Local History Comes to Life for Students Through Long Island 250 Passport Book

Students at Greenport Elementary School receive passport book during delivery event, June 17, 2026.

LONG ISLAND, NY  (June 18, 2026) –  Discover Long Island (DLI), the region’s only accredited destination marketing organization, has fueled a new educational initiative surrounding the purchase and distribution of the official Long Island 250 Passport Book: Long Island’s Path to Independence to underserved school districts across the region in recognition of Long Island’s deep-rooted role in American history and the nation’s anniversary.

“This initiative reflects Discover Long Island’s commitment to investing in the communities and stories that make our region so special,” said Sharon Wyman, Discover Long Island COO. “As we commemorate America’s 250th anniversary, we have an opportunity not only to celebrate Long Island’s remarkable contributions to our nation’s history, but also to ensure that local students can experience and connect with that legacy firsthand. By placing these passport books in underserved school districts, we are helping to foster community pride, encourage exploration of our historic sites and cultural attractions, and inspire young residents to become ambassadors for the place they call home. Tourism begins with a sense of place, and we believe every student should have the opportunity to discover the rich history in their own backyard.”

“The Long Island 250 Passport Book was designed to connect residents and visitors alike to the people, places, and stories that shaped our nation,” said Suffolk County Executive, Ed Romaine. “This move to expand the reach into our school districts ensures that the next generation can engage directly with our region’s history and understand Suffolk County’s vital role in America’s journey.”

Released by Suffolk County, the high-quality paperback passport book highlights historic sites, cultural landmarks, and immersive activities connected to Long Island’s Revolutionary-era history and the broader story of America’s founding. Discover Long Island has worked closely with Suffolk County throughout the development of the passport book and the broader LI 250 initiative, supporting planning meetings, ideation, promotions, and anniversary-related events leading up to this milestone year.

DLI purchased more than 2,000 books and coordinated distribution to select school districts identified as having limited access to experiential history resources. Working in collaboration with Timothy Eagen, President of the Suffolk County School Superintendents Association, Discover Long Island helped determine which schools would most benefit from incorporating the passport book into classroom learning. Using New York State Education Department data on economic disadvantage, Suffolk County school districts were ranked by the percentage of economically disadvantaged students, and the top 25% of districts were invited to participate. Eligible districts were then given the opportunity to request passport books through an online application process, with books distributed to those that elected to take part. Districts now receiving the passport books include Central Islip, Longwood, Bay Shore, North Babylon, Greenport, Brentwood, Southampton, Copiague, and South Country. Suffolk County Executive Romaine joined the DLI team this week during the first school delivery in Greenport, and the remaining books will be hand delivered to schools by the DLI team over the next week.

“As we approach the 250^th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, this resource gives our students a tangible way to explore local history,” said Timothy Eagen. “The passport format encourages hands-on discovery, and it opens the door for meaningful discussions about Suffolk County’s place in the American story. We are grateful for this county-wide effort to support our students’ learning.”

The Long Island 250 Passport Book complements a year-long slate of events, educational programming, and tourism initiatives marking the nation’s 250th anniversary, while reinforcing Discover Long Island’s mission to celebrate the region’s heritage, foster community partnerships, and ensure inclusive access to Long Island’s cultural assets.

For more information on Discover Long Island’s involvement in Long Island 250 initiatives and events, visit www.discoverlongisland.com/longisland250/.

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ABOUT DISCOVER LONG ISLAND:

Discover Long Island is the region’s official destination marketing and leadership organization charged with furthering the destination’s thriving visitor economy, which saw recent record-breaking highs of $7.9 billion in visitor spending. The organization ensures Long Island’s coveted quality of life, thriving industries, and dynamic destination offerings are promoted on a global level, furthering economic development, and benefiting residents and businesses throughout the region.  Awarded “Best Social Media” in the nation by the US Travel Association, the organization produces engaging content featuring local businesses and attractions garnering upwards of 10 million views.  Additionally, the organization hosts a popular YouTube series, Long Island TV, as well as the Long Island Tea podcast.  To learn more, please call 631-951-3900 or visit www.DiscoverLongIsland.com.