[drivingpairs] LIM Smithsonian Affiliation

 
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                Contact: Julie Diamond

                                                                                
    631-751-0066 X248

                                                                                
    jdiamond@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

Long Island Museum Announces Affiliation with the 

Smithsonian Institution

 

Stony Brook, NY . January 5, 2007 . The Long Island Museum of American Art, 
History and Carriages (LIM) has been accepted by the Smithsonian Institution to 
join a nationwide group of museums and cultural institutions as a Smithsonian 
Affiliate.  The Smithsonian Affiliations program allows select organizations to 
have greater access to the Smithsonian's collections and educational resources. 
On February 9 from 6-8 p.m. the museum will host a book signing and 
presentation from Richard Kurin, Director of the Center for Folklife and 
Cultural Heritage at the Smithsonian Institution and author of the book, The 
Hope Diamond: The Legendary History of a Cursed Gem.

"We are honored," said Harold A. Closter, Director of Smithsonian Affiliations, 
"to welcome the Long Island Museum of American Art, History and Carriages into 
our program.  The Long Island Museum is highly regarded for its collections, 
exhibitions and commitment to education and public service.  As institutions 
devoted to exploring the formative periods of American development, and the 
products and masterpieces of American creativity and ingenuity, we have much in 
common.  We look forward to working together to enrich the experiences of all 
of our visitors."

In 1996 the Smithsonian Institution established an initiative to develop 
long-term relationships with museums and other cultural and educational 
organizations throughout the United States.  The Long Island Museum joins a 
group of 152 affiliate partners nationwide.  The Smithsonian Affiliations 
program allows affiliates to obtain long term loans of artifacts, and fosters 
resource sharing, educational initiatives and research efforts.  Affiliate 
organizations must have missions compatible with the Smithsonian's mission "for 
the increase and diffusion of knowledge," and they must maintain the same high 
standards in areas such as collections care, exhibition design, and museum 
education.  The Long Island Museum met these standards and was accepted into 
the program. 

The Museum's spectacular collection of horse drawn vehicles, the finest in the 
nation, is the focus of a current initiative to explore the social, cultural, 
and technological history of transportation in 19th century America through new 
exhibitions and educational programs created for its 30,000 square foot 
carriage museum.

"This affiliation between the Long Island Museum and the Smithsonian 
Institution is a wonderful opportunity for intellectual exchange," said Jackie 
Day, Museum President and CEO.  "Especially now, as we explore the 
transportation history of Long Island, in the broader context of national 
trends, we're looking forward to all the many ways in which this partnership 
can benefit the museum and our constituents."  

The Long Island Museum provides visitors with stimulating experiences that 
bring to life the history, art and culture of Long Island through authentic 
objects, compelling stories and interesting lives.  The museum, located on nine 
landscaped acres in Stony Brook, New York, includes historic structures and 
three separate museums exhibiting carriages, art and history.  The museum's 
education program serves more than 12,000 students annually from schools 
throughout Suffolk and Nassau.  Open to the general public from Wednesday 
through Sunday, the museum features permanent and changing exhibitions, and 
offers lectures, performances, seminars and workshops throughout the year.

Tickets for the February 9 event are $25 per person or $20 for museum members. 
Refreshments will be served and seating is limited. For reservations call Alex 
Higgins at 631-751-0066 X263. For more information on current exhibitions and 
other programs offered at the Long Island Museum, visit the museum web site at 
www.longislandmuseum.org. 

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Julie Diamond

Director of Communications

The Long Island Museum

1200 Route 25A

Stony Brook, NY  11790

631-751-0066 X248

jdiamond@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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