The Polish American Museum is located at 16 Belleview Avenue in Port Washington, New York , USA. It was founded on January 20, 1977. It features displays of folk art, costumes, historical artifacts and paintings, as well as bilingual research library with particular focus on achievements of the people of Polish heritage in America.
131-534: Nearly everything in the museum, which is housed at the old Port Washington library, was donated by members of the community: from the war memorabilia, army uniforms, Polish medals and weapons, to the books about Poland in both English and Polish. Barbara Szydlowski, president of the museum, remarked that many Polish immigrants made their way to Nassau County about a century ago to work in North Shore estates, but their descendants are dispersed. "We're trying to do more on
262-451: A gross domestic product of approximately $ 500 billion. Median household income on the island significantly exceeds $ 100,000, and the median home price is approximately $ 600,000, with Nassau County approximating $ 700,000. Among residents over the age of 25, 42.6% hold a college degree or higher educational degree. Unemployment on Long Island stays consistently below 4%. Biotechnology companies , engineering , and scientific research play
393-415: A 2007 estimate. Males had a median income of $ 52,340 versus $ 37,446 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 32,151. About 3.50% of families and 5.20% of the population were below the poverty line , including 5.80% of those under age 18 and 5.60% of those age 65 or over. The population density in 2010 was 4,700 people per square mile (1,800 people/km ). In 2000, the population density
524-557: A 42-week training course at the Nassau County Police Academy. Qualified officers are offered Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training. Auxiliary Police officers are certified and registered by the New York Division of Criminal Justice Services as full-time "peace officers". The City of Long Beach has an independent auxiliary police force which is part of its municipal police force. These officers are represented by
655-462: A Mineola postal address, but are within the present day Village of Garden City , which did not incorporate, nor set its boundaries, until 1919. In 1917, the hamlet of Glen Cove was granted a city charter, making it independent from the Town of Oyster Bay. In 1918, the village of Long Beach was incorporated in the Town of Hempstead. In 1922, it became a city, making it independent of the town. These are
786-711: A boundary dispute, they drove out English settlers from the Oyster Bay area. However, in 1664, the English returned to take over the Dutch colony of New Netherland , including Long Island. The 1664 land patent granted to the Duke of York included all islands in Long Island Sound. The Duke of York held a grudge against Connecticut, as New Haven had hidden three of the judges ( John Dixwell , Edward Whalley and William Goffe ) who sentenced
917-650: A boundary dispute. In 1664, all of Long Island became part of the English Province of New York within the Shire of York . Present-day Queens and Nassau were then just part of a larger North Riding. In 1683, the colonial territory of Yorkshire was dissolved, Suffolk County and Queens County were established, and the local seat of government was moved west from Hempstead to Jamaica (now in New York City ). By 1700, virtually none of Long Island's area remained unpurchased from
1048-594: A central hub for advanced medical care and technology. Eight cricket matches of the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup were played at the cricket stadium in East Meadow in June 2024. The name of Nassau County originated from an old name for Long Island , which was at one time named Nassau , after the Dutch family of King William III of England , the House of Nassau , itself named after
1179-610: A climate similar to other coastal areas of the Northeastern United States ; it has warm, humid summers and cool, wet winters. The county's climate is classified as humid subtropical ( Cfa ) according to the Köppen climate classification . According to the Trewartha climate classification the climate is oceanic ( Do ) since six to seven months average above 50″F (10″C). The Atlantic Ocean helps bring afternoon sea breezes that temper
1310-497: A devastating attack that killed 80 Native Americans. Despite shifting claims to title and absentee land sales, European settlers continued to purchase land directly from indigenous people. In 1655, they split the acquired land amongst themselves and continued to search the island for more land for settlement. On June 10, 1664, other parts of indigenous land were bought, including present-day Brookhaven , Bellport , and South Haven , in exchange for four coats and 6 pounds 10 shilling -
1441-582: A lack of evidence, can only be guessed. However, anthropological models suggest that the leaders did not have overarching authority over the rest of the village. Rather, the leaders often sought advice from the elders. The early settlers of Long Island were likely tied by kinship and did not identify themselves as distinct tribes. These tribes were designated by the Europeans as a method of identifying borders. However, there seems to be two, overlapping, but different cultures. Western Long Island natives probably spoke
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#17332022851461572-498: A medium for cultural expression. The stylistic variations in pottery across different sites on Long Island suggest a rich diversity of cultural identities and the exchange of ideas among various groups. Additionally, this period was marked by participation in trade networks with other Northeastern Indigenous communities. During the Late Woodland Period, there was a noticeable intensification of agriculture, with maize becoming
1703-516: A part of Queens County but not part of the Borough of Queens. As part of the city consolidation plan, all town, village, and city (other than NYC) governments within the borough were dissolved, as well as the county government with its seat in Jamaica. The areas excluded from the consolidation included all of the Town of North Hempstead, all of the Town of Oyster Bay, and most of the Town of Hempstead (excluding
1834-400: A plan to use counterfeiting to induce economic sabotage. Long Island's colonists supported both Loyalist and Patriot causes, with many prominent families divided among both sides. During the occupation, British forces utilized a number of civilian structures for defense and were also at times quartered in local homes. A number of structures from this era remain. Among these are Raynham Hall ,
1965-493: A shift towards a more settled lifestyle, with small bands forming seasonal settlements. The indigenous peoples in the Early and Middle Woodland period began developing horticulture as well as more efficient strategies for hunting and gathering. They established year-round settlements. Pottery emerged as a widespread technological innovation during this era, serving not only practical storage and cooking purposes but also functioning as
2096-683: A significant role in Long Island's economy, including research facilities at Brookhaven National Laboratory , Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory , Stony Brook University , New York Institute of Technology , Plum Island Animal Disease Center , the New York University Tandon School of Engineering , the Zucker School of Medicine , and the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research . As a hub of commercial aviation , Long Island
