Long Island Museums and Culture

The idea for the Long Island Children’s Museum started as a dinner conversation in 1989 between a group of Long Island business people, artists and educators—parents all. Why, they wondered, didn’t Long Island have the type of institution they visited often on their family travels across the country? That conversation led to a commitment to create for the community an exciting place that would stimulate a child’s natural curiosity and educate them through exploration and play.

Discover a hidden gem that brings together history, science, and wonder under one iconic roof. The Vanderbilt Museum's stunning mansion, world-class collections of marine life and natural artifacts, and working planetarium offer the perfect escape during winter months—explore the Gilded Age opulence, marvel at rare specimens from around the globe, and lose yourself in the cosmos. Set on beautiful grounds that feel like your own private sanctuary, this is where Long Island's most fascinating stories come to life.

The oldest lighthouse in New York State. The Lighthouse was authorized by the Second Congress, under President George Washington in 1792. Construction began on June 7, 1796 and was completed on November 5, 1796. This historic landmark has been part of Long Island's land and seascape for over 200 years and still serves as an active aid to navigation.

Wander through galleries that trace the threads of American culture and regional identity, especially rewarding during winter months when the quiet halls invite deeper reflection. This institution earned its place within the Smithsonian Affiliations network back in 2006, joining a selective circle of cultural centers across the country. That partnership opens doors to expansive collections and learning materials from the Smithsonian itself, creating bridges between local stories and national scholarship through collaborative exhibitions and community programs.

"To preserve Long Island's rich maritime history and heritage for educational purposes."

With hangars built and designed during World War II, filled with operational warplanes from that historic era and staffed with volunteers in authentic period flight gear, the American Airpower Museum brings to cost effective life powerful images from another era. <br> It's squadron of flight ready aircraft include a B-17 Flying Fortress in the markings of the famous Memphis Belle, a twin engine Mitchell bomber, the famous P-40 Warhawk, with its tiger mouth markings and more. The museum also offers a control tower retrofitted to the 1940's, a hangar whose design is reminiscent of Pearl Harbor on the eve of war and access to a fleet of vintage automobiles and trucks that add to the ambiance of this vivid chapter of American history. <br> The museum sits five minutes south of the Long Island Expressway at Republic Airport, which is a state owned general aviation airport. It is minutes from the Farmingdale Long Island Railroad station. And because of its airport location it is the only historic aircraft collection in the region that can regularly return to the air, demonstrating the power and stunning beauty of aircraft designed for war. <br> As a location for your visual needs the American Airpower Museum is Unique. Cost effective. Local. Cooperative. Historic. Available. Compelling. If you need air power call us. Fees are a tax deductible donation.