Some interesting opportunities have resulted from my research of Elizabeth Oakes-Smith. Two weeks ago I contacted the Historical Society and joined. The group invited me to a fall picnic at an old farm in Southold Long Island owned by Mr. R. Bush. One of the amazing historic barns on the property houses Mr. Bush's collection of antique farming equipment and tools. He also has early pictures of farm life in Suffolk county, and in particular, his family's farm. It was very fascinating to visit his property, especially since I had just completed reading a history book on the farming industry on Long Island in th
e 1800's.Learning about the economic and cultural landscape of Long Island helps me better understand the Patchogue, and New York State, that Seba and Elizabeth Oakes-Smith knew, a landscape that is drastically different from what it once was. In their time Patchogue was considered very rural country. The main industries were farming and fishing. By World War II those livelihoods were dying out on Long Island. On the North and South fork of Long Island, more of that past life is preserved. Despite the invasion of malls and Lowe's Home Improvement stores, we still have the greatest farm stands, and a booming wine industry.
Nineteenth Century Long Island looked drastically different compared to today, in most parts. In a previous post I mentioned how shocked Elizabeth and Seba would be if they stepped out of their graves and found a YMCA where their house once stood. They would be stunned by today's Patchogue. The Smiths moved out to the country, (Patchogue), to escape city life in 1859. Previously, in the early 1850's they
lived at 86 Clinton St. which is now part of the Brooklyn Heights historic district. In 1855 they moved back to New York City into a brownstone on 46 Stuyvesant Street across from St. Mark's Church. The picture here is of their NYC home (taken from Wikipedia).At the picnic I met some of the members of the historical society and shared with them my research on Elizabeth Oakes-Smith. They invited me to do a presentation on her life this Spring at one of their meetings. I am very thrilled about this opportunity to share my project!
In addition, I received an email this morning from a grand-daughter of Elizabeth Oakes-Smith, descended from her son Appleton. I bet you can imagine how thrilling it was to make such a connection! Shown throughout this post are some pictures from my day at the Bush Farm.
2 comments:
Fascinating! Isn't research fun? Especially when you can "see" it and experience it this way, instead of just reading about it. I'm sure this trip will help you bring it to life in your writing. :)
Hi Koala! Thanks for visiting. I wish I could have made it to the writer's conference near you. Maybe next year.
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