2227-476: A staple crop alongside beans and squash. This agricultural advancement supported larger populations and led to the establishment of more permanent villages characterized by substantial dwellings, mostly wigwams and longhouses . The increased reliance on farming did not eliminate hunting and gathering, which continued to play a crucial role in the subsistence economy. The Long Island natives lived in villages of differing sizes and their governing style, because of
2358-667: A struggle over between the Pequot tribe of Connecticut, who exerted control over eastern Long Island, and the English New England Colonies , reshaped alliances and power dynamics in the region. The defeat of the Pequots left a void in eastern Long Island's political landscape, who were historically under the influence of the Connecticut Pequots for trade and protection. Indigenous leaders such as Uncas and Ninigret , alongside
2489-584: A third railroad track to the Long Island Rail Road corridor between the communities of Floral Park and Hicksville in Nassau County. The nearly US$ 2 billion transportation infrastructure enhancement project was expected to accommodate anticipated growth in rail ridership and facilitate commutes between New York City and Nassau and Suffolk counties on Long Island. The Long Island Expressway , Northern State Parkway , and Southern State Parkway are
2620-487: A unit of the Nassau County Police Department . These volunteer police officers are assigned to 1 of 38 local community units and perform routine patrols of the neighborhood. They provide traffic control for local parades, races and other community events. Auxiliary Police officers are empowered to make arrests for crimes that occur in their presence. Nassau County Auxiliary Police are required to complete
2751-431: A value that, accounting for monetary inflation through 2017, is currently worth approximately $ 840. During King Philip's War in 1675, the governor of New York , Edmund Andros , ordered that all canoes east of Hell Gate be confiscated. This was done to prevent local indigenous people from helping their Native allies on the mainland, who were attacking New England settlers there. Notable sachems, such as Tackapousha of
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#17332022851462882-464: A village in 1906 and set its boundaries almost entirely within the Town of North Hempstead), winning out over Hicksville and Hempstead. The Garden City Company (founded in 1893 by the heirs of Alexander Turney Stewart ) donated four acres of land for the county buildings in the Town of Hempstead, just south of the Mineola train station and the present day village of Mineola. The land and the buildings have
3013-476: Is Bruce Blakeman , a Republican who was elected in 2021. The chief deputy county executive is Republican Arthur Walsh. The district attorney is Republican Anne T. Donnelly, who was elected in 2021, replacing Acting District Attorney Joyce Smith. Smith succeeded Madeline Singas after she was nominated and confirmed as an associate judge on the New York Court of Appeals in June 2021. The county comptroller
3144-560: Is Elaine Phillips , a Republican who formerly served in the New York State Senate . The county clerk is Republican Maureen O'Connell . Former elected offices chairman of the County Board of Assessors, county treasurer, and county sheriff were made appointed and serve at the pleasure of the county executive (county assessor in 2008 via referendum, changing it from a six-year term to appointed). Long Island Long Island
3275-416: Is divided into two cities and three towns, the latter of which contain 64 villages and numerous hamlets. The county borders Connecticut across the Long Island Sound. Between the 1990 U.S. census and the 2000 U.S. census , the Nassau County exchanged territory with Suffolk County and lost territory to Queens County. Dozens of CDPs had boundaries changed, and 12 new CDPs were listed. Nassau County has
3406-529: Is a suburban county located on Long Island , immediately to the east of New York City , bordering the Long Island Sound on the north and the open Atlantic Ocean to the south. As of the 2020 United States census , Nassau County's population was 1,395,774, making it the sixth-most populous county in the State of New York, and reflecting an increase of 56,242 (+4.2%) from the 1,339,532 residents enumerated at
3537-535: Is a densely populated continental island in southeastern New York state , extending into the Atlantic Ocean . It constitutes a significant share of the New York metropolitan area in both population and land area. The island extends from New York Harbor 118 miles (190 km) eastward into the ocean with a maximum north–south width of 23 miles (37 km). With a land area of 1,401 square miles (3,630 km ), it
3668-529: Is also translated as "loose" or "scattered", which may refer either to the wampum or to Long Island. The name "'t Lange Eylandt alias Matouwacs" appears in Dutch maps from the 1650s, with 't Lange Eylandt translating it to "Long Island" from Old Dutch . The English referred to Long Island as "Nassau Island", after the House of Nassau of the Dutch Prince William of Nassau, Prince of Orange (who later also ruled as King William III of England ). It
3799-490: Is considered one of the central counties within the New York metropolitan area . Nassau County comprises two cities , three towns , 64 incorporated villages , and more than 60 unincorporated hamlets . Nassau County has a designated police department , fire commission , and elected executive and legislative bodies. A 2012 Forbes article based on the American Community Survey reported Nassau County as
3930-551: Is home to two of the nation's and New York metropolitan area 's busiest airports, JFK International Airport and LaGuardia Airport . Also located on Long Island are Long Island MacArthur Airport and two major air traffic control radar facilities, New York TRACON and New York ARTCC. Long Island has nine major bridges and thirteen navigable tunnels, which connect Brooklyn and Queens to the three other boroughs of New York City. Ferries connect Suffolk County northward across Long Island Sound to Connecticut . Long Island Rail Road
4061-579: Is not a village department but is authorized by a special district, the only such district in the State of New York. These smaller forces make use of such specialized county police services as the police academy and the aviation unit. All homicides in the county are investigated by the county police, regardless of whether or not they occur within the police district. In June 2011, the Muttontown Police Department commenced operations. The Old Brookville Police had formerly provided police services to
Polish American Museum - Misplaced Pages Continue
4192-475: Is now New York Bay in 1524, however it is unclear whether he encountered Native Americans from Long Island. In 1609, the English navigator Henry Hudson explored the harbor and purportedly landed at present-day Coney Island . Dutch explorer Adriaen Block followed in 1615 and is credited as the first European to determine that both Manhattan and Long Island are islands. The first recorded encounters between
4323-482: Is separated from Staten Island and the state of New Jersey by Upper New York Bay , The Narrows , and Lower New York Bay . With a population of 8,063,232 residents as of the 2020 U.S. census , Long Island constitutes 40% of New York state's entire population. Long Island is the most populous island in any U.S. state or territory, the third-most populous island in the Americas after Hispaniola and Cuba , and
4454-455: Is the busiest commuter railroad in North America and operates continuously. As the last Ice Age waned with Wisconsin glaciation , early Paleo-Indians ventured into the evolving landscapes of present-day Long Island, marking a significant environmental shifts and laying the groundwork for the region's rich ecosystems. These nomadic hunter-gatherers, equipped with stone tools, navigated
4585-457: Is the largest island in the contiguous United States . Long Island is divided among four counties , with Kings (Brooklyn), Queens , and Nassau counties occupying its western third and Suffolk County its eastern two-thirds. Long Island may refer both to the main island and the surrounding outer barrier islands . To its west, Long Island is separated from Manhattan Island and the Bronx by
4716-468: Is unclear when the name "Nassau Island" was discontinued. Another indigenous name from colonial time, Paumanok , comes from the Native American name for Long Island and means "the island that pays tribute." The very first European settlements on Long Island were by settlers from England and its colonies in present-day New England . Lion Gardiner settled nearby Gardiners Island. The first settlement on
4847-445: The 2000 United States census , there were 1,334,544 people, 447,387 households, and 347,172 families residing in the county. In 2010, there were 340,523 family households. 33.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them. 60.0% were married couples living together. 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present. 24.1% were non-families. 20.1% of all households were made up of individuals. 15.1% had someone living alone who
4978-569: The 2010 census . Its county seat is Mineola , while the county's largest and most populous town is Hempstead . Situated on western Long Island, the County of Nassau borders New York City's borough of Queens to its west, and Long Island's Suffolk County to its east. It is the most densely populated and second-most populous county in the State of New York outside of New York City, with which it maintains extensive rail and highway connectivity, and
5109-544: The Algonquian peoples of Long Island and Europeans occurred with the arrival of explorers in the early 17th century, first contacted by Henry Hudson and his crew. These interactions were initially characterized by curiosity and tentative exchanges, but conflicts later emerged between them. Despite this, mutually beneficial trade ensued, with the Algonquian trading fur for clothing, metal, guns, and alcohol. The Dutch, recognizing
5240-527: The American Civil War , historical writings and notes, photographs, personal letters, audio and video tapes, clippings, newsletters, directories and certificates. Materials about Polish-American organizations feature documents from Polish National Alliance , Polish Roman Catholic Union of America , Polish Falcons of America , and information on Polish press published in the United States, not to mention
5371-651: The Apollo Lunar Module to the Space program. The United Nations Security Council was temporarily located in Nassau County, from 1946 till 1951. Council meetings were held at the Sperry Gyroscope headquarters in the village of Lake Success , near the border with Queens County. It was here that on June 27, 1950, the Security Council voted to back U.S. President Harry S Truman and send a coalition of forces to
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5502-523: The East River tidal estuary . North of the island is Long Island Sound , across which lie Westchester County, New York , and the state of Connecticut . Across the Block Island Sound to the northeast is the state of Rhode Island . Block Island , which is part of Rhode Island, and numerous smaller islands extend farther into the Atlantic Ocean . To the extreme southwest, Long Island, at Brooklyn ,
5633-475: The German town of Nassau . The county colors (orange and blue) are also the colors of the House of Orange-Nassau . Several alternate names had been considered for the county, including "Bryant", " Matinecock " (a village within the county currently has that name), "Norfolk" (presumably because of the proximity to Suffolk County), and "Sagamore". However, "Nassau" had the historical advantage of having at one time been
5764-755: The Gold Coast of the North Shore and the Five Towns area on the South Shore . South Shore communities are built along protected wetlands of the island and contain white sandy beaches of Outer Barrier Islands fronting on the Atlantic Ocean. Dutch and English settlers from the time before the American Revolutionary War , as well as communities of Native Americans, populated the island. The 19th century saw
5895-467: The Gold Coast . This period and the area was immortalized in fiction, such as F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby , which has also been adapted in films . The gradual decline in Indigenous authority reached a critical point when it led to the formal obliteration of acknowledgement for many tribes. A poignant example of this phenomenon occurred in 1910, when a legal decree by New York State pronounced
6026-772: The International Science and Engineering Fair and similar STEM -based academic awards. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in the Town of Oyster Bay ; the Old Westbury campus of New York Institute of Technology ; Zucker School of Medicine in the Village of Hempstead ; and the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research in Manhasset , are prominent life sciences research and academic institutions in Nassau County. The presence of numerous prominent health care systems has made Nassau County
6157-505: The Invasion of Quebec before transferring to the 3rd New York in 1776. Seeing action at Monmouth , Willett then participated in the 1778 Sullivan Campaign . He was made the colonel of the 5th New York in 1780 and the Tryon County militia in 1781, where he fought at Johnstown . On August 22, 1830, Willett died and was buried in the graveyard of Trinity Church . The Willets Point and
6288-593: The Korean Peninsula , leading to the Korean War . Until World War II, most of Nassau County was still farmland, particularly in the eastern portion. Following the war, the county saw an influx of people from the five boroughs of New York City , especially from Brooklyn and Queens, who left their urban dwellings for a more suburban setting. This led to a massive population boom in the county. In 1947, William Levitt built his first planned community in Nassau County, in
6419-609: The Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) began service in 1836 from the South Ferry in Brooklyn , through the remainder of Brooklyn, to Jamaica in Queens . The line was completed to the east end of Long Island in 1844, as part of a plan for transportation to Boston . Competing railroads, soon absorbed by the LIRR, were built along the south shore to accommodate travelers from those more populated areas. For
6550-741: The New York State Park Police . In 1996, the Long Island Rail Road Police Department was consolidated into the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police . The MTA Police patrol Long Island Rail Road tracks, stations and properties. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Police provides enforcement of state environmental laws and regulations. The State University of New York Police provides enforcement for SUNY Old Westbury . The Nassau County Police Department posts
