Time Machine on the South Shore of Long Island
While Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory never successfully built a time machine, a visit to the Long Island Maritime Museum in West Sayville offers the next best thing. Stepping onto the 13-acre grounds along the Great South Bay, visitors are transported back over a century to the era of the Baymen and their cherished maritime vessels.
In an age before 3D printers and power tools, boats were crafted by hand from timber and hand-planed planks. At the museum, that legacy remains vibrant. By stepping into the museum’s "time machines," guests can experience firsthand how vessels were constructed over 100 years ago, as history and craftsmanship truly come alive.
Bob Groom Moonbeam Shop: This workshop is a hub for tradition, where volunteer craftsmen and women build rowing and sailing dinghies from historical plans and dedicate their time to small craft restoration.
Frank F. Penney Building: Dedicated to the construction and assembly of larger vessels and fine craft components. While modern amenities like band saws and table saws are used, the shop maintains its authentic atmosphere, warmed by a wood stove during the cooler months.
Ockers Marine Transportation Center: Serving as the facility for larger preservation projects, a marine railway allows vessels to be hauled from the water into the cavernous boathouse. This space offers a rare glimpse into the vanished world of traditional marine boat shops.
These three buildings, along with the museum’s various other exhibits, provide an immersive look into the living history of the South Shore’s boat-building traditions. For more information visit www.LIMaritime.org
