About our Archives

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The Montauk Library Archives collects and preserves materials documenting the history, culture, and community of Montauk. The collection, spanning from the 1880s to the present, includes photographs and slides, artifacts, film, maps, scrapbooks, albums, journals, reports, postcards, programs, guide books, yearbooks, microfilm, telegrams, certificates, minutes, organizational records, out of print books, Montauk Beach Development Corporation ephemera, newspaper clippings, and large selection of audio and video oral histories containing interviews with members of Montauk’s early families.

Historical material is available to researchers, educators, teachers, and students. Anyone interested in the history of Montauk can visit the Archive Room at the Montauk Library and make use of the materials kept there. The materials are accessible by appointment. Contact: Aimee Lusty, Archivist, archives@montauklibrary.org.

We have been collecting written material, photographs, artifacts, film, maps, scrapbooks, journals, reports, slides, postcards, programs, guide books, microfilm, telegrams, certificates, anything related to the history of Montauk, most of which is donated by members of the community. The Montauk Library’s Archive Room has the following materials available to the public: historical books on Montauk, East Hampton and Long Island, comprehensive plans, environmental impact studies, local cookbooks, East Hampton Trustee records, history and archaeology of the Montauk Indians, information on Camp Hero and Shadmoor, back issues of the Montauk Light and Long Island Forum, historical preservation reports and zoning studies. We also have been interviewing Montauk’s longtime residents and recording their memories of times past. These interviews along with other materials such as historical Montauk film from the 1920s – 1960s will be available to many generations to come.

Guide to Montauk Library Archive collection:

Photograph and slide collection

Includes photographs, film negatives and postcards of people, places and events relating to Montauk.

Map collection

Consists largely of maps of Montauk and East Hampton Town. Click here to browse the map collection.

  • William Walsh collection
  • Linda B. Hicks collection
  • Richard T. Gilmartin collection

Vertical File

Organized by subject contains newspaper clippings, documents, and other materials relating to Montauk.

Books

Various subjects include Montauk, East Hampton, Long Island, cookbooks, fishing, marine sciences, natural sciences, celebrities & biographies, and a collection of out-of-print books.

Documents, Journals, Minutes

Handwritten and typewritten materials relating to Montauk’s history include civic groups, individuals, and organizations, including the:

  • Montauk Artists’ Association
  • Montauk Village Association

Periodicals

  • Long Island Forum 1955-1987
  • Montauk Light 1984-1986
  • Long Island Fisherman 1971–1988, 1993

Oral History Collection

The Montauk Library’s Oral History Collection encompasses audio and video interviews documenting life stories, memories, genealogies, and historical events as retold by community members who have contributed to the culture and history of the Montauk Library or to the Montauk community at large. Oral histories were conducted by the Montauk Historical Society, the Montauk Library Oral History Program, and individual oral historians. The interviews in the collection date from 1978 through the present day. Click here to read more about the collection and listen to digitized interviews.

Non-circulating Local Interest Videos In The Archive Room

  • 1938 hurricane 50 years later
  • Montauk Library – old and new 11/24/1991
  • 1985 AARP forum on the incorporation of Montauk
  • Willie Biase home movies, 1960s
  • American Dream Show with Suzanne Gosman
  • St. Patrick’s Day parade 3/18/1990
  • Deep Hollow Ranch promo video
  • Montauk Community Church 75th Anniversary
  • Osborne Family Home Movies, Montauk 1930s
  • Rights of Man show 1930s, 40s home movies, Montauk Vorpahl/Bengston family
  • Rights of Man show Shipwrecks of Montauk
  • John Kelsey Home Movies 1950s-1960s
  • Suzanne Gosman on Bill Fleming’s show talking about the new library 10/17/1986
  • Prado Family Home Movies, 1950s
  • Montauk Library dedication
  • Young Universe show #43 “Montauk fisherman”
  • Brian Rade with cousin Richard Rade
  • Montauk Library dedication of the meeting room 6/13/1999
  • Montauk Historical Society 1920s film
  • Oral history interviews conducted with longtime Montauk residents
  • Akin Family Home Movies, 1950s