Long Island Maritime Museum
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| Established | 1966 |
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| Location | 88 West Avenue, West Sayville, New York, United States |
| Coordinates | 40°43′22″N 73°05′43″W / 40.722775°N 73.095286°WCoordinates: 40°43′22″N 73°05′43″W / 40.722775°N 73.095286°W |
| Director | Natasha Alexenko |
| Website | http://www.limaritime.org |
The Long Island Maritime Museum is located in West Sayville, New York.
The Long Island Maritime Museum was founded in 1966 on the waterfront grounds of the former Meadowedge estate of Mrs. Florence Bourne Hard in West Sayville. Florence Hard was the daughter of Frederick Gilbert Bourne, president of Singer Sewing Machine from 1889 to 1905. Charged with the mission of preserving Long Island’s maritime history and heritage for educational purposes, the Museum has been welcoming visitors from all over the world for over 40 years.
The Museum’s Main Exhibit and Administrative Building, formerly the estate’s garage, houses a collection of local half models, a permanent exhibit on Long Island shipwrecks and the United States Lifesaving Service, and a gallery for annual exhibits. Hervey Garrett Smith is credited to being the Museum's founder and first director. The Museum grounds and buildings were originally owned by the Bourne-Hard family.
The garage also houses the Elward Smith III Library, a treasure trove of books, documents, photographs and boat plans. The Library is located in the east wing of the Carriage House, with the archives upstairs. The Library, which also houses many unique models and trophies is used for educational programs and meetings.
The Long Island Maritime Museum is the current home of Priscilla and Modesty, two vessels which are National Historic Landmarks.
The Long Island Maritime Museum acquired Priscilla in 1976. The vessel was significantly altered throughout her extensive career. Until 2002, she served the Long Island Maritime Museum as a floating ambassador to other organizations on Long Island and in New York City. Priscilla like all working vessels was subject to heavy wear and deterioration, and was constantly undergoing maintenance and repair throughout her lifespan.
Because of her deteriorated condition, Priscilla underwent an extensive restoration at the Long Island Maritime Museum during a 19-month period between 2002 and 2003. The vessel has retained her historical physical appearance and the workmanship of Elisha Saxton and the care of her subsequent owners are testimony to her survival today. At the Long Island Maritime Museum, Priscilla is used as a floating exhibit next to the 1908 Rudolph Oyster House and berthed along the same dock as the 1923 scallop dredger Modesty.
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