Long Island Collections
About
Our Long Island collections are premier sources for the study and research of regional history. A primary collecting focus of Special Collections, our extensive Long Island book, manuscript, and map collections are highly regarded and attract researchers from the university community to international scholars.
The collections include primary and secondary source material on the history of Long Island from the earliest settlers through the present, with a strong emphasis on the period of the American Revolution through the War of 1812 (1764-1812).
Recognition
Special Collections has been honored by the New York Board of Regents and New York State Archives with the awarding of the “Annual Archives Award for Program Excellence in a Historical Records Repository.” The Board of Regents and theNew York State Archives present this award annually to an organization in the state that exemplifies excellence in an archival program. Christine Ward, New York State Archivist, commended Stony Brook “for its outstanding archival program that contributes significantly to understanding the region’s history.”
Additionally, the department’s guide to digital Long Island documents and books was lauded by The Scout Report, a division of the National Science Foundation’s National Science Digital Library (NSDL) Project.
In May 2023, Special Collections and University Archives was presented the Kate Wheeler Strong Memorial Award by the Three Village Historical Society “in recognition of significant contributions toward the fostering of interest in local history and a fuller appreciation of the rich historical and cultural heritage of this community” on May 17, 2023. Each year the Three Village Historical Society Board of Trustees and Award Committee awards local businesses, residents, homeowners, society members and youth who have made significant contributions in helping to preserve the heritage of the Three Village area. Suffolk County Legislator Kara Hahn presented a proclamation from the Suffolk County Legislature, stating in part: “Special Collections & University Archives has been a source for inspiration and guidance and for historical information highlighted during numerous Three Village Historical Society events” and its work “ensures this community has a direct link to its past, captures its present and enriches the future.” A Certificate of Congratulations was received from the Brookhaven Town Board and presented by Councilman Jonathan Kornreich, District 1.
Support and Advance our Long Island Collecting and Preservation Activities
In 2009, Special Collections established the "Long Island Historical Documents Fund" to support the acquisition and care of Long Island books, papers, and maps. With contributions from donors, we have been able to acquire several new collections and conserve priceless manuscripts and maps. Please consider making a financial gift to help us grow and preserve our esteemed regional collections.
Searching
Our Long Island book (more than 2,000 volumes) and historical map collections can be searched using our online discovery catalog. To refine your results, narrow the "Library" to "Special Collections. "Digital Collections" feature the department's manuscript materials and books.
FEATURED COLLECTIONS
George Washington Spy Letters
Spies do exist in the archive! The Three Village Area including Stony Brook and Setauket
was central to intelligence gathering activities during the American Revolution. Special
Collections, a division of Stony Brook University Libraries (SBU Libraries) owns and
curates two American Revolutionary War-era, Culper Spy Ring letters authored by George
Washington. Significant to regional and national historical narratives, SBU's letters
were composed in 1779 and 1780 and document espionage activities right here in our
community.
Samuel Hopkins Miller
A collection of original account books, diaries, ledgers, correspondence, and land
deeds dating from 1705 to 1967 that document several generations of the Miller, Tuthill,
and Tillotson families on Long Island, New York primarily in the areas of Miller Place
and Rocky Point in the Town of Brookhaven. Andrew Miller (1634-1717) of East Hampton
settled in “Miller’s Place,” later named “Miller Place” on Long Island in 1679.
Robert M. Emery Long Island Rail Road Collection
Detailed pencil drawings of Long Island Rail Road tracks and surrounding geographic
areas (Kings, Queens, Nassau, Suffolk), with explanatory notes by Emery; over 5,000
identified photographs and postcards of construction, employees, trains, depots, and
other scenes; 262 timetables; and other material relating to the railroad (ca. 1885-1974).
Long Island Land Deeds
Collection of deeds (ca. 1759-1851). Surnames include: Wells, Downs, Swezey, Howell,
Ferry, Corwin, Tuthill, Hallock, and Youngs.
Long Island Legal Documents
Legal records, including bail pleas, licenses, notices of court appearances, court
minutes, subpoenas, lists of jurors, and petitions, ca. 1784-1846. Surnames include
Kissam, Nicolls, Roe, Sammis, Smith, Titus, Townsend, Van Wyck, Wickes, Willet, and
Wyckoff.
Long Island Maps and Atlases
Special Collections curates maps and atlases depicting Long Island and New York State
dating back to the seventeenth century. Holdings for the map and atlas collections
can be located in SBU Libraries' discovery catalog, SEARCH.
Richard Welch Collection
Extensive photograph collection of colonial gravestones; manuscripts; journals; correspondence,
and published works.
Brookhaven Town Land Deeds
Land deeds and documents pertaining to Brookhaven, New York, ca. 1780-1929. Surnames
include Helme, Rose, Hawkins, Myhr, and Mott.
DIGITIZED COLLECTION HIGHLIGHTS
Long Island Documents featuring George Washington Letters
Special Collections acquired two exciting American Revolutionary War-era letters authored
by George Washington that document spy activities in Setauket, NY during 1779 and
1780. The purchase of these letters was made possible with a generous gift from Dr.
Henry and Marsha Laufer and laid the foundation for the establishment of a Long Island
Historic Documents Collection. The collection includes primary and secondary source
material on the history of Long Island from the earliest settlers through the present,
with a strong emphasis on the period of the American Revolution through the War of
1812 (1764-1812). Visit the LibGuide for George Washington and the Culper Spy Ring for more information and resources about this topic
Digitized Long Island Book Collection
A curated collection of the department's scarce books about Long Island.
