Sights and Sounds Since 1987 we have been interviewing local tradition bearers and community historians to understand how the South Shore has changed over time. Long Island Traditions has an extensive archive of over 400 taped interviews that are available to researchers at the LI Studies Institute. We hope you enjoy listening to these revealing […]
South Shore Portal Long Island’s South Shore is one of the oldest historic regions in the United States, from the pre-contact period when Native Americans harvested shellfish and finfish for survival, to the arrival of European settlers beginning in the 1500s. Over the past 300 years it has grown from a rural economy to a […]
Honoring Traditions Mission: Long Island Traditions recognizes persons and organizations that are active in preserving their cultural traditions learned within their families and communities, and passing them down to the next generation and in educating the public. The Honoring Traditions program includes performances and slide shows that showcase their talents. The program takes place in different […]
Historic Preservation Long Island Traditions focuses on traditional and vernacular architecture, sites and structures built by ordinary individuals for their own needs or those of their community. We work on behalf of those sites that are in danger of demolition, as well as working with communities to preserve their historic past. Long Island Traditions has […]
Surveys & Research Long Island Traditions uses oral interviews, photography, participant observation, historical research and artifact analysis to document cultural traditions passed down within families and communities. Rather than responding to a specific situation, Long Island Traditions’ research projects focus on a particular tradition, such as a kind of music or craft, that is part […]
Read this Newsday article about a Rockville Centre Historic House. This home is part of our Historic and Cultural Resource Survey of Rockville Centre, which can be viewed here.
The Elder Statesmen: African American Gospel Long Island has one of the most complex music traditions: African American gospel music. The roots stem from the many regional denominations of African American churches. According to African American historian Linda Day, the A.M.E. Zion church was founded in New York by free blacks and has a strong presence […]
Mala Desai: Odissi Indian Dance Teacher Mala Desai is a master teacher and practitioner of the Odissi form of Indian Dance. Born in New Delhi, she spent a significant portion of her life there, but her family traveled a lot because her father worked for the Indian railway. Mala, like other young Indian girls, started […]
Mission Long Island Traditions documents local architecture, from beach bungalows and bay houses to garden apartments and farm buildings. As fishermen and farmers disappear, we fight for the preservation of Long Island’s contemporary maritime and farming culture throughout the region. To recognize and pay tribute to Long Island’s diverse ethnic cultures, we support Irish stepdance, […]
In the News Register now! Retirement Party for Nancy Solomon on May 15, 2024 Join us as we bid farewell and celebrate Nancy Solomon’s retirement from Long Island Traditions! Register now for her retirement party at Otto’s Sea Grill in Freeport on May 15, 2024 at 6 pm. Buy Tickets here! Events May 9, 2024 […]