A GUIDE TO THE

BELLMORE HISTORICAL

ASSOCIATION COLLECTION

Collection Abstract: The Bellmore Historical Association was founded in 2015 after the Bellmore Historical Society dissolved in 2014. The BHA absorbed much of the Historical Society’s collection and, along with gifts from other donors, now comprise the BHA collection. Holdings include artifacts, correspondence, original documents, photographs, pamphlets, programs, newspapers, bulletins and maps relating to the history of Bellmore, New York.

Collection Title: BELLMORE HISTORICAL ASSOCATION COLLECTION Inclusive Dates: 1875-present Size: Source: The Bellmore Historical Society, Bellmore Life Newspaper, and various other donors. Repository: Bellmore Memorial Library

BELLMORE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION COLLECTION

BACKGROUND NOTE:

The Bellmore Historical Association (BHA) was formed in 2015 as a joint partnership between the Bellmore Memorial Library, the Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores, and the North Bellmore Public Library. The BHA picked up where the Historical Society of the Bellmores left off when it was dissolved at the end of 2014. This organization has been granted its provisional charter in 1976 and had as its mission the collection and preservation of historical records, relics, and other memorabilia as well as promoting public interest in local history. The BHA continues commitment to this mission. Artifacts in the BHA collection are currently preserved and archived at the Bellmore Memorial Library. SCOPE AND CONTENT

The Bellmore Historical Association Collection is made up of artifacts, correspondence, original documents, photographs, pamphlets, programs, newspapers, bulletins and maps dating from 1875 to the present relating to Bellmore. The collection covers a range of topics like the American Legion, the Tricentennial celebration in 1976, the history of the Bellmore Memorial Library, houses of worship, businesses, and schools in Bellmore, the Long Island Railroad, the Sunrise Village, and High Hill Beach. Materials of interest include the legal papers of Thomas D. Smith, a prominent Bellmore resident and the town supervisor in the late 19th century, time tables and tickets from the Long Island Railroad, postcards of Bellmore from the early 20th century.

ORGANIZATION:

The collection is arranged into 8 record groups. Each record group is then organized by subject.

RECORD GROUP I: Objects/ Artifacts RECORD GROUPII: Correspondence RECORD GROUPIII: Documents RECORD GROUPIV: Photographs/Postcards/Negatives RECORD GROUPV: Books/Pamphlets/Programs RECORD GROUPVI: Newspapers

RECORD GROUPVII: Maps RECORD GROUPVIII: Bulletins

RECORD GROUP DESCRIPTIONS:

RECORD GROUP I: Objects/ Artifacts Artifacts in the collection include a Bellmore Boys’ Band hat, a glass milk bottle, a loving cup awarded to the Bellmore Merrymakers and two desk bells of Thomas D. Smith.

RECORD GROUP II: Correspondence Includes correspondence of Thomas D. Smith, the Bellmore Life, the Bellmore Memorial Library and the Historical Society of the Bellmores. RECORD GROUP III: Documents Includes deeds, checks, contracts and other legal documents belonging to Thomas D. Smith, notes and bylaws from the Historical Society of the Bellmores, financial records of various businesses such as the Rest Inn, and a few wills from Bellmore residents from the early 20th century. RECORD GROUP IV: Photographs/Postcards/Negatives Original photographs of Bellmore streets, buildings, people as well as original postcards of Bellmore dating back to the early 1900s. RECORD GROUP V: Books/Pamphlets/Programs Among the programs in the collection are various Bellmore Commencement Exercise Programs from the late 1920s, a few Mepham concert programs from 1978 and the dedication of the post office program from 1968. Also included in the collection are some promotional pamphlets from when the Bellmore Memorial Library expanded in 1967 and some pamphlets providing a general history of Bellmore. RECORD GROUP VI: Newspapers Includes newspapers pertaining to the Bellmore community such as the Bellmore Life (1964 to 2013), Bellmore Home News (1964-1967), and the Bellmore Advocate (1934). RECORD GROUP VII: Maps Original and copied maps of Bellmore and the surrounding area dating back to 1873.

RECORD GROUP VIII: Bulletins Includes two American Legion bulletins, the Bellmore Post Bulletin from 1935 and Nassau County Legionnaire News Bulletin.

BOX LIST: RECORD GROUP I: Objects/ Artifacts Box # Folder # Subject/Contents

1 1 1976 Tricentennial Celebration 2 Bellmore Memorial Library 3 Calendars

4 Businesses 5 Long Island Railroad

RECORD GROUP II: Correspondence Box # Folder # Subject/Contents

1 1 Thomas D. Smith 2 Bellmore Memorial Library 3 Bellmore Life 4 Businesses

RECORD GROUP III: Documents Box # Folder # Subject/Contents

1 1 American Legion 2 Benjamin Birdsall 3 Bellmore Memorial Library 4 General Bellmore History 5 Houses of Worship 6 Advertisements 7 Business/Commercial 8 Landmarks 9 Fire Department 10 Schools 11 Genealogical Data 12 Thomas D. Smith Papers 13 Genealogical Information 14 Long Island Railroad 15 Long Island History

RECORD GROUP IV: Photographs/Postcards/Negatives Box # Folder # Subject/Contents

2

RECORD GROUP V: Books/Pamphlets/Programs Box # Folder # Subject/Contents

3 1 Schools 2 American Legion 3 Bellmore Memorial Library 4 Houses of Worship

5 Commercial 6 General History of Bellmore 7 Tricentennial 8 Post Office 9 Long Island Railroad 10 Long Island History 11 Historical Society of the Bellmores

RECORD GROUP VI: Newspapers Box # Folder # Subject/Contents

2 1 Military 2 Bellmore Advocate 3 Schools 4 General History of Bellmore 5 Events

RECORD GROUP VII: Maps Box # Folder # Subject/Contents

RECORD GROUP VIII: Bulletins Box # Folder # Subject/Contents

2 1 American Legion