About Us

The Sagtikos Manor Historical Society was founded in 1963 by the then Islip Town Historian, George L. Weeks, Jr. and a small group interested in preserving the rich history of a growing and changing suburban area. The Society is chartered by the Regent of the University of the State of New York. The charter states the intent and purposes of the Sagtikos Manor Historical Society.

• To preserve and work for the preservation of historic buildings and landmarks in Suffolk County, New York, and to acquire, own and maintain one or more such landmarks and historical building, to maintain a museum and exhibit therein letters and other written material and artifacts of historical interest.

• To promote and encourage historical research, to foster and promote public knowledge of and interest in local and natural history. At the time the society was founded the Manor was still owned by Robert David Lion Gardiner. Mr. Gardiner was the chief source of the information used by the Society’s docents in narrating the tours of the Manor. In recent years much more research has been done and our knowledge of the Gardiner-Thompson family as well as the house and grounds has greatly increased.

• Suffolk County acquired the Manor in 2002 to ensure its preservation. The county maintains the house and grounds and the society is contracted with the county to give tours of the Manor and to cooperate in its restoration. Since the acquisition, the society has been able to fund many restorations both in the house and on the grounds as the result of fund raisers, grants and generous donations. All monies raised by the society at the Manor go to the restoration program.

• The G.L. Weeks Long Island History Collection, maintained by the society, contains reference material pertaining to the history of Islip Town and Long Island. It is housed in the Higbie Lane Community Center in West Islip and the collection is available to individuals by appointment only.

Board of Directors

Officers:

President: Carl Tesoro

1st Vice President: Maria Peorale

2nd Vice President: Celeste Topazio

Treasurer: Pam Van Cott

Recording Secretary: Karen Williams

Trustees:

Virginia Bonfiglio

Carol Canavan

Phyllis Chan Carr

Donna Devine

Vivian Hollinger

Kathy Olsen

Cindy Theiss

Patricia Walsh