Home > Suffolk County Culture & History > History & Heritage > Whaling & Maritime Maritime and whaling history in Suffolk County dates back to original Native American inhabitants and continued on into the 18th and 19th centuries when settlers here made their livings and sometimes their fortunes from the bounty of the sea.

While whaling is a long gone part of life here, several museums maintain poignant exhibits that reflect on the history and practice of this industry and how it affected life during earlier times.

See whaling history come alive through exhibits and artifacts, including a fully-equipped 19th century whale boat, scrimshaw, whaling artifacts, ship captain's portraits, nautical memorabilia and scrimshaw. See a painting that Herman Melville commented was one of the finest representations of the whaling industry he'd ever seen. Long Island whaling museums tastefully and thoughtfully recall this era in time.

Or visit a maritime museum, including changing boating and marine exhibits, as well as a local small craft collection and a 19th century oystering vessel.

Also in Suffolk County explore lighthouses, American Revolutionary War history, science and aviation museums and more.

Page 1 of 1    <<Previous 1   Next>>    Record 1 to 10 of 10  Back to Search Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum 301 Main Street Route 25A / Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724 / 631 367-3418 www.cshwhalingmuseum.org A charming museum for families to discover Long Island's seafaring past in a picturesque village of galleries, boutiques and historic houses. Featured are New York's only fully equipped 19th century w >More The Custom House Main Street and Garden Street / Sag Harbor, NY 11963 / 631 692-4664 The Custom House was owned by Sag Harbor’s first United States Custom Master, Henry Packer Dering.  The daily activities of Dering, his wife and nine children are vividly portrayed in the room setting >More East End Seaport Museum 3rd Street and Wiggins Street / Greenport, NY 11944 / 631 477-2100 www.eastendseaport.org Maritime Museum representing the heritage of the East End of Long Island, maintenance of Long Beach Bar Light (Bug light) and the Old Village Blacksmith shop in Greenport. >More Fire Island Lighthouse Robert Moses State Park Field # 5 / Fire Island, NY 11770 / 631 661-4876 Located in Fire Island National Seashore just east of Robert Moses State Park. Contact the Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society. Walk the scenic boardwalk, climb to the top of the tower, visit >More Horton Point Lighthouse Lighthouse Road / Southold, NY 11971 / 631 765-5500 Open to public weekends during the Summer. >More Long Island Maritime Museum 86 West Avenue / West Sayville, NY 11796 / 631 HISTORY www.limaritime.org Regional museum covering Long Island's Maritime History. 14 acre site includes 5 historic buildings and floating exhibits. Annual events, include seafood festival and antique and classic show. >More Maritime Explorium 101 East Broadway / Port Jefferson, NY 11777 / 631 331-3277 Come to the Children's Maritime Museum where children can explore the Working Waterfront. Build a bridge, engineer a water wheel, operate a water taxi, bail a boat and much more. Visit us to see our >More Mather House Museum 115 Prospect Street / Port Jefferson, NY 11777 / 631 473-2665 Until World War 1, Port Jefferson was shipbuilding center and John Mather a noted builder. Tour his 19th century home, a marine barn and toolshed with ship artifacts on display. Visit the 19th centu >More Montauk Point Lighthouse Museum 2000 Montauk Highway / Montauk, NY 11954 / 631 668-2544 www.montauklighthouse.com National Maritime Historic Landmark. Museum, tower and gift shop. Tours of 20 or more are welcomed all year. Admission price includes museum, gift shop and tower climb as well as a 28 minute video. Th >More Sag Harbor Whaling & Historical Museum 200 Main Street / Sag Harbor, NY 11963 / 631 725-0770 www.sagharborwhalingmuseum.org Greek revival period house museum featuring whaling artifacts, ship Captains potraits nautical memorabilia and scrimshaw. >More Page 1 of 1    <<Previous 1   Next>>    Record 1 to 10 of 10  Back to Search