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Long Island is much more than a scenic escape — it’s a long-time hub of history and entertainment! From legendary musicians to hit TV shows and films, the island’s history has left its mark in unexpected ways. Whether you’re an entertainment lover, a history buff, or just enjoy a good fun fact, these Long Island connections might surprise you!
1. AMC series TURN based on real Long Island events
TURN: Washington’s Spies is an AMC historical drama series that aired from 2014 to 2017, based on Alexander Rose’s book Washington’s Spies: The Story of America’s First Spy Ring. The show follows the Culper Ring, a secret spy network that operated during the American Revolution to provide intelligence to George Washington. The Culper Ring was primarily based in Setauket, making the area a critical hub for espionage against the British. Today, visitors can explore Long Island’s deep Revolutionary War history through sites like the Three Village Historical Society, Raynham Hall, the Brewster House, and more.
Insider Scoop – 2026 will mark the 250th anniversary of the Revolutionary War and the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Stay up to date here on all information, events, and activities relating to the commemoration of the anniversary on Long Island.
2. 1915 Silent Film About Lincoln Rediscovered in Greenport
A film student working as an intern at Historic Film Stock Footage Archive in Greenport, which preserves old film and works with filmmakers who may need it, recently recovered The Heart of Lincoln, a lost 1915 feature-length silent film directed by and starring Francis Ford. The film follows Lincoln and his leadership through the Civil War.
3. Music’s Legacy on Long Island
From the hometowns of Billy Joel and Mariah Carey to the gateway of fame for groups like U2, Long Island has helped produce some of the most iconic musicians of all time. The island’s music scene flourished in the 70s through the 90s. Founded in 1959, Long Island’s well known WLIR radio station was integral to this music revolution by becoming the first radio station in the country to play U2, Duran Duran, Madonna, George Michael, Men at Work, Prince, and more. The station's "Dare to Be Different" slogan was a call to embrace new wave, punk, and progressive rock, making Long Island a hotspot for emerging talent.
4. The Great Gatsby Turns 100 in 2025
Did you know that F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is set and inspired by Long Island? As we approach the 100th anniversary of its publication in April 2025, it’s a perfect time to reflect on how this literary masterpiece captures the glamour, excess, and mystery of the island’s Gold Coast. Gatsby's opulent parties and dramatic lifestyle were inspired by the mansions built in the early 1900s on LI’s north shore, the Gold Coast. Today you can visit many of the mansions that inspired the story for tours, ride along a Gatsby-themed boat tour, or stay overnight at a mansion like Oheka Castle.
5. Montauk: The Stranger Things Connection
Long Island’s Montauk is home to one of the most mysterious sites in America – an abandoned military base known as “Camp Hero.” With its eerie location and secretive past, Camp Hero is the perfect setting for conspiracy theories ranging from government experiments to mind control in the 1930s and 1940s. Now a State Park, the base even inspired Netflix’s hit series Stranger Things, where paranormal and sci-fi events take place in a similarly ominous setting. During WWII the base included the façade of a while coastal village (a fake church, fake houses, etc.) to disguise the radar equipment, artillery, and military supplies from enemies.
6. Jaws’ Quint Was Based on a Real Montauk Fisherman
The iconic character of Quint from Jaws is actually based on a real-life fisherman, Frank Mundus. Mundus made history in 1964 when he caught a 17-foot great white shark weighing in at 3,427 pounds off the shore of Montauk – a record that still stands today for the largest fish ever caught on rod and reel. Frank Mundus was a legend in the fishing world, and his story became part of Hollywood history thanks to Jaws.
Insider Scoop – Steven Spielberg’s famous film Jaws will celebrate its 50th anniversary this June. A documentary detailing the film’s production and the writing of the original novel is set to be released around the anniversary.
7. Shelter Island and the Oppenheimer Connection
Shelter Island’s historic Ram’s Head Inn isn’t just known for its gorgeous views – it’s also where, in June 1947, 24 of the brightest minds in physics gathered for a historic meeting known as The Conference on the Foundations of Quantum Mechanics, or The Shelter Island Conference. While not depicted in the recent popular movie Oppenheimer, this historic conference caught the attention of many history buffs around the movie’s release. The meeting, led by J. Robert Oppenheimer, was seen then as the first major opportunity since the Manhattan Project for scientific leaders in the U.S. to gather after the war and discuss the future of atomic energy. It was at this meeting, which was deemed by attendees as the most successful scientific meeting they had ever attended, that Oppenheimer promoted the sharing of knowledge to encourage cooperation across nations, especially when it came to nuclear research. The landmark event is commemorated in the Inn’s lobby with a scroll and plaque.
8. The Amityville Horror House
One of the most chilling stories ever told, the Amityville Horror, has its roots on Long Island. In 1974, the DeFeo family was tragically murdered in their home, which led to a series of paranormal events for the Lutz family, who moved into the house afterward. The infamous house became the subject of books, movies, and documentaries, and remains a point of fascination for anyone intrigued by the supernatural.