Digitized Edition: Long Island Historical Journal
The print edition of this peer-reviewed, scholarly journal founded by Roger Wunderlich at Stony Brook University has been digitized and indexed. Search and freely access
thirty-two issues (1988-2008) of substantive, original scholarship about the history
of Long Island - Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau and Suffolk counties - set in a regional,
national and global context. In 2009, the LIHJ was renamed the Long Island History Journal.
Long Island Postcards
View postcards dating back to the late 19th century of Long Island scenes, landmarks, and homes.
Stony Brook University Archives
Research the history, people, and traditions of Long Island's largest research university.
Specula Yearbooks
Access PDFs of Stony Brook University's yearbook, which was published from 1961 to
2006.
LONG ISLAND COLLECTIONS
- American Association of University Women (AAUW) - Smithtown Area Branch
- Bayard Cutting Arboretum Horticultural Society
- Bellport, John
- Blackwell Jr., Samuel and Margaret Ann Blackwell [deed] to Samuel Vandervoort
- Brandwein, Ruth
- Brookhaven (Town: New York)
- Brookhaven Land Deeds and Documents
- Clarke, Peter McFerrin
- Cleveland, Moses
- Clinton, George
- Cook, Susan and Ronald
- Cooley, Arthur P.
- Daniels, Norton W., Jr.
- Demott, John W.
- Drewes, Fred
- Emery, Robert M.
- Englebright, Steven
- Environmental Defense Fund
- Flatau, Adelaide
- Fletcher, Mary T.
- Fuoco, Louis A., Jr.
- Gardiner, S.L.
- Gentile, Edith
- Giese, Ferdinand J.
- Giuffreda, Leon E.
- Gordon, Edith L.
- Greeley, Horace
- Greenport Driving Park Association
- Greenport Oyster Company
- Habicht, Ernest R., Jr.
- Hallett family
- Hand, Josiah
- Harpur, Robert
- Hartley, Charles
- Hastings, Michael
- Herstory Writers Workshop
- Hochbrueckner, George J.
- Independent Order of Good Templars, New York (State) Samaritan Lodge, no. 782, Greenport
- Independent Order of Good Templars, New York (State) Sterling Lodge, no. 650, Greenport
- Indivisible: Doula Archive
- Jacobs, Helen Hull
- Jamaica, Queens County, New York
- Jaray, Cornell
- Kane, Muriel and Julian
- L'Hommedieu, Ezra
- LaGumina, Salvatore
- LaValle, Kenneth P.
- Lawrence, Charles Embree
- League of Women Voters
- League of Women Voters of Brookhaven South
- League of Women Voters of Nassau County
- League of Women Voters of North Brookhaven
- League of Women Voters of Riverhead/Southold
- League of Women Voters of Smithtown
- League of Women Voters of the Town of Oyster Bay
- Leasenfeld, Edna
- Linton, Floyd S.
- Long Island Archives Conference
- Long Island Cookbooks
- Long Island Ephemera
- Long Island Environmental Council
- Long Island Postcard Collection
- Long Island Land Deeds
- Long Island Legal Documents
- Long Island National Organization for Women. Nassau Chapter
- Long Island Pride Parade, Inc.
- Merrick and Jamaica Plank Road Company (NY)
- Mid-Suffolk National Organization for Women (Suffolk County, New York)
- Miller, Samuel Hopkins
- Moeller, Henry W.
- Mount Sinai Harbor Conservation League
- Murphy, Robert Cushman
- Nassau-Suffolk Regional Planning Board
- New York Civil Liberties Union. Suffolk County (New York) Chapter
- Parsons and Company Collection (Queens, New York), 1774-1884
- Preservation Society of the East End
- Rattiner, Dan
- Richards, William C.
- Rogers, William H.
- Sailor, Vance Lewis
- Sauer, Claire
- Seyfried, Vincent F.
- Shannon, Harold J.
- Shope, Roger. Citizen's Advisory Committee of the Long Island Sound Study of the New England River Basins Commission
- Skidmore, William Allen and David William
- Sleight, Anna C. Dering
- Smolker, Robert Eliot
- Soper, Oliver
- Southampton Fresh Air Home
- Southold: The Grange or Patrons of Husbandry
- Squires, Edward Lewis
- Steinberg, Mildred
- Suffolk County (New York). Legislature. Committees. Minutes
- Suffolk County (New York). Legislature. Committees. Resolutions
- Suffolk Inter-religious Coalition on Housing, Inc.
- Suffolk Scientists for Cleaner Power and Safer Environment
- Tallmadge, Benjamin
- Townsend, Howard
- Townsend, Howard
- Turano, Frank
- Turner, Joyce Moore
- United Farm Workers Union controversy
- Van Liew, Barbara Ferris
- Verzyl, Kenneth H.
- Union Free School District No.5, Levittown, New York Collection
- Washington, George, 1779
- Washington, George, 1780
- Webb, Samuel Blachley
- Welch, Richard F.
- Williamson, John M.
- Women's International League for Peace and Freedom. Central Suffolk Branch
- Woodhull, Nathaniel
- WUSB 90.1 FM: Abbie Kearse
- Wurster, Charles F.