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. ### Julie Diamond Director of Communications The Long Island Museum 1200 Route 25A Stony Brook, NY 11790 631-751-0066 X248 jdiamond@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx