Senate Resolution No. 2372

BY: Senator MURRAY

COMMENDING the Yaphank Historical Society upon the
occasion of celebrating its 50th Anniversary on May
18, 2024

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that the quality
of life of the citizens of the State of New York is greatly enriched by
its exceptional cultural, educational, and recreational institutions;
these institutions give positive definition to the profile and
disposition of the communities of the State of New York and profoundly
strengthen our society with their commitment; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend the Yaphank Historical Society in the Town of Brookhaven, New
York, in Suffolk County, upon the occasion of celebrating its 50th
Anniversary to be celebrated by a series of monthly events and
culminating with its Anniversary Party on Saturday, August 10, 2024; and

WHEREAS, Since its founding in 1974, the Yaphank Historical Society
has been a dedicated organization; its mission is to collect, interpret,
and preserve the rich history of the Hamlet of Yaphank and its
surrounding area; and

WHEREAS, Seeing a need to preserve this rich heritage, the Yaphank
Historical Society's founding members acquired the mission of
encouraging and supporting the preservation of historical buildings and
landmarks, as well as housing and preserving extensive special archival
exhibits and library collections; and

WHEREAS, The Yaphank Historical Society was founded under the
leadership of its first President, Eugene T. Dooley, who helped advocate
for and establish an official designation for the Yaphank Historic
District; and

WHEREAS, The Yaphank Historical Society maintains and manages four
historic houses, three of which are now on the National Register of
Historic Places, and it provides ongoing stewardship for several small
historic burial grounds and the Carmans River Nature Trail & Sanctuary;
and

WHEREAS, One of the historic houses the Society maintains and
manages is the Swezey-Avey House which is designated as a Brookhaven
Town Historic Landmark and serves as the Headquarters for the Yaphank
Historical Society; and

WHEREAS, The Yaphank Historical Society educates the public, working
with local schools and other community organizations to teach about
Yaphank's historic beginnings as an early American culture of sawmills
and gristmills; and

WHEREAS, The preservation efforts of the Yaphank Historical Society
include making publicly available archives and library collections of

the Yaphank Hamlet area for study and research and offering tours of
historic period homes from the 18th and 19th centuries; and

WHEREAS, The series of special events planned for the community,
which will culminate with the Anniversary Party in August of 2024,
showcases the rich history of the Hamlet of Yaphank and demonstrates the
commitment of the members of the Yaphank Historical Society to ensure
that this rich history will be passed on to the next generation; and

WHEREAS, For the past 50 years, the Yaphank Historical Society has
allowed citizens to effectively learn about their local history and to
help the public appreciate and enjoy the Yaphank Historic District with
all its natural and cultural heritage; now therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Yaphank Historical Society upon the occasion of celebrating
its 50th Anniversary on May 18, 2024; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Yaphank Historical Society.