Long Island Traditions, in collaboration with City Lore and the Village of Freeport, installed Freeport Waters,, a permanent trail of artful signage that highlights the personal stories, histories, and traditions of Woodcleft Canal, also known as the Nautical Mile. Woodcleft Canal is a major historic working waterfront corridor that is the site of various historic buildings including the Freeport Point Shipyard, the Maresca Boatyard, Two Cousins fish market, historic bungalows that were the homes of well-known fishermen and baymen, and scenic overlooks of Freeport Bay in the Town of Hempstead. Woodcleft Canal once sported several hotels frequented by actors and musicians during the 1920s. Noted celebrities included Guy Lombardo and Bill McCoy of rum runners’ fame.
Each marker includes embedded historic and contemporary photographs, quotes from maritime tradition bearers, and text and web links that include audio/video multimedia productions. The markers include:
♦ Bay Houses (located at Seabreeze Park)
♦ Rum Runners (by the Captain Lou fleet)
♦ Boat Builders (by Rachel’s Waterside Restaurant)
♦ Lore and Legends of the Mile (Two Cousins
Fish Market)
View the Freeport Waters playlist here:
The installation opened in September 2016. The exhibit curator is Nancy Solomon of Long Island Traditions, with assistance from City Lore. The installation designer is Paul Bentel of Bentel & Bentel. Funding is provided by the NY State Council on the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Park Service and the NY Council for the Humanities.
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