The renovated and reconfigured Montauk Library will host its official ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sunday at noon.
The institution's new, state-of-the-art facilities, complete with sustainable elements, look more than ready to deal with the changing future. Yet it's the past, said Denise DiPaolo, the library's director, that has especially captivated the library's patrons, especially the older ones.
"Since the library reopened in February, many local residents have visited the new Local History Exhibit center with rave reviews," Ms. DiPaolo wrote in an email. "I've noticed that our patrons are touched by the fact that we were able to bring the archives alive through the slideshows and the oral history audio shows."
The Local History Exhibit Center is an interactive gallery space that celebrates Montauk's history, including its years as a sleepy fishing village and as a bootlegger's haven during Prohibition. On the Oral History Wall, visitors can scan QR codes on their phones to learn more about the hamlet's colorful characters of the past, or sit and watch short films of the old days, projected on a big screen.
Describing the impact of the history center on some of her visitors, Ms. DiPaolo wrote, "For example, Dick White had a story for almost every person on the Oral History Wall. And Jack Perna identified himself as a young altar boy in one of the Blessing of the Fleet photos. Julia Prince was emotional when she spotted images that reminded her of her childhood."
Also moved was Joe Gaviola, Montauk's Lighthouse keeper and president of the Montauk Historical Society. "So I walked in and I see Bob Tuma speaking, and it was emotional," he said by phone recently, speaking of Robert Tuma, a longtime charterboat captain. "It was a bit surreal, but it was an emotional moment when you see someone that you'd spent so much time with. And here he is, speaking. And what I thought was really interesting also, is that they [the fishermen] wore hats, they all wore hats, and all the time. And when they took them off, there's a white line on their heads. So — I'd never seen Bob without his hat on — I see him as he's talking on the screen, and the top of his head is a little whiter! And it just stopped me. It was the emotional, unexpected moment for me, walking in and recognizing how important this oral history is for Montauk to have. I absolutely want to get back and view all the other ones."
Diane Hausman had a similar experience when she and her sister visited the library for the first time. "The library took my breath away. And we were watching a video in the history section, when all of a sudden our grandparents popped up." Her grandparents Abraham and Julia Hausman built Montauk's Sands Motel in 1951, she said; it had just six rooms. Today it has 42 units that Ms. Hausman, her sister, and various family members still own and manage. In the video, there are pictures of the original motel, along with her grandparents. "Which kind of just blows me away, seeing that."
Sunday's ribbon-cutting ceremony is expected to last about an hour and a half, Ms. DiPaolo said. Among the highlights: A performance by the Montaukett Indian Nation Women's Circle Dancers, greetings from tribal officials, the national anthem sung by Faith Mullaly, a Montauk School student; and short addresses by Assemblyman Fred Thiele Jr. and East Hampton Town Supervisor Peter Van Scoyoc. Father Bill Hoffmann of St. Therese of Lisieux Catholic Church will give the invocation.
"But one of the real kickers," said Ms. DiPaolo by phone yesterday, "will be the unveiling of a large work of textile art that was commissioned [for the library] and created by the textile artist Susan Schrott. I don't even want to call it a quilt, because it's way beyond a quilt. The thread work is just so intricate, and she's been working on it for months and months. We're unveiling it on Sunday and she'll be available to answer questions!"