6681-452: The Outer Lands region, is formed largely of two spines of glacial moraine , with a large, sandy outwash plain beyond. These moraines consist of gravel and loose rock left behind during the two most recent pulses of Wisconsin glaciation during the ice ages some 21,000 years ago (19,000 BC). The northern moraine, which directly abuts the North Shore of Long Island at points, is known as
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#17332022851466812-707: The Oyster Bay home of patriot spy Robert Townsend , and the Caroline Church in Setauket , which contains bullet holes from a skirmish known as the Battle of Setauket . Also in existence is a reconstruction of Brooklyn's Old Stone House , on the site of the Maryland 400 's celebrated last stand during the Battle of Long Island . In the 19th century, Long Island was still mainly rural and devoted to agriculture . The predecessor to
6943-616: The Rockaway Peninsula , which was separated from the Town of Hempstead and became part of the city borough). In 1899, following approval from the New York State Legislature , the three towns were separated from Queens County, and the new county of Nassau was constituted. In preparation for the new county, in November 1898, voters had selected Mineola to become the county seat for the new county (before Mineola incorporated as
7074-584: The South , were followed by more recent immigrants from Asia and Latin America . Long Island has many ethnic Irish , Jews , and Italians . In later immigration trends, Asians , Hispanics , Afghans , Arabs , and Indians arrived on Long Island. The westernmost end of Long Island contains the New York City boroughs of Brooklyn (Kings County) and Queens (Queens County). The central and eastern portions contain
7205-409: The U.S. Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 453.2 square miles (1,174 km ), of which 284.7 square miles (737 km ) is land and 168.5 square miles (436 km ) (37%) is water. Nassau County borders the Long Island Sound on the north and the open Atlantic Ocean on the south. The county occupies a portion of Long Island immediately east of the New York City borough of Queens. It
7336-510: The U.S. House of Representatives , where he served until 1791. Francis Lewis from Brookhaven on Long Island, another signer of the Declaration of Independence , had his home destroyed and his wife Elizabeth arrested by the British after the battle of Long Island. George Washington managed her release by having the wives of two wealthy Loyalists from Philadelphia arrested, and then exchanging
7467-426: The suburban Nassau and Suffolk counties. However, colloquial usage of the term "Long Island" usually refers only to Nassau and Suffolk counties. For example, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York has a district named "Long Island (Nassau-Suffolk Metro Division)." At least as late as 1911, locations in Queens were still commonly referred to as being on Long Island. Some institutions in the New York City section of
7598-452: The 18th-most populous island in the world ahead of Ireland , Jamaica , and Hokkaidō . Its population density is 5,859.5 inhabitants per square mile (2,262.4/km ). Long Island is culturally and ethnically diverse , featuring some of the wealthiest and most expensive neighborhoods in the world near the shorelines , as well as working-class areas in all four counties. As of 2022, Kings, Queens, Nassau, and Suffolk counties collectively had
7729-422: The 2010 census. At the 2010 U.S. census , there were 1,339,532 people, 448,528 households, and 340,523 families residing in the county. The population of Nassau County was estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau to have increased by 2.2% to 1,369,514 in 2017, representing 6.9% of the census-estimated State of New York population of 19,849,399 and 17.4% of the census-estimated Long Island population of 7,869,820. At
7860-452: The Auxiliary Police Benevolent Association of Long Island. Nassau County is currently protected and served by 71 independent volunteer or combination paid/volunteer fire departments, organized into 9 battalions. The Nassau County Fire Commission also provides logistical support to all 71 departments. The head of the county's governmental structure is the county executive, a post created in Nassau County in 1938. The current county executive
7991-420: The Cavalry under George Washington . There is a room dedicated to Polish Nobel Prize laureates including Marie Curie and Lech Wałęsa . In the music room there are plaster replicas of Frédéric Chopin 's death mask and of his left hand, brought in from Warsaw by a museum member. One of the most poignant items on display is the blue-and-white striped jacket of a concentration-camp inmate, a Polish prisoner who
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#17332022851468122-431: The Crown by creating him Lord Alexander of Tullibody and Viscount of Stirling . On April 22 of that year Charles told the Plymouth Colony , which had laid claim to Long Island but had not settled it, to cede it to Alexander. When his agent James Farret arrived in New Amsterdam in 1637 to present his claim of English sovereignty, he was arrested and imprisoned in Holland , but later escaped from prison. The Pequot War,
8253-431: The Delaware-Munsee dialect. The eastern group's language is less well-founded, but it is most likely related to the southern New England Algonquian dialect. The kinship system likely kept Long Island natives together with clans in present-day New Jersey , Massachusetts , Connecticut , and Rhode Island . Giovanni da Verrazzano was the first European to record an encounter with the Lenape people, after entering what
8384-433: The Duke's father, King Charles I , to death in 1649. Settlers throughout Suffolk County pressed to stay part of Connecticut, but Governor Sir Edmund Andros threatened to eliminate the settlers' rights to land if they did not yield, which they did by 1676. All of Long Island along with islands between Long Island and Connecticut became part of the Province of New York within the Shire of York . Present-day Suffolk County
8515-669: The Dutch but released after saying they were mistaken about the title. Through Farret, who received Shelter Island and Robins Island , Alexander in turn sold most of the eastern island to the New Haven and Connecticut colonies. As European settlers proliferated on Long Island, the ecosystem underwent significant transformation, and the dynamics between Native Americans and Europeans shifted. The Europeans cleared vast areas of traditional hunting grounds and introduced livestock that damaged Native crops. Europeans also began to encroach on Native land, and this growing proximity heightened tensions. This culminated in Kieft's War , initiated by
8646-408: The English settled on the eastern side, buying land from any sachems who were willing to sell to them. The perspectives on these land purchases likely varied significantly between Native Americans and Europeans. Europeans viewed land transactions as opportunities for exclusive ownership and permanent settlement, while the Algonquian peoples viewed the transaction as temporary and communal. Additionally,
8777-416: The European market, particularly through their labor and the dwindling fur and wampum trades. By the 18th century, most native lands had been seized, leaving only small parcels, and many Indigenous people were relegated to roles as domestics, laborers, guides, and seamen. William Floyd was born on Long Island on December 17, 1734. In 1654, his family emigrated to North America. By the time of Floyd's birth,
8908-457: The Gold Coast was President Theodore Roosevelt , at Sagamore Hill . In 1908, William Kissam Vanderbilt constructed the Long Island Motor Parkway as a toll road through Nassau County. With overpasses and bridges to remove intersections, it was among the first limited access motor highways in the world, and was also used as a racecourse to test the capabilities of the fledgling automobile industry. Nassau County, with its extensive flat land,
9039-414: The Hamptons, and for the Montauk Point Lighthouse at the eastern tip of the island. The Pine Barrens is a preserved pine forest encompassing much of eastern Suffolk County. A detailed geomorphological study of Long Island provides evidence of glacial history of the kame and terminal moraines of the island which were formed by the advance and retreat of two ice sheets . Long Island, as part of
9170-447: The Island Trees section (later renamed Levittown ; this should not be confused with the county's first planned community, which in general is Garden City ). In the 1930s, Robert Moses had engineered curving parkways and parks such as Jones Beach State Park and Bethpage State Park for the enjoyment of city-dwellers; in the 1950s and 1960s the focus turned to alleviating commuter traffic. In 1994, Federal Judge Arthur Spatt declared
9301-421: The Island's key role in the history of aviation. From the 1920s to the 1940s, Long Island began the transformation from backwoods and farms as developers created numerous suburbs. Numerous branches of the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) already enabled commuting from the suburbs to Manhattan. Robert Moses engineered various automobile parkway projects to span the island, and developed beaches and state parks for
9432-773: The Massapequa, saw their influence wane post-King Philip's War in 1675. In the face of escalating tensions between French and English settlers, these Indigenous figures endeavored to mediate and protect their communities. However efforts to maintain land rights were undermined by disease, deceit, infringements of land patents, and cultural misunderstandings. After the Dutch began to colonize Manhattan, many indigenous people moved to Pennsylvania and Delaware . Many of those who stayed behind died from smallpox , which spread to North America via European colonists and resulted in large scale deaths due to lack of antibodies and natural resistance which Eurasian peoples had gained with their exposure to
9563-498: The Montaukett "tribe" extinct, ignoring the presence and testimonies of its members in court. Such decrees were used to facilitate the encroachment on Native American lands with greater ease, granting legal legitimacy to the acts of settler colonialism. In the absence of legally recognized Indigenous territories, settlers could assert ownership over Native lands without engaging in negotiations or offering compensation. This act represented
9694-542: The Nassau County Board of Supervisors unconstitutional and directed that a 19-member legislature be formed. Republicans won 13 seats in the election and chose Bruce Blakeman as the first Presiding Officer (Speaker). According to a Forbes magazine 2012 survey, residents of Nassau County have the 12th highest median household annual income in the country and the highest in the state. In the 1990s, however, Nassau County experienced substantial budget problems, forcing
9825-576: The Native Americans by the English colonists, and townships controlled whatever land had not already been distributed. The courthouse in Jamaica was torn down by the British during the American Revolution to use the materials to build barracks. In 1784, following the American Revolutionary War , the Town of Hempstead was split in two, when Patriots in the northern part formed the new Town of North Hempstead , leaving Loyalist majorities in
9956-455: The Native Americans governance style of weak leadership and undefined hunting grounds, did not align with the European's need for strict boundaries. This confusion resulted in conflict and boundary disputes for many years after. In 1640, English colonists attempted to settle Cow Bay in what is present-day Port Washington . After an alert by Native leader Penhawitz , the colonists were arrested by
10087-491: The New England Colonies, vied to fill this vacuum, with the colonists eventually prevailing over their indigenous rivals. In 1639, Lion Gardiner secured the first purchase of eastern Long Island land, an islet off of present-day East Hampton . The period between 1636 and 1648 marked a time of land acquisition in Long Island by Dutch and English colonists. The Dutch occupied a small portion of western Long Island while
10218-743: The Old Brookville Police Department. The Village of Upper Brookville joined the Muttontown Police Department which was subsequently renamed the Muttontown-Upper Brookville (MUB) Police Department. The former Old Brookville Police headquarters is now the Upper Brookville village hall and also a substation for the Muttontown-Upper Brookville Police Department. In 2006, village leaders in the county seat of Mineola expressed dissatisfaction with
10349-512: The Space Age. Grumman was one of the major contractors that helped to build the early lunar flight and Space Shuttle vehicles. Although the aircraft companies eventually ended their Long Island operations and the early airports were all later closed. Roosevelt Field, for instance, became the site of a major shopping mall , the Cradle of Aviation Museum on the site of the former Mitchel Field documents
10480-510: The Town of Hempstead. About 1787, a new Queens County Courthouse was erected (and later completed) in the new Town of North Hempstead, near present-day Mineola (now in Nassau County), known then as Clowesville. The Long Island Rail Road reached as far east as Hicksville in 1837, but did not proceed to Farmingdale until 1841 due to the Panic of 1837 . The 1850 census was the first in which
10611-794: The United States. County police services are provided by the Nassau County Police Department . The cities of Glen Cove and Long Beach , as well as a number of villages, are not members of the county police district and maintain their own police forces. The following village police departments exist in Nassau County: Brookville (Brookville P.D. provides police protection for Brookville, Matinecock, Mill Neck and Cove Neck), Centre Island, Floral Park, Freeport, Garden City, Great Neck Estates, Hempstead, Kensington, Kings Point, Lake Success, Lynbrook, Malverne, Muttontown-Upper Brookville, Old Brookville, Old Westbury, Oyster Bay Cove, Rockville Centre and Sands Point. The Port Washington Police District
10742-641: The Village of Muttontown. On June 1, 2022, the Old Brookville Police Department reverted to serving only the Village of Old Brookville and moved its headquarters to the grounds of the Old Brookville village hall. The Village of Brookville formed a new police department, established headquarters on the grounds of the Brookville Nature Park and assumed policing duties for the villages of Brookville, Matinecock, Mill Neck and Cove Neck, that were formerly served by
10873-454: The accompanying Mets-Willets Point station is named in his honor. Early in the American Revolutionary War , the island was captured by the British from American troops under George Washington in the battle of Long Island, a major battle after which Washington narrowly evacuated his troops from Brooklyn Heights under a dense fog. After the British victory on Long Island, many Patriots withdrew, leaving mostly Loyalists behind. The island
11004-741: The beginning of the 21st century, a number of Long Island communities had converted their assets from industrial uses to post-industrial roles. Brooklyn reversed decades of population decline and factory closings to resurface as a globally renowned cultural and intellectual hotbed. Gentrification has impacted much of Brooklyn and a portion of Queens , relocating a sizeable swath of New York City's population. On eastern Long Island, Port Jefferson , Patchogue , and Riverhead evolved from inactive shipbuilding and mill towns into tourist-centric commercial centers with cultural attractions. The descendants of late 19th and early 20th-century immigrants from southern and Eastern Europe , and Black migrants from
11135-627: The century from 1830 until 1930, total population roughly doubled every twenty years, with more dense development in areas near Manhattan. Several cities were incorporated, such as the "City of Brooklyn" in Kings County, and Long Island City in Queens. Until completion of the Brooklyn Bridge in 1883, the only means of travel between Long Island and the rest of the United States was by boat or ship. As other bridges and tunnels were constructed, areas of
11266-476: The close of the 19th century, wealthy industrialists who made vast fortunes during the Gilded Age began to construct large "baronial" country estates in Nassau County communities along the North Shore of Long Island, favoring the many properties with water views. Proximity to Manhattan attracted such men as J. P. Morgan , William K. Vanderbilt , and Charles Pratt , whose estates led to this area being nicknamed
11397-486: The correspondence between many Polish-American writers, painters, sculptors, photographers, historians, and military officers. Quantity: ca. 50 cu ft (1.4 m). Museum holdings include also old maps, as well as the library and the collection of artifacts from the Polish Institute of Arts and Sciences of America about the lives of people of Polish heritage. Original photographic and lithographic displays, at
11528-399: The county to near bankruptcy . Thus, the county government increased taxes to prevent a takeover by the state of New York, leading to the county having high property taxes . Nevertheless, on January 27, 2011, a State of New York oversight board seized control of Nassau County's finances, saying the wealthy and heavily taxed county had failed to balance its $ 2.6 billion budgets. According to
11659-557: The disease. Native American land deeds recorded by the Dutch from 1636 state that the Indians referred to Long Island as Sewanhaka . Sewanhacky and Sewanhacking were other spellings in the transliteration of the Lenape . Sewan was one of the terms for wampum , commemorative stringed shell beads, for a while also used as currency by colonists in trades with the Lenape, and
11790-621: The eastern region of Long Island was first settled by the English, the western portion of Long Island was settled by the Dutch; until 1664, the jurisdiction of Long Island was split between the Dutch and English, roughly at the present border between Nassau County and Suffolk County . The Dutch founded six towns in present-day Brooklyn beginning in 1645. These included: Brooklyn , Gravesend , Flatlands , Flatbush , New Utrecht , and Bushwick . The Dutch had granted an English settlement in Hempstead, New York (now in Nassau County) in 1644, but after
11921-641: The easternmost point of the South Fork (and all of Long Island) is Montauk Point . Long Island's East End remains semi-rural, as in Greenport on the North Fork and some of the periphery of the area prominently known as The Hamptons , although summer tourism swells the population in those areas. The North Fork has developed a burgeoning wine region . In addition, the South Fork is known for beach communities, including
12052-500: The enjoyment of residents and visitors from the city. Gradually, development also followed these parkways, with various communities springing up along the more traveled routes. After World War II , suburban development increased with incentives under the G.I. Bill , and Long Island's population skyrocketed, mostly in Nassau County and western Suffolk County. Second and third-generation children of immigrants moved out to eastern Long Island to settle in new housing developments built during
12183-593: The family was established and wealthy. He was a member of the Suffolk County Militia in the beginning of the American Revolution , and rose to the rank of Major General. In 1774, he was chosen as a representative from New York to the First Continental Congress . After the battle of Long Island , his estate was confiscated by the British army and was used as a cavalry base. In 1789, Floyd was elected to
12314-588: The featured exhibits is Long Island's own Frank Gabreski the top U.S. ace in the European Theater during WW2. The current director is Gerald Kochan. Archival holdings of the Museum include artifacts related to the history of Poland and Polish American community such as the extensive Henry Archacki Archive, and the collection of Polish-American art (ca. 1900–1990). Research materials concerning Polish history and culture include records of Polish American participation in
12445-530: The final stage in the thorough domination and displacement of Native American communities on Long Island. Charles Lindbergh lifted off from Roosevelt Field with his Spirit of Saint Louis for his historic 1927 solo flight to Europe, one of the events that helped to establish Long Island as an early center of aviation during the 20th century. Other famous aviators such as Wiley Post originated notable flights from Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn, which became
12576-402: The first major airport serving New York City before it was superseded by the opening of La Guardia Airport in 1939. Long Island was also the site of Mitchel Air Force Base and was a major center of military aircraft production by companies such as Grumman and Fairchild Aircraft during World War II and for some decades afterward. Aircraft production on Long Island extended all the way into
12707-545: The geographic Long Island itself was on October 21, 1640, when Southold was established by the Rev. John Youngs and settlers from New Haven , Connecticut. Peter Hallock, one of the settlers, drew the long straw and was granted the honor to step ashore first. He is considered the first New World settler on Long Island. Southampton was settled in the same year. Hempstead followed in 1644, East Hampton in 1648, Huntington in 1653, Brookhaven in 1655, and Smithtown in 1665. While
12838-406: The heat in the warmer months and limit the frequency and severity of thunderstorms. Nassau County has a moderately sunny climate, averaging between 2,400 and 2,800 hours of sunshine annually. The hardiness zone is 7b. [1] Nassau County borders the following counties: In July 2017, the approval was granted by state legislators to the plan proposed by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo to add
12969-486: The history of Poles on Long Island ," she said, "but it's very hard because the population is so scattered." The Museum puts a strong emphasis on famous people of Polish ancestry with a portrait of Pope John Paul II displayed prominently along with that of Tadeusz Kościuszko wearing the uniform of Brigadier General of the American Revolutionary Army , and Kazimierz Pułaski as General Commander of
13100-566: The infusion of the wealthiest Americans in the so-called Gold Coast of the North Shore , where wealthy Americans and Europeans in the Gilded Age built lavish country homes. East of Riverhead in Suffolk County, Long Island splits into two peninsulas (colloquially referred to as "Forks"), which are separated by the Peconic Bay . The easternmost point of the North Fork is Orient Point , and
13231-507: The island began to be developed as residential suburbs, first around the railroads that offered commuting into the city. On January 1, 1898, Kings County and portions of Queens County were consolidated into the City of Greater New York , abolishing all cities and towns within them. The easternmost 280 square miles (730 km ) of Queens County, which were not part of the consolidation plan, separated from Queens in 1899 to form Nassau County. At
13362-454: The island use the island's names, like Long Island University and Long Island Jewish Medical Center . In 1985, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in United States v. Maine that Long Island is integrally related to the mainland enough that Long Island Sound and the western part of Block Island Sound constitute a "juridical bay" for the purpose of determining maritime state boundaries. In
13493-544: The leading suburban destination in the U.S. for Chinese immigrants . Likewise, the Long Island Koreatown originated in Flushing , Queens, and is expanding eastward along Northern Boulevard and into Nassau County. The New York Times cited a 2002 study by the non-profit group ERASE Racism, which determined that Nassau, and its neighboring county, Suffolk, as the most de facto racially segregated suburbs in
13624-675: The level of police coverage provided by the county force and actively explored seceding from the police district and having the village form its own police force. A referendum in December 2006 decisively defeated the proposal. Since the Long Island State Parkway Police was disbanded in 1980, all of Nassau County's state parkways have been patrolled by Troop L of the New York State Police . State parks in Nassau are patrolled by
13755-475: The major north–south controlled-access highways traversing Nassau County. Nassau County also has a public bus network known as NICE (Nassau Inter-County Express, formerly MTA Long Island Bus) that operates routes throughout the county into Queens and Suffolk counties. 24 hour service is provided on the n4, n6, and most recently the n40/41 lines. At the 2019 American Community Survey , the population of Nassau County stood at 1,356,924, an increase of 17,392 since
13886-518: The more established Little India enclaves in Queens. Rapidly growing Chinatowns have developed in Brooklyn and Queens , as did earlier European immigrants, such as the Irish and Italians. As of 2019, the Asian population in Nassau County had grown by 39% since 2010, to an estimated 145,191 individuals. There were approximately 50,000 Indian Americans and 40,000 Chinese Americans . Nassau County has become
14017-512: The most expensive county and one of the highest income counties in the U.S., and the most affluent in New York state, with four of the nation's top ten towns by median income located in the county. As of 2024, the median home price overall in Nassau County is approximately US$ 800,000, while the Gold Coast of Nassau County features some of the world's most expensive real estate. Nassau County high school students often feature prominently as winners of
14148-591: The mug shots of DWI offenders as press releases on their website. This practice has come under the scrutiny of residents, media, and those pictured in these press releases. This practice has been criticized as being able to cost potential employees, students, or public figures their positions. County correctional services and enforcement of court orders are provided by the Nassau County Sheriff's Department . New York State Court Officers provide security for courthouses . The Nassau County Auxiliary Police are
14279-401: The name of Long Island itself, and was the name most mentioned after the new county was proposed in 1875. The area now designated as Nassau County was originally the eastern 70% of Queens County , one of the original twelve counties formed in 1683, and was then contained within two towns: Hempstead and Oyster Bay . In 1784, the Town of North Hempstead, was formed through secession by
14410-680: The newly emerging landscapes, hunting large game and gathering from the abundant natural resources. Following the Paleo-Indian period, the Archaic Period marked a broadening of subsistence strategies. The inhabitants of Long Island diversified their diet, exploiting the rich marine and terrestrial environments. The main source of protein came from the sea, consisting of fish and shellfish, oysters being of particular importance. Deer and other wild game and various plant foods also became part of their regular diet. The archaeological record also reveals
14541-640: The northern portions of the Town of Hempstead. Nassau County was formed in 1899 by the division of Queens County, after the western portion of Queens had become a borough of New York City in 1898, as the three easternmost towns seceded from the county. When the first European settlers arrived, among the Native Americans to occupy the present area of Nassau County were the Marsapeque, Matinecoc, and Sacatogue . Dutch settlers in New Netherland predominated in
14672-468: The only two administrative divisions in Nassau County identified as cities. From the early 1900s until the Depression and the early 1930s, many hilly farmlands on the North Shore were transformed into luxurious country estates for wealthy New Yorkers, with the area receiving the "Gold Coast" moniker and becoming the setting of F. Scott Fitzgerald 's 1925 novel The Great Gatsby . One summer resident of
14803-463: The popular media, this has been often misinterpreted as a ruling that Long Island is legally not an island. The United States Board on Geographic Names still considers Long Island an island, because it is surrounded by water. There are few tall buildings on Long Island . Nassau County is more densely developed than Suffolk County. While affluent overall, Nassau County has pockets of more pronounced wealth with estates covering greater acreage within
14934-416: The population of the three western towns (Flushing, Jamaica, and Newtown) exceeded that of the three eastern towns that are now part of Nassau County. Concerns were raised about the condition of the old courthouse and the inconvenience of travel and accommodations, with the three eastern and three western towns divided on the location for the construction of a new one. Around 1874, the seat of county government
15065-482: The population, (as compared to 2% of the total U.S. population). Italian Americans also made up a large portion of Nassau's population. The five most reported ancestries were Italian (23%), Irish (14%), German (7%), Indian (5%), and Polish (4%). The county's population was highest at the 1970 U.S. census . More recently, a Little India community has emerged in Hicksville , Nassau County, spreading eastward from
15196-455: The population. In 2019, Nassau County's racial and ethnic makeup was 58.2% non-Hispanic white, 11.3% Black or African American, 0.2% American Indian or Alaska Native, 10.3% Asian, 0.7% some other race, and 1.9% two or more races. The Hispanic and Latin American population increased to 17.5% of the population. In 2011, there were about 230,000 Jewish people in Nassau County, representing 17.2% of
15327-474: The post-war boom. Levittown became noted as a suburb, where housing construction was simplified to be produced on a large scale. These provided opportunities for white World War II military veterans returning home to buy houses and start a family. In his 1966 book, My Private America ( Moja prywatna Ameryka ), Kazimierz Wierzyński , a Polish poet who could not go back to Poland after World War II, describes Polish farmers living there, as "walking novels". At
15458-480: The primary east–west controlled-access highways in Nassau County. Northern Boulevard (New York State Route 25A), Hillside Avenue (New York State Route 25B), Jericho Turnpike (New York State Route 25), New York State Route 24 , and Sunrise Highway (New York State Route 27) are also major east–west commercial thoroughfares across the county. The Meadowbrook State Parkway , Wantagh State Parkway , and Seaford-Oyster Bay Expressway (New York State Route 135) are
15589-612: The reading room, are held during special events throughout the year. The Polish American Museum is a unique educational resource designed to familiarize its visitors with the culture and folk heritage of the Polish people. It aspires to illustrate the contributions of people of Polish heritage not only to America, but also to humanity. 40°49′45.44″N 73°41′23.56″W / 40.8292889°N 73.6898778°W / 40.8292889; -73.6898778 Nassau County, New York Nassau County ( / ˈ n æ s ɔː / NASS -aw )
15720-579: The two for Mrs. Lewis. Marinus Willett , of Jamaica, Queens enlisted in the colonial militia after the French and Indian War broke out in 1754. He participated in the Ticonderoga campaign and the capture of Fort Frontenac in 1758. Joining the revolutionary Sons of Liberty in the 1770s, Willett shortly thereafter enlisted in the Continental Army in 1775. Serving in the 1st New York , he took part in
15851-595: The value of New England's fur market, forged long-term alliances with the Algonquians in 1613, ushering in permanent settlements. By 1621, the Dutch West India Company established itself in the Northeast. The Dutch West India Company established a foothold in the Northeast, initiating a lucrative trade in wampum —beads of significant cultural and economic importance to Native tribes across the Northeast. The wampum
15982-495: The western portion of Long Island, while English settlers from Connecticut occupied the eastern portion. Until 1664, Long Island was split, roughly at the present border between Nassau and Suffolk counties, between the Dutch in the west and Connecticut claiming the east. The Dutch did grant an English settlement in Hempstead (now in western Nassau), but drove settlers from the present-day eastern Nassau hamlet of Oyster Bay as part of
16113-555: Was 4,655 inhabitants per square mile (1,797/km ). In the 2010 census, there were 468,346 housing units at an average density of 1,598 per square mile (617/km ). In 2010, the racial makeup of the county was 73.0% White (65.5% non-Hispanic white ), 10.1% African American , 0.2% Native American , 7.6% Asian (3.0% Indian, 1.8% Chinese, 1.0% Korean, 0.7% Filipino, 0.1% Japanese, 0.1% Vietnamese, 0.9% Other Asian), 0.03% Pacific Islander , 5.6% from other races , and 2.4% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 15.6% of
16244-434: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.94. The average family size was 3.38. In 2010, the population was 23.3% under the age of 18. 18.7% were 62 years of age or older. The median age was 41.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.4 males. In 2019, there were 474,165 housing units and 446,977 family households. From 2015 to 2019, there
16375-422: Was a British stronghold until the end of the war in 1783. General Washington based his intelligence activities on Long Island, due to the western part of the island's proximity to the British military headquarters in New York City. The Culper Ring included agents operating between Setauket and Manhattan. This ring alerted Washington to valuable British secrets, including the treason of Benedict Arnold and
16506-483: Was an average of 2.99 persons per household, and 21.4% of the population was under 18 years of age. At the 2019 American Community Survey, Nassau had a median household income of $ 116,100. The per capita income was $ 51,422. About 5.6% of the population lived at or below the poverty line. The median income for a household in the county in 2010 was $ 72,030. and the median income for a family was $ 81,246. These figures had risen to $ 87,658 and $ 101,661 respectively according to
16637-757: Was designated as the East Riding (of Yorkshire), present-day Brooklyn was part of the West Riding , and present-day Queens and Nassau were part of the larger North Riding . In 1683, Yorkshire was dissolved and the three original counties on Long Island were established: Kings, Queens, and Suffolk. Following the European colonization of the Americas , including Long Island, the Algonquian peoples found themselves increasingly marginalized, their ancient hunting grounds cleared for agriculture, and their economic systems integrated into
16768-664: Was held by the Germans in World War II, donated by a patron who survived as many as seven different camps in 1944–1945, which is now a part of the Holocaust exhibit. One annex of the museum, that has been receiving visitor accolades is the CMS Annex. The CMS (Center for Military Studies Annex) features the military stories of Poles and Polish Americans that took part in the many wars and campaigns that shaped both US and Polish history. Among
16899-461: Was moved to Long Island City from Mineola. As early as 1875, representatives of the three eastern towns began advocating the separation of the three eastern towns from Queens, with some proposals also including the towns of Huntington and Babylon (in Suffolk County). In 1898, the western portion of Queens County became a borough of the City of Greater New York , leaving the eastern portion
17030-481: Was primarily made by Long Island Native Americans. The Dutch would thus engage in a triangular trade: purchasing large quantities of wampum from Long Island, exchanging wampum for fur with inland tribes, and shipping the fur back to Europe. This triangular trade created peace amongst the Europeans and the Native Americans for decades. In 1636, Charles I of England , a Stuart , rewarded Scottish courtier , diplomat, and colonial governor William Alexander 's service to
17161-555: Was the site of many aviation firsts. Military aviators for both World Wars were trained on the Hempstead Plains at installations such as Mitchel Air Force Base , and a number of successful aircraft companies were established. Charles Lindberg took off for Paris from Roosevelt Field in 1927, completing the first non-stop trans-Atlantic flight from the United States. Grumman (which in 1986 employed 23,000 people on Long Island ) built many planes for World War II, and later contributed
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