The Mission of The Historical Society of Islip Hamlet is to collect, catalogue, preserve, display and educate about the rich and diverse history of this unique south shore community. Please explore our site and feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.

The Historical Society of Islip Hamlet was formed in 1992 with the mission to collect, catalogue, preserve and display the rich and diverse history of this unique south shore community. In 1993, The Society was granted a provisional charter by the New York State Board of Regents. This chartered needs to be renewed every 5 years.  The Board of Regents also recognized the Society’s Collection Management Policy. This policy allows the Society to offer tax deductions to individuals donating items to the Society although the Society nor its officers are appraisers. This policy established the ethical and fiduciary obligations of the Society’s officers to ensure that the collection will be maintained in accordance with the interest of the public trust.

In 2010 the Society acquired space in a climate-controlled facility and is now able to collect artifacts/photographs.  All donations are catalogued and documented with appropriate paperwork done on each donation. The Society’s goal is to eventually secure a building to house the Society for the purposes of a museum and a permanent charter.  Each year, for several months, the Society uses the History Room at Brookwood Hall to host an exhibit from its collection.

The Society holds 2 fundraisers a year; an annual Garden Walk - "Secret Gardens of Islip" in late June and the Holiday House Tour the first week in December.  There are also 4 programs a year that are free and open to the public.