Film Screenings
Lights, camera, action! The Long Island Museum invites film lovers of all ages to enjoy an exciting lineup of screenings, from powerful documentaries to crowd-pleasing family films. Through our two signature series, America on Screen and FILM@LIM, discover unforgettable stories, connect with fellow movie enthusiasts, and experience the power of cinema in a unique museum setting.
America on Screen: 250 Years of Stories from the Smithsonian Channel
Join us on select Friday afternoons for a special film series commemorating America’s 250th Anniversary. Enjoy screenings of Smithsonian Channel programs that explore the people, places, and stories that shaped America. Included with museum admission. No registration required. Presented courtesy of the Smithsonian Channel.
Epic Yellowstone: Down the River Wild
July 17 @ 2:00 pm
The Yellowstone is the longest undammed river in the contiguous 48 states, flowing with a wildness that is both violent and vital to the creatures that are drawn to its banks. From Yellowstone Lake, North America’s largest high-elevation body of water, to the Missouri River, follow its nearly 700-mile journey over falls and through canyons into America’s heartland. See how Yellowstone’s bison, otters, coyotes, and thrill-seekers adapt to-and thrive in-these wild, untamed waters.
52 minutes
Coming to America
August 14 @ 2:00 pm
For many immigrants, their first sight of the U.S. is the Statue of Liberty. The iconic structure promises sanctuary, hope, and a fresh start, but they soon learn that America’s arms are not always open. Colorized rare home movies and archival footage reveal the amazing stories of ordinary people who share the same dream. From Caribbean immigrants who settled in Harlem to Italian “radicals” shipped back home to celebrities such as Albert Einstein, see how America changed as immigrants brought new cultures from the margins to the mainstream.
48 minutes
A Star-Spangled Story: Battle for America
September 11 @ 2:00 pm
The Star-Spangled Banner is known by all, treasured for its powerful melody and stirring lyrics. And yet, only about 40% of U.S. citizens know all the words. And even fewer know their meaning. Join us as we travel back to 1814, when Washington D.C. was under British attack during the “Second War of Independence,” and the very bricks and mortar of American democracy were reduced to smoking rubble. We examine the battle that inspired witness Francis Scott Key to immortalize its final moments, then reveal how his poem transformed into an anthem.
51 minutes
The Day We Walked the Moon
October 9 @ 2:00 pm
On July 20 1969, astronaut Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon. Narrated by Mark Strong, The Day We Walked on the Moon tells the story of how he got there through spectacular footage and interviews with key figures in the Apollo 11 mission, including astronaut Michael Collins and iconic Flight Director Gene Kranz. Further interviewees include Professor Brian Cox, Dr Brian May, and key Apollo astronauts Frank Borman and Charlie Duke.
44 minutes
Made in the USA
November 20 @ 2:00 pm
Witness the complicated path to the American Dream, forged by workers in the early 20th century. At the turn of the 20th century, 29 million Americans are working and 40% of them are farmers. Over the decades, factories expand like never before, two world wars speed up technological change, and by the 1950s, American workers have the highest wages and consumer power of any country in the world. This is the story of the men and women who built the American Dream, presented entirely in color through digitally remastered archival footage and home movies.
48 minutes
Small Town Life
December 11 @ 2:00 pm
Small towns are the heart and soul of America. At the turn of the century tightly-knit, communities, embody the pioneer spirit. Small town heroes like Will Rogers and jimmy Stewart capture the nation’s hearts. In reality many are mired in poverty and desperation. As the city’s expand, so the myth of the small town grows and continues to burn brightly in the minds of Americans.
48 minutes
FILM@LIM
LIM and the Port Jefferson Arts Council bring films to our community that touch upon a variety of topics for FREE! Each film screening includes an engaging talk with a guest speaker or a fun activity.
All screenings are held in the LIM’s Gillespie Room located in the Carriage Museum unless otherwise noted. Space is limited so please register to reserve your spot.
New Wave Dare to Be Different (2017)
June 18 @ 7:00 pm
Discover how WLIR, a small Long Island radio station, helped revolutionize American radio by introducing New Wave and post-punk music to U.S. audiences. The documentary centers on WLIR, a now-defunct FM station that began broadcasting in 1959, initially featuring showtunes and jazz-pop before shifting to Southern and progressive rock in the 1970s; its most groundbreaking evolution came in 1982, when it became a pioneer in championing New Wave and post-punk long before the genres went mainstream. Through its bold, independent programming, WLIR introduced American listeners to artists like U2, Talking Heads, Depeche Mode, Blondie, Duran Duran, Tears for Fears, The Clash, and The Cure well before they became global sensations, defying record label pressures to spotlight emerging European acts and helping shape the New Wave movement in America. Featuring interviews with Program Director Denis McNamara, station staff, and influential musicians—many of whom express deep gratitude for WLIR’s role in their success—the film also explores the technological and creative innovations that defined the era, particularly the rise of synthesizers and electronic instrumentation as transformative forces in modern music.
SPECIAL GUEST!
Following the screening, join us for a fascinating talk with Larry “The Duck” Dunn, one of the original DJs at WLIR and current DJ on Sirius XM 1st Wave!
Hamilton (2020) – SPECIAL OUTDOOR SCREENING!
July 2 @ 8:00 pm
Celebrate America at 250 with a special outdoor screening of the Tony-winning musical Hamilton, by Lin-Manuel Miranda, about Founding Father Alexander Hamilton’s rivalry with Aaron Burr.
8:00 PM – Pre Film Fun: U.S. History Family Trivia Game: Join us before the screening of Hamilton to travel through time and test your knowledge of famous figures, pivotal moments, and surprising stories that shaped our nation. Whether you’re a history buff or just in it for the laughs, it’s a great time to learn, play, and connect together. Prizes, bragging rights, and plenty of patriotic spirit included!
The film will start at dusk on the Carriage Museum lawn. Bring your blanket and be dazzled by this energetic historical musical under the stars!
Rain date is July 9th.
Presented in collaboration with the Port Jefferson Arts Council.
