By Chris Biancaniello
Bradley Harris, or a/k/a Mr. Harris if you grew up in Commack and he was your high school history teacher, or a/k/a Councilman Harris who served 12 years on Smithtown’s Town Board between 1980 and 1992 or a/k/a Brad Harris who has been Smithtown’s Town Historian since 1978, has been a key player in Smithtown for over 34 years.
Brad Harris’ path hasn’t always been a clear one. His father was a teacher whose job promotions resulted in the family being relocated many times. Mr. Harris’ childhood included stops in Vermont, Indiana, Connecticut, and finally Long Island graduating from Manhasset High School. Brad spent two years at Vermont’s Middlebury College having what he called, “a rather undistinguished career”. He then joined the air force where he became a medic and altitude sickness instructor or “Physiological Training Technician”. His role was the to train pilots and crewmembers to be alert to the dangers of altitude sickness. His duties included exposing the crew and himself to various pressures in order to simulate specific altitudes so the crew would experience and learn the effects of low oxygen at these altitudes.
After spending four years in the air force serving in both Japan and Germany, he decided to come back to Long Island and go back to college. He graduated from CW Post at Long Island University. He taught Global Studies, Anthropology and LI History in the Commack School District for nearly 30 years, retiring in 1999. During this time Harris, a Democrat, was elected as a Town Councilman for the Town of Smithtown. In 1978, fellow Democrat and Supervisor Patrick Vecchio appointed Brad Town Historian.
Looking back on it now, Mr. Harris laughs at the fact that he was picked to be Town Historian. “What did I know about town history? Squat!” He says his only qualifications were that he was a history teacher, a Democrat, and he lived in Smithtown.” It appears that Mr. Harris is being modest. According to town records Mr. Harris’ name was submitted by a Mr. Edward Hayden, (Pres. of the Smithtown Historical Society), Mr. Brewster Lawrence Jr., (trustee of the Smithtown Historical Society), and Mr. Yens Christiansen, (Pres. of the Smithtown Branch Preservation Society.
( minutes of the September 26, 1978 Town Board Meeting.)
Mr. Harris taught Long Island History for a number of years, helping him develop a strong sense of community. While teaching high school courses he offered his students what was then considered a groundbreaking option either write a term paper, or do a certain number of hours in community service. A May 8, 1977 article in The New York Times written by Robert McG.Thomas Jr, “Razing A Witness To Time” is about a barn restoration project undertaken by the Smithtown Branch Preservation Society and Brad Harris’ students. This community service project had two-dozen Commack HS students actively participating in the relocation and restoration of a historic English barn in Smithtown.
What does a historian do? Everything, and for the most part the work is an act of love. With intimate knowledge of all things Smithtown Brad Harris is ready with a fact, a detail and a story. A request for the truth about the legend of Richard Smith’s (Smythe) riding a bull around the territory now known as Smithtown elicited a smile and a response that included everything from the casting of the bull we call “Whisper” to the Branglebrink Dairy Farm and its owner, Charles Butler a descendent of Richard Smith and grandson of John Lawrence Smith.
Up until five years ago the position of Town Historian came without compensation. In 2007 the Town Board awarded a $5,000 a year stipend to the Town Historian. Brad’s work includes researching and publishing books about Smithtown its inhabitants and its history. He has written numerous articles published in the Smithtown News documenting the development of the communities in Smithtown, and its inhabitants (Smithtown Matters also publishes articles written by Mr. Harris). He has written books about some of the hamlets that make up Smithtown including: Commack, Saint James, and Hauppauge. Currently he is documenting Nesconset’s history.
During his tenure as Town Historian Brad has made many short films and videos about Smithtown, originally working with Cablevision more recently collaborating with the Town’s Department of Public Safety. (All the information is available through Smithtown’s Historical Society).
The job of Town Historian includes attending to all matters related to historical buildings as well as various historical events that are held throughout the year. “Really the job is to promote interest in the history of the community, and I think I’ve consistently done that over the past 34 years in a number of ways.” said Harris. You’d be hard pressed to find someone that disagrees with him. It is safe to say he’s come along way since having been appointed somewhat randomly to his position.
Mr. Harris currently lives in St. James with his wife Joan. They have two sons, and three grandchildren. He continues to serve as Town Historian as he has since 1978.
(Special thanks to Maureen Sussillo, Deputy Town Clerk, for locating Brad’s appointment document.)