A few months ago, I was fortunate enough to be a chaperone on Kelsey's 6th Grade trip to the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City.

I had never been there and it was clear, I was the most enthusiastic kid out of everyone in the class!

Having done a great deal of research about the Hempstead Plains prior to my visit, for other articles I've worked on, I was quite familiar with Roosevelt Field, formerly Hazelhurst Field, and the tremendous contributions made to the aviation industry right here on Long Island.  But, visiting the museum was no less interesting and in fact, it was that much more captivating to learn so many of the details and see original and replica flying machines.

If you are not familiar with just how instrumental Long Island was in transforming aviation from a dangerous sport to a viable means of transportation, you need to visit this museum.

In addition, a large portion of the nation's aerial arsenal in time of war was produced right in the area. According to the museum's website:
"The many record-setting and historic flights that transpired here, and the many aviation companies that developed here made aviation the integral part of our world that it is today."

One of the factors that made Long Island an ideal location for aviation, was that geographically it was a natural airfield.

First, being situated at the eastern edge of the United States, and at the western edge of the Atlantic  Ocean, it was an ideal focal point for most transatlantic and transcontinental flights.

Secondly, the central area of Nassau County, known as the Hempstead Plains, was the only natural prairie east of the Allegheny Mountains.  Possessing a flat, treeless area that was very sparsely populated, aviators, businesses and the United States government chose this area as  the scene of intense aviation activity for over fifty years.

The Museum showcases many original and replicas of the "flying machines" of the early 20th Century.  Many do not realize just how dangerous this new "sport" was, nor the fearless bravery these aviation pioneers possessed. 

The Museum website states, "By 1896 the first recorded aircraft flight took place on Long Island, when a Lilienthal-type glider was flown from the bluffs along Nassau County's north shore. By 1902 gasoline-powered airships were flown over Brooklyn. Powered flight had come to Long Island to stay."

The Golden Age of aviation in the 1920's and 1930's witnessed expansion and record setting in the areas of flying speed and distance here on Long Island, as well as the establishment of major aviation manufacturers including Curtiss and Sikorsky in Garden City, Sperry and Fairchild in Farmingdale, and Brunner-Winkle in Queens.

Undoubtedly, the most famous flight to have occurred on Long Island at this time was Charles Lindbergh's historical flight from Roosevelt Field to Paris in 1927.

I was truly awe-struck by the information to be garnered at the Cradle of Aviation and highly recommend it as a family experience for all. ​


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One of my all-time favorite historic places on Long Island is Sagamore Hill, the former home of Teddy Roosevelt.

My most recent visit was just last week and I couldn't have asked for a more lovely winter day.  Although the temps were in the thirties and it was chilly, the sun was brightly shining, making it a perfect day to stroll the grounds of the former home of the 26th president of the United States. 

Arriving early morning on a weekday was a good decision, since we found ourselves part of an intimate group on the house tour and feeling as if we had the grounds all to ourselves when walking around.

History of Sagamore Hill
​Located in Cove Neck, near Oyster Bay, the history of this former "summer white house" began when young Theodore Roosevelt purchased 155 acres of land in the area in 1880 at the age of twenty-two.  He paid $30,000 for the land which would be equal to about $700,000 today.

In 1884 Teddy Roosevelt hired the New York architectural firm Lamb & Rich to design a shingle-style, Queen Anne home for the property. The twenty-two room home was completed by John A. Wood and Son, of Lawrence, Long Island in 1886 for $16,975 (equal to $462,349 today), and Roosevelt moved into the house in 1887.

Although a Manhattan native, Roosevelt spent many summers during his youth on extended vacations with his family in the Oyster Bay area.

His original plan was to name the house "Leeholm" after his wife Alice Hathaway Lee Roosevelt. However, she died in 1884 giving birth to their daughter, Alice.  After remarrying in 1886, he decided to change the name to "Sagamore Hill". Sagamore is the Algonquin word for chieftain, the head of the tribe.

The house was expanded in 1905 with the addition of the "North Room,"  the largest room in the house. Furnished with trophies from the former president's hunts and gifts from foreign dignitaries, alongside pieces of art and books from the Roosevelts' collection, this room is the most impressive in the whole house.  

What is so wonderful about Sagamore Hill is that it contains original items and furnishings owned and used by the Roosevelt family, unlike many other historic homes and sites.  When you first walk in, Roosevelt's library is to the right, filled with very masculine furnishings and his original desk.  The former president was a voracious reader and the author of over 30 books.  There are over 8000 books throughout the house!

Across from his study and to the left upon entry to the house is Mrs. Roosevelt's private study and sitting room, where many guests were entertained before meeting with Roosevelt.  

Sagamore Hill took on its greatest importance when it became known as the "Summer White House" during the seven summers (1902–1908) Roosevelt spent there as President. It played host to numerous visits from foreign dignitaries and peace talks that helped draw an end to the Russo-Japanese war.

Unfortunately, picture taking was not allowed inside the home, which was so disappointing because there are so many treasures and personal affects on display. Lucky for me, I was able to secure a few photographs of the interior, garnered from an article by William Grimes, featured in his New York Times article Theodore Roosevelt’s Sagamore Hill Home Cries ‘Bully!’ on July 9, 2015 at the opening of the museum after a four year restoration effort.

Roosevelt died at Sagamore Hill on January 6, 1919, and was buried at nearby Youngs Memorial Cemetery.
 
On July 25, 1962, Congress established Sagamore Hill National Historic Site to preserve the house as a unit of the National Park Service. As with all historic areas administered by the National Park Service, Sagamore Hill was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1966.

The Theodore Roosevelt Museum at Orchard Hill
The Sagamore Hill residence provides a glimpse into the personal and private life of Teddy Roosevelt, whereas the Museum, as short walk from the house, offers a tribute to the life and career of this great American.  

The Old Orchard home, built in 1938 by Theodore Roosevelt Jr. on a four acre parcel within the family's historic fruit orchard, was his family's home until his wife Eleanor's death in 1960.Today the Old Orchard home hosts the Theodore Roosevelt Museum at Old Orchard as well as the park's administrative headquarters.

The museum traces Roosevelt's life and career in wall displays and artifacts.  Perhaps the most impressive is the uniform he wore as a Rough Rider, which he had custom made by Brooks Brothers.

About the Grounds
Sagamore Hill is also a place of natural beauty throughout the eighty three acres of forested areas, meadows, salt marsh and beach are home to birds, small mammals, turtles, frogs and insects. Paths and a nature trail provide a wonderful place to walk around.  Pets are also welcome on the grounds with the requirement to clean up after your furry friend.

Roosevelt Family Fortune
The Roosevelt family acquired their wealth through the efforts of Teddy's grandfather, Cornelius Van Schaack "C.V.S." Roosevelt, who had numerous businesses including hardware importer, plate glass manufacturer and eventually real estate owner in Manhattan.  By  1840, he was one of the five richest men in New York.  

Teddy's father, Theodore Roosevelt Sr. was also a businessman and great philanthropist who started the Children's Aid Society and was committed to helping orphans  He also founded the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the American Museum of Natural History, and the New York Children's Orthopedic Hospital. He is the man admired most by Teddy Roosevelt and he is quoted as saying that every major decision he made, he would first contemplate what his father would do.



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