Nassau County Museums are not as famous as the museums of Manhattan, but they are still wonderful places to visit and have the advantage of not being as crowded. Nassau County has museums for nearly all interests: from its world-class Children’s Museum to its superior art museum.
Long Island Children’s Museum
11 Davis Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530
Tel: 516-224-5800 www.licm.org One of our favorite Nassau County Museums is the Long Island Children’s Museum. Long Island Children's Museum is a learning laboratory where hands-on exhibits invite visitors to experiment, examine and play. Through lively interdisciplinary activities, children and adults can share in the excitement of the learning process as they explore the world in which we live. The museum is designed for infants through 12 and their grownups. They have 14 permanent hands-on learning galleries, interactive theater performances, films and art exhibitions.
Nassau County Museum of Art
One Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor, NY
Tel: 516-484-9337 www.nassaumuseum.com Another of our favorite Nassau County Museums is the Nassau County Art Museum in Roslyn. The permanent collection includes over 600 works of art, primarily featuring 19th & 20th century American and European artists. The list of artists include Pierre Bonnard, Georges Braque, Audrey Flack, Frederick Warren Freer, Chaim Gross, Roy Lichtenstein, Auguste Rodin, Moses Soyer and Edouard Vuillard. Also part of the Museum’s permanent collection is the “Tee Ridder Miniatures” collection. The wonderful miniatures will charm children and adults both with their displays that include an 18th century kitchen, a music room and a gaming room with animal trophies. Surrounding the Georgian Mansion is an amazing outdoor garden designed by the famous landscape artist, Marian Coffin. In the formal garden and grounds are placed amazing scupltures from some of the greatest artists of the last three centuries. Children will delight in turning the corner and coming face-to-face with an amazing piece of art!
Cradle of Aviation Museum
Charles Lindbergh Avenue, Garden City, NY
Tel: 516-572-4111 www.cradleofaviation.org A terrific Nassau County Museum is the Cradle of Aviation Museum -- it also has an IMAX theater that shows not only educational documentaries but also current movies! The permanent exhibit includes everything from balloons and kites to the first aircrafts flown after the Wright Brothers pioneered the adventure that is mechanical flight. In addition to physical models and actual airplanes from the earliest days of flight to World War II aircrafts, there are also photographic exhibits as well as exhibits covering the space program.
The American Airpower Museum at Republic
1230 New Highway, Farmingdale, NY
Tel: 212-843-8010 www.americanairpowermuseum.com The current home of the American Airpower Museum at Republic Airport was an important part of the "Arsenal of Democracy" 65 years ago. The home of Republic Aviation, the site produced over 9,000 P-47 Thunderbolts in Farmingdale - they were known as the "Jug". What we really like about this museum is that it not only has vintage aircrafts, but they are also in working condition and they sometimes put on wonderful shows in their natural environment -- the air.
The Francis X. Pendl Nassau County Firefighters Museum
One Davis Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530
Tel: 516-572-4177 www.ncfiremuseum.org/index.php The Nassau County Firefighters Museum and Education Center is an amazing, interactive facility where our kids can experience first-hand what the firefighting tradition in Long Island is all about. The history of firefighting is showcased with hands-on exhibits, antique and modern firefighting apparatus and gear. Kids will love the interactive gallery where they can call 911, crawl low in smoke, do a stop-drop-roll, learn about home escape planning and so much more!
African-American Museum
110 N. Franklin Street, Hempstead, NY
Tel: 516-572-0730
e-mail: museum@rooseveltlongisland.org Established in 1970, this museum celebrates the rich history of African American on Long Island. This Nassau County Museum is home to a revolving series of exhibits featuring local and national African-American artists. The museum hosts several events such as Black History Month and celebrates the lives of famous African-Americans such as Martin Luther King and Malcolm X.
East Rockaway Grist Mill Museum
Woods and Atlantic Aves., East Rockaway, NY
Tel: 516-887-6300 / 516-887-6320 www.geocities.com/wormywart/gristmillphoto.html The East Rockaway Grist Mill Museum housed in a 300-year old building located on the Mill River. Originally built by Joseph Haviland in 1688, it is currently a museum in Memorial Park showcasing artifacts from Native Americans to the 19th century.
Garvies Point Museum and Preserve
50 Barry Drive, Glen Cove, NY
Tel: 516-571-8010 www.garviespointmuseum.com The Museum is a center for research on Long Island geology and a valued resource in the study of the Island'sNative American archaeology. Reference collections of original archaeological artifacts and geological phenomena are maintained. A giftshop provides materials and publications related to the exhibits and educational programming, with emphasis on the natural history of Long Island (from their website).
Hicksville Gregory Museum
Heitz Place, Hicksville, NY
Tel: 516-822-7505 www.gregorymuseum.org The Hicksville Gregory Museum showcases massive collections of butterflies, moths, rocks, minerals and local historical artifacts.
Nassau County Police Museum
1490 Franklin Avenue, Mineola, NY
Tel: 516-573-7620 www.policeny.com/ncpdm2005.html This museum dedicated to our police force is a showcase for uniforms and equipment from the past. Special exhibits feature the K-9 and Mounted Units.
Old Bethpage Village
1303 Swamp Road, Old Bethpage, NY
Tel: 516-572-8400/516-572-8401 www.oldbethpage.org
Oyster Bay Historical Society - Earle Wightman House
20 Summit Street, Oyster Bay, NY
Tel: 516-922-5032 www.oysterbayhistory.org
Sagamore Hill
20 Sagamore Hill Road, Oyster Bay, NY
Tel: 516-922-4788 www.nps.gov/sahi
Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County
100 Crescent Beach Road, Glen Cove, NY 11542
Tel: 516-571-8040 http://www.holocaust-nassau.org The Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County, located within the serenity of the beautiful Welwyn Preserve in Glen Cove, is Long Island’s preeminent institution dedicated solely to the teaching of the Holocaust and its implications for all of us. Every year tens of thousands of children and adults from Long Island visit this Center. Their docents, many of whom are Holocaust survivors, share personal stories with our visitors, bringing the history of this shameful period alive. This very personal way of teaching is instrumental in ensuring that each and every child and adult who passes through the center comes out with a more enlightened understanding of the history and lessons of the Holocaust. It is the hope that this experience will help nurture respect for one another and encourage us all to live together in peace and harmony. (from their website)
If you have any suggestions for additions to our list of Nassau County Museums, please email us at suggestions@nyfamilyguide.com.
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