By Erica Jackson
(See Bio and photo of each honoree on the people in the news pg.)
Annually, for the past seven years, the Smithtown Historical Society has honored three community members for their devoted dedication to the non-profit’s mission of keeping Smithtown’s history alive. This year is no different.
On Thursday, October 28 the historical society will be honoring Gail Hessel, Kathleen Albrecht and Brad Harris at its annual Heritage Ball at the Watermill for their “commitment to making the historical society and the community better places.”
Gail Hessel, according to Kiernan Lannon, director of the historical society, will be honored with the society’s Partnership in History Award. Her work in the Kings Park community has earned her the award, said Lannon. “She has promoted us to no end in Kings Park. Anyone who knows who we are in Kings Park knows of us because of Gail,” he said.
Hessel, said Lannon has not only participated at the Kings Park Heritage Museum, but in other Kings Park organizations, such as the Nissequogue River Foundation. She is always, said Lannon, aiming to promote the Smithtown Historical Society.
Hessel is a member of the Smithtown Historical Society’s board of directors and serves as chair of the society’s collections committee. She is also chair of the society’s Italian Heritage night.
Kathleen Albrecht will be receiving the Rockwell Award for her “commitment to the historical society,” said Lannon. Without Albrecht, the society’s annual heritage country fair would not be as successful as it is. Lannon said,” That event is our most important in terms of public programming and Cathy has been instrumental in turning it from a small fair to a large, well attended event.”
Albrecht is also, aside from sitting as a member of the historical society’s board of directors, involved in a number of other local organizations, including the Elks Lodge, the Smithtown Chamber of Commerce and the Smithtown Republican Club, where she constantly promotes the Smithtown Historical Society. “She’s always plugging our events and gets people excited about them,” said Lannon. “She is important to the historical society.”
This year’s Anna Blydenburg award is being given to Mr. Smithtown, as he is known around town. For the past 27 years, Brad Harris has been unwavering in his support for the historical society. A board member of the historical society, Harris has been dedicated, giving his time and resources to the success of the historical society. He has written countless books and articles on the town’s history and given numerous lectures. He is a member of the Smithtown Cemetery Association and the Kings Park Heritage Museum.
“In terms of helping us promote our mission, no one has done more than Brad. Anything we ask of Brad, he has come through,” said Lannon.
In addition to the awards, Adam Mildon, a Hauppauge High School senior will be presented with a $1,000 Mildred Smith Scholarship. In receiving the scholarship, Mildon participated in the historical society’s annual essay contest.
This year’s essay asked students: If all of the town’s historical buildings were going to be demolished and only one could be saved, which would you choose to protect? Mildon presented an essay on the St. James General Store. “He wrote about the general store’s place of feeling and the sense of community that it represents,” said Lannon.
Lannon says it is important for the historical society to honor community members for their support because it is community volunteers who drive the historical society’s mission and educational programs.
Working with a $430,000 budget, which is mainly driven by donations, the historical society cares for 14 historical structures in the town, eight, which are deeded to the historical society, and six that are owned by the Town of Smithtown. The historical society provides area students with educational opportunities where they can learn about history hands-on through a variety of programs.
The historical society also has countless historical records and photographs, which Lannon says people frequently ask about. He said, “We have a lot of people coming in doing genealogy research, looking to see if they are related to the Richard Smith family.”
Events are also highly popular. Upcoming events include a fall harvest lecture series, which will be held at the brush barn from November 1 to November 8 at 7:30 p.m.; the historical society will also be hosting a holiday lunch-in on Friday, December 3 at 11:00; and on December 4, the heritage Christmas event will kickoff with a wreath contest and holiday decorations adorning the historical structures at 211 Middle Country Road. The historical society is also working with the Smithtown Rotary Club to present the town’s annual tree lighting on December 5 with a meet and greet with Santa at the brush barn at 5:30.
“We are the gatekeepers of the history and heritage of the town. It is important to remember and learn from the past,” said Lannon.