Longwood Alliance Receives Gardiner Foundation Grant for Two New Books that Map Local History, Offer Strolls Down Memory Lane in Coram and Middle Island
Long Island history lovers have two new literary treats this spring, thanks to a generous grant from The Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation of New York. They are CORAM: Farms, Families & Fortunes and MIDDLE ISLAND: Lands, Lanes & Legacies.
Local history experts Donald Bayles and Paul Infranco have re-teamed to trace the history of these hamlets on eastern Long Island from their early European settlers through the 21st century. The pair last collaborated on The History of Camp Upton for its 100th anniversary in 2017, also funded by a Gardiner Foundation grant.
The new books took more than two years to complete. Each book is a unique combination of maps, anecdotes, family genealogies, land ownership and historic photos, offering a “Then and Now” perspective for modern day readers.
“We decided to talk about a Century of Change. Working with Mr. Bayles is an absolute pleasure,” said Paul Infranco about his co-author. “You’re working with someone who knew the people that we talk about and who saw the changes we talk about.” Bayles also drew many of the books’ maps. He grew up in Middle Island, then lived in Coram. Don will turn 100 later this year!
Ever wonder what happened to the big farm that used to be where the shopping center now stands? Was there really a time when there wasn’t so much traffic — or even cars – on our main streets? Look inside, and let Messrs. Bayles and Infranco show you what yesterday looked like.
The 180 page Coram book premiered at the Davis Town Meeting House Society’s annual Victorian Tea on Saturday, April 15th. Proceeds from this book will benefit further restoration of the historic Davis House, former seat of Brookhaven Town government and now a local treasure. Paul Infranco discussed this book at the Society’s May 1, 2023 meeting at 7pm at the old Coram Fire House, 303 Middle Country Road in Coram.
The Middle Island book will debut at Longwood Day from 9am-2pm on Saturday, May 13, 2023 at Longwood High School, 100 Longwood Road in Middle Island. Sales from the 190 page volume will be used by The Longwood Alliance for projects at Bartlett Pond Park, which features the 1835 school house, Longwood Victory Community Garden and a series of veterans monuments. The book will also be a featured presentation at the July 20th Middle Island Civic Association meeting at the Middle Island Fire Dept at 7pm.
“So many people love local history,” said Longwood Alliance publisher Gail Lynch-Bailey. “And we love the Gardiner Foundation for making it possible for us to share it in the form of these new books.”
Both books are available via mail order from The Longwood Alliance, PO Box 24, Middle Island, NY 11953. Each is priced at $20, plus $5 shipping. For more information, contact Gailybaily@aol.com or Pinfranco@aol.com or visit
www.longwoodalliance.com
Established in 1987, the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation primarily supports the study of Long Island history. Robert David Lion Gardiner was, until his death in August 2005, the 16th Lord of the Manor of Gardiner’s Island, NY. The Gardiner family and their descendants have owned Gardiner’s Island since 1639, obtained as part of a royal grant from King Charles I of England. The Foundation is inspired by Robert David Lion Gardiner’s personal passion for New York history. To better appreciate the wonderful range of projects supported by The Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation, please visit
www.rdlgfoundation.org.
In fulfillment of its mission — Celebrating Our Community Pride: Illuminating Our Past, Enhancing Our Present, Insuring Our Future, and Thanking Every Hometown Hero — The Longwood Alliance conducts annual ceremonies on Memorial Day, Gold Star Families Day, Veterans Day and Pearl Harbor Day at Bartlett Pond Park. It publishes local history books in conjunction with the Longwood Society for Historic Preservation, and it facilitates the ‘Take Back 25’ Initiative for Middle Country Road.
Special thanks to Brendan Bailey for his cover designs.
Longwood Community Members and Long Island History Buffs:
LOCAL HISTORY BOOKS for SALE!
Published by The Longwood Alliance and Longwood Society for Historical Preservation
These books make wonderful gifts — for the Holidays, a Birthday, Retirement, or
Anniversary — perfect for the person who already has everything!
All proceeds used for our additional History & Veterans projects and publications
Make Checks payable to The Longwood Alliance and mail to PO Box 24, Middle Island, NY 11953
Early Settlers of Longwood $15
Civil War Letters of the Bayles Bros. $15
A Lifetime in Middle Island $15
The History of Camp Upton $15,
made possible via a grant from The Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation
Thomas R. Bayles Bio & Writings $20,
made possible via a grant from The Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation
Longwood WWII Honor Roll $10
Longwood GWOT Honor Roll $10
Please add $5 for shipping/handling to your total.
Download order form here:
History Books Sales Flyer
Several local history books are available, including our two 2017 publications, The History of Camp Upton ($15) and The Biography and Collected Writings of Thomas R. Bayles ($20). Each of these books was made possible by a grant from The Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation. http://www.rdlgfoundation.org/
To purchase either book, send a check payable to The Longwood Alliance, PO Box 24, Middle Island, NY 11953. Please include an additional $5 for shipping and handling, along with your preferred shipping address. We also have copies of The Civil War Letters, A Lifetime in Middle Island and Early Settlers of Longwood and various Veterans Honor Roll Biographies. All books are available for in-person purchase at our annual Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Pearl Harbor Day ceremonies at Bartlett Pond Park, as well as at Longwood Day, the Coram Davis House events and The Brookhaven Town Fair at Longwood Estate. Questions? Contact Gailybaily@aol.com or Pinfranco@aol.com
Alliance Publishes New Camp Upton Book with Gardiner Grant
August 23, 2017
For Immediate Release:
The Longwood Alliance is proud to announce the publication of the first of two local history books made possible by a grant from The Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation. http://www.rdlgfoundation.org/ “The History of Camp Upton: World War I through World War II” by Donald Bayles and Paul Infranco is now available for purchase. This 176 page volume is full of interesting photos and information about the amazing rise of Camp Upton in 1917 and the essential role it played in both World Wars. . Book sale proceeds will benefit The Alliance’s member group, the Longwood Society for Historic Preservation. Hope to see many of our local history lovers at these events!
New Bayles Publication Joins Camp Upton Thanks to Gardiner Grant
September 7, 2017
For Immediate Release
The Longwood Alliance is proud to announce the publication of the second of two local history books made possible by a grant from The Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation. http://www.rdlgfoundation.org/“The Biography and Collected Writings of Thomas R. Bayles: Railroad Agent, Farmer and Historian, 1895- 1977,” by Donald Bayles, is now available for purchase for $20. This is a large, 715 page book, filled with hundreds of local history articles Mr. Bayles wrote for his decades-long “Footnotes to Long Island History” newspaper column. The Longwood Alliance’s other new book, “The History of Camp Upton: World War I through World War II,” by Donald Bayles and Paul Infranco, is also still available for purchase for $15. This 176 page volume is full of interesting photos and information about the amazing rise of Camp Upton in 1917 and the essential role it played in both World Wars.
