Quinceañera dress from Riverhead are just a few of the great things assembled for Growing Up. What was your favorite toy?  How did you get to school?  When did you grow up? (or did you?)    These dinner table topics enter the exhibition through videotaped interviews between Long Island grandparents and their grandchildren.  The interviews are being collected with Middle Country Public Library, in nearby Centereach, as part of the Institute of Museums and Library Services-funded "Age in America" project.   Fun activities for the whole family include a place for visitors to guess the identity of celebrities from Long Island through their yearbook photos; historic reproduction clothing for children (and Mom and Dad) to prance around in; and a 1950 rifle range arcade game from Nunley’s Amusement Park that still works!  Kids of all ages will have a blast in Growing Up on Long Island.

This exhibit sponsored by: