Long Island Discovery

LONG ISLAND...118 miles of elongated land stretching from Manhattan to Montauk, surrounded by the seemingly endless surf of the ocean and the sound. How did this Island become what it is today?

Long Island Discovery, a multimedia presentation, chronicles the colorful history of the people, places, and events that shaped Long Island's history. From the massive glaciers that etched its landscape and determined its geography, to the ever-evolving communities that indelibly mark their residents with the lessons of life.

At the same time, Long Island Discovery speaks to the future - to the children who are learning to respect their rich, common heritage and preserve it for generations to come.

Conceived and presented by Cablevision as a means to enhance the education of school children studying local history, Long Island Discovery also captures the wide-eyed wonder in all of us. Adults and children alike will marvel at the exploits of Captain Kidd, cheer the ingenious Anna Strong, an American Revolutionary spy who used her wash line to send secret messages to the colonists; and contemplate the poetry of Jupiter Hammon, the first African-American to have his literary works published. Here, too, are Long Islanders known around the world and those who soared above it: Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th U.S. President; William Levitt, the architect of suburban living; Leroy Grumman, founder of the company that created the lunar module for NASA; Charles A. Lindbergh, whose historic solo flight across the Atlantic brought newfound fame to the region.

Long Island Discovery's multitude of sounds and images is accompanied by thought-provoking commentary from prominent Long Island historians, anthropologists, and lifelong residents. An explosion of local history like no other, Long Island Discovery celebrates all that is Long Island and all that Long Island is to you.

How To Schedule a Visit

There is no charge to experience Long Island Discovery. While the presentation is specially designed to complement fourth-grade social studies curricula, teachers with students at any grade level and in any course of study are invited to visit Long Island Discovery. The public is also invited to view Long Island Discovery - call ahead for availability.

Show times (September-June):
Monday-Friday, 10 AM, 11 AM, and 1 PM
Saturday, 1 PM and 3 PM (call for holiday hours)
Sunday, closed

Show times (July and August):
Monday-Saturday, 1 PM and 3 PM (call for holiday hours)
Sunday, closed

Call (516) 367-5170 for group reservations.