July 25, 2005

Dear Friends,

For more than 20 years, the Ocean Beach Historical Society has collected, preserved, and exhibited the photographs, artifacts, and memorabilia that tell the fascinating stories of Ocean Beach, reminding residents and visitors alike of the rich historical legacy of the communities here in our Fire Island paradise. YOUR MEMBERSHIPS have helped us research, develop and mount exhibits as varied and interesting as Crossing the Great South Bay (1999), A History of Firefighting in Ocean Beach (2002), Stormy History (1992), and As it Was: The Wally Pickard Collection (2004).

We are thrilled to be in a brand-new space that offers us boundless opportunities, and we would like to thank Mayor Rogers, the Board of Trustees, Mary Anne Minerva and Kevin Schelling of the Incorporated Village of Ocean Beach for their dedication to this project and for their support of the Society. The redesigned gallery offers us more hanging space, vaulted ceilings, and bright, beautiful lighting. French doors allow us access to the deck, space we can use for our opening receptions and for special exhibits and demonstrations. While the new space offers opportunities previously unavailable to us, we are also facing several new challenges, including outfitting the gallery and storage spaces so that our artifacts can be properly exhibited and secured. These are big projects ahead!

The Society is generously supported by the Ocean Beach Community Fund, but we need support from individuals like you to help us meet this year’s fundraising goal of $12,000. We are hoping to drastically increase both the number of memberships and the dollars we’ve received in the past, so we need your help now!

Our membership levels are as follows:
$50 Individual
$75 Family
$100 Contributor
$200 Business
$250 Gold

We are pleased to be able to offer a free gift for each membership, and we are happy to introduce the Gold Membership. Gold Members will receive a free OBHS tote bag, designed by Sallie Potterton. (Gifts must be picked up at the Society. We are unable to mail them.) So, if you’ve enjoyed our exhibits, and if you are able, won’t you consider supporting the Historical Society this year? Thank you.

To join the Society, send your name, preferred mailing address, phone number, membership level, and a check made payable to the OBHS to: P.O. Box 701, Ocean Beach, NY 11770. We accept mail all year long. Or, stop into the Society in July to pick up our most recent membership letter.

Thank you for your support!