Developing a new exhibit for a Museum requires the skills of many talented people. Collaboration is an important part of creating an exhibition.

    Saltwater Stories Advisors

    Advisors are people who are experts in the field, have personal experiences, or a professional background that applies to a project. More than ten advisors are sharing their knowledge to help develop Saltwater Stories. Meet some of these advisors!

    Josephine Smith

    The connection to the water and the importance of protecting it is a value that Saltwater Stories advisor Josephine Smith (Director, Cultural Enrichment Program Coordinator, Shinnecock Indian Education Program) wants to pass on to the next generation through LICM's exhibit.

     

    Sarah Cahill

    Sarah is the Director of Museum Education and Outreach at the Mystic Seaport Museum in Connecticut. Staff from LICM went to visit her museum summer 2022 to learn more about the programs she develops for families.

     

    Christine Ettlinger

    Christine teaches 7th & 8th grade American History. Her family owns a bay house.

     

    Brumsic Brandon

    Brumsic is the former Science Chairperson for Westbury School District and an avid fisherman.

     

    More Saltwater Stories Advisors, Humanities Scholars and Consultants

    Rooting Concept Development in the Humanities

    • Dr. Tyler Anbinder holds a Ph.D. from Columbia University (NY) and is Professor of History at George Washington University (Washington, D.C.)He is a specialist in 19th-century American politics and the history of immigration and ethnicity in American life. Anbinder supported the initial phase of the project by providing a broader historical context of New York City and aligning the historical immigrant experience with Long Island’s maritime traditions.
    • Dr. Glenn Gordinier earned his Ph.D. from the University of Connecticut and was the Robert G. Albion Historian at Mystic Seaport (now retired). Gordinier supported LICM in drawing connections between Long Island’s maritime culture and history and broader national issues and ideas.
    • Dr. Allison McGovern is an archaeologist and Native American scholar. She holds a Ph.D. and MPhil in Anthropology, both from City University of New York. She supported research and interpretation and recently collaborated with LICM staff to conduct land history research for a land acknowledgment statement.
    • Nancy Solomon holds an M.A. in American Studies/Folklife Studies from George Washington University and is the Executive Director of Long Island Traditions in Port Washington, NY.  Solomon provided guidance on the research of Long Island’s fishermen and baymen and also identified fishermen and baymen to participate in a panel discussion with LICM staff and other Advisors to develop specific content areas.

    Exhibition Fabrication and Program Development

    • Dr. Jase E. Bernhardt is supporting climate and weather research and is an Asst. Professor in the Geology, Environment and Sustainability Department of Hofstra University. He received his M.S. and Ph.D., in Geography from Pennsylvania State University.

    • Dr. Judith Burgess holds a Ph.D. in Cultural Anthropology from Columbia University. Burgess has worked with LICM on several projects including previous Saltwater Stories programs. She is assisting with the development of interpretive content about the history of African Americans involved in whaling on Long Island, among other topics.

    • Dr. Elysa Engelman is supporting LICM’s exhibit staff and is the Director of Exhibits at Mystic Seaport Museum (CT). She holds a Ph.D. in American and New England Studies from Boston University and a B.A. in English from Yale University.

    • Dr. Aaren Freeman is Associate Professor & Graduate Coordinator of Environmental Studies Program at Adelphi University (NY). He received his Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of New Hampshire and his M.S. in Biology from Northeastern University.  He is helping to connect staff to other organizations and projects about Long Island’s environment.

    • Dr. Patricia Pinto da Silva is a Social Scientist with NOAA’s Northeast Fisheries Science Center in Woods Hole (MA).  She received both her Ph.D. in Social Policy and her MSc in Social Policy and Planning in Developing Countries from the London School of Economics. She is assisting staff to draw connections between maritime conditions on Long Island and those existing nationally.

    • Tony Terzulli is a fisherman and owner of Two Cousins fish market in Freeport.

    • Dr. Frank Turano holds a doctorate in Historical Archaeology from SUNY Stony Brook and M.S. in Physiology and Marine Biology from Adelphi University. He has collected many oral histories of Long Island's baymen and information about the architecture of the distinctive Long Island bay house. 

    • Dr. Marilyn E. Weigold is a specialist in regional and environmental history and holds both a Ph.D. and M.A. in History from St. John's University (NY). She is Professor of History (emeritus), University Historian, and Assistant Chair of the Department of Economics, History and Political Science at Pace University’s Dyson College of Arts and Sciences. 
       

    LICM Staff

    All departments at the Museum take part in creating a new exhibit. From our educators and volunteers on the Museum floor testing new activities with the public, to our exhibits and graphics teams prototyping and designing a space, to our development team raising funds to make all of this possible, developing an exhibit is a large group effort. Meet some of the senior staff involved in the development of Saltwater Stories.

    Margo Malter, Director of Exhibits at LICM

    Margo is working with a talented team of people at LICM and community advisors to create experiences in Saltwater Stories.

    Make Your Own MICRO Museum, Courtesty of MICRODIY (PDF)

     

    Claire D’Emic, STEM Initiatives Program Director at LICM

    Claire is developing programs for Saltwater Stories and collaborating with educators at the Smithsonian to test ideas.

    More LICM Staff involved in Saltwater Stories

    Erik Schurink, former Director of Exhibits & Facilities
    Dawn Weiss, former Senior Exhibit & Program Developer
    Scott Larrabee, Associate Director of Exhibits
    Aimee S. Terzulli, Vice President for Program & Visitor Experience
    Maureen Mangan, Director of Communications & Marketing
    Paul Shields, Art Director

    This project is made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Humanities New York.