Friends of Caleb Smith Preserve

By Carole Paquette

There were broad smiles and jovial handshakes all around as nearly 100 people celebrated the official reopening and ribbon-cutting ceremony last December 6^th of the Nature Museum at Caleb Smith State Park Preserve. Located on the first floor of the historic former Club House, the Museum’s new display is a beautiful testament to the wonders of Nature embodied in its surroundings.

Appreciation for the Park Preserve was enthusiastically expressed throughout the celebration.  Ronald Foley, Regional Director of Long Island State Parks, remarked: “Preserves often get lost in the shuffle, and don’t get the play that popular-activity Parks get. The Nature Preserves get the attention from people with special hearts. It has been a long haul to get here – over two years – to reach this success.”

Clarence Ware, the Park Manager, spoke of the project’s ultimate goal to mix history, recreation and environmental enjoyment into one facility. “This is the end of one part of the beginning. Now we are getting ready for the next step. We have 543 acres, including a Historic District of the buildings, which are getting special treatment, and then we ‘throw in the green’,” he said, referring to the environmentally sensitive features of the renovations now underway.   

This day was all about Phase One: the beauty of the newly-painted walls and freshly varnished floors; the fascinating “themed rooms” with their woodsy backdrops, mounted wildlife specimens and interactive exhibits; the newly-stocked gift shop; and the spacious entrance room with its “welcoming exhibit” dominated by the watchful countenance of Indian Chief Wyandanch – portrayed in a terra-cotta bas-relief, now finally back in its rightful place over the beautifully restored fireplace mantel. Adding some historic drama is a freestanding exhibit of a wooden door that had been damaged during a British attack in the 1700s, when a portion of the Museum had been the original home of Caleb Smith.

Throughout the day, visitors toured the Museum, especially enjoying the “themed-rooms” that include:

• The Forest Room, with its red fox and screech owl. This room will soon contain a model of a rotting log set up to reveal the drama and diversity of life within its community of animals that use it for shelter and food.
• The Wetlands Room, with its spotted turtles and cinnamon fern, which is due to include an interactive, computerized, food-chain puzzle, entitled “Who Eats Whom”.
• The Pond Room, with its animal mounts that include a heron, snapping turtle, fish and an interactive software simulation of a video microscope that helps visitors identify the mini-inhabitants of the Preserve’s pond-ecosystem.
• The River Room, with its mounted osprey, brook trout and river otter, also contains another interactive exhibit whereby visitors can take a “virtual ride” on the Nissequogue River and learn about its ecology.

Noting the Museum’s new look Friends President, Peggy Micciche, said: “A couple of years ago, this looked like an old house that needed repair. Now, wow, there’s Chief Wyandanch back in his place over the mantel, and the old door with the slash [supposedly made by a British soldier trying to kill Caleb Smith] on display.” She added, “This also has been a major initiative to fund interactive displays. Three have been completed, and there are four to go.” Ms. Micciche then introduced visitors who were descendents of the Smith family.

During the official program, Mike D’ Agostino, a Friends group Trustee, presented awards to individuals and groups instrumental in the Museum’s completion to date. These included the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation, Inc., which fully funded the interactive exhibit in the entrance room, introducing visitors to the Park Preserve’s opportunities; the family and friends of the late Dr. Herbert Luther who through the Luther Memorial fully funded the Nissequogue River Room’s interactive exhibit; Julia and Paul Elmowsky, Olympus Corporation of the Americas, Ruskin Moscou Faltischek P.C. and Friends of Caleb Smith Preserve providers of the funds for the micro-life exhibit; State Assemblyman Michael J. Fitzpatrick, who was recognized for his support of our efforts to introduce interactive exhibits in the Nature Museum; Jim Metcalfe and Al Jarnow, founders of ProtoZone Inc., and creators of the interactive exhibits; Park Preserve Staff, including Linda Kasten who created much of the artwork; State Regional Environmental Education Director Gary Lawton and his team; and Friends group co-founders Louise and Gordon Hall and Joann and Mike D’Agostino.

By Carole Paquette

It was Saturday, October 3, the day of the Eighth Annual Nissequogue River Canoe Drift, benefiting the interactive Museum at Caleb Smith State Park Preserve. The barbecue was heating up (as was the band), while volunteers and park personnel moved heavy picnic tables under the big red and white tent. They pinned down the bright green tablecloths, and took deep breaths when they rested. Their disappointment seemed to ebb, as they prepared to face a canoe-less Canoe Drift.

The canoe/kayak portion of the event had been cancelled the night before, as the result of a rainy forecast. “It was a tough decision,” said event organizer and Friends group president, Peggy Micchiche, “but the thought of people out on the river with a forecast of possible lightning was not good.” Those who had signed up for the Canoe Drift were given the signature T-shirts and a voucher for a free canoe trip on the river for whenever they wanted to go, either spring or fall, by Nissequogue River Canoe Rentals.

The barbecue, which typically awaits paddlers at the end of the Drift (when docked at Nissequogue River State Park), was still on, albeit now being served at Caleb Smith State Park Preserve. Those who chose to attend the barbecue certainly did not show any disappointment! Catered by Johnny Subside, the great assortment of hot dogs, sausages, cheeseburgers, and accompanying salads and pasta, were too tasty for anyone to remain sad for long. People wandered about the Park, listened to lively band music and visited with one another. When the sun finally came out, they laughed and shook their heads… you just don’t fool with Mother Nature, she fools you!

The Blue Roots Band played on, and the raffle prizes were awarded to all winners. Watermelon completed the meal, as Peggy thanked the event’s co-sponsors: Smithtown Country Kitchen, Branch Financial Services, EGM Construction Corp., Kathy and Dave Albrecht, Mike and Joanne D’Agostino, NYS/LI Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, North Shore Light Tackle Charters, Touch of Class Car Wash and Detail Center, Smithtown Chiropractic Dr. David A. Wallman, Hirsch Fuels Inc., Fidelity Investments and Alternative Power and Light.

We have developed our new site to be more interactive and offer more up-to-date information about the preserve and our activities.  Let us know what you think!