The Long Island Museum in Stony Brook has a tried-and-true method of drawing first-timers—and those with young children—with its Halloween Family Fun program. Inviting participants to take their Halloween costumes for a test-run, the program on Sunday, Oct. 27, offers Mad Science Long Island and a first-time puppet show featuring “Frankenstein Reimagined.”
“It’s a free day here at the museum, and we will have ongoing opportunities for painting pumpkins and other Halloween crafts, and we will also have two shows occurring,” said Director of Education Lisa Unander, encouraging families to spend the day from 1 to 4 p.m. at the museum, 1200 Rte. 25 A.
She anticipates that the Mad Science Long Island shows at 2 and 3 p.m. will be interactive and engaging for various ages as they explore the science of sound.
“We’ll have some audience involvement,” Unander said, noting that Mad Science uses experiments to combine fun and education.
The second show, “Frankenstein Reimagined,” will be presented by Magpie Puppet Theatre in 10–15-minute blocks from 1:15 to 3:45 p.m. This holiday-themed presentation features puppeteer Stephanie Sakson, who is known for her participation in the annual Port Jefferson Charles Dickens festival, said Unander.
Describing Halloween Family Fun as one of the museum’s most popular events, Unander expects it could draw as many as 500 participants.
“It’s a day to spend with your family without spending money and enjoy some of the classic fall activities in a very unique and beautiful setting,” she said.
Many of those who come for the Halloween happening also will check out the museum, which is one of the goals of the event.
“The whole campus is activated on this day inside and out with all these performances and activities, so it really brings the whole space to life,” she added.
To give back to those in need this season, Long Island Museum is asking guests to bring along a non-perishable food item, which will be donated to Agape Meals for Kids, a nonprofit endeavoring to fill the weekend gap in kids' nutrition needs.
Celebrating its 85th year, the Long Island Museum of American Art, History and Carriages has been a premiere cultural site on Long Island since 1939 and is the only Smithsonian Affiliate in the region. It includes a one-room schoolhouse, barn and shed depicting life in the 1800s, said Unander, with close to 100 horse-drawn vehicles are another highlight conjuring images of life before cars.
For the aspiring artist in the family, the Art Museum is displaying the works of Stony Brook’s own William Sydney Mount, a 19th century American painter. In addition “Fire Island: The Art of Liberation” offers “a little something for everyone,” she said, with both contemporary and historical artists.
Long Island Museum, according to the website, drew its inspiration from that of a New England village with historic buildings “carefully trucked onto the grounds.” The museum's nine-acre grounds are a nod to history as lumber mills operated there in the 1800s, with evidence of the mill work still visible.
Except for certain holidays, Long Island Museum is open Thursday-Sunday from 12 to 5 p.m. and typically charges $15 for adults and $10 for seniors and students, while kids under 6 and veterans are admitted for free.
For more information, visit longislandