Town Archives Open For Public Viewing

Historic moments which forever changed the history of Huntington and Long Island are brought to life at the Town Clerk's Archives at Town Hall.

During the month of October, residents will have a unique opportunity to view some of the town's most historical documents in their original form at the archives — including the original town deed from 1653.

From a deal struck more than 350 years ago by a group of men from Oyster Bay for land East of Old Country Road up to the Huntington Harbor with Native Americans of the Matinecock tribe, the town's original deed is currently housed in a highly-secured, climate-controlled underground vault.

"It's one thing to see them scanned on the computer, but to see the original up close, you close your eyes and can imagine when the natives sold off their land, it's mind-boggling," said Town Clerk Jo-Ann Raia, the keeper of the archives along with Town Archivist Antonia Mattheou, who holds degrees in Archival Management and Historical Editing from New York University.

"To go through documents like these, it brings so much color and imagination to history," says Mattheou, originally of Greece.

Mattheou said few are granted access to the town's archives, though the office will soon accomadate researchers from Quebec who have located an ancestor who lived to the age of 84 in the town during the late 19th century.

Along with the original deed, Raia said other favorite artifacts in the collection include Revolutionary War claims, which were "IOU's" from when Lloyd Neck was occupied by British troops and the Strays/Earmarks book from 1745.

Raia said residents are encouraged to contribute artifacts to the "World War II Memorial," to be held at Town Hall. She said all items will be returned after the exhibit which runs Jan. 31.

For the month of October, the archives are open to the public on Tuesday's and Thursdays at Town Hall from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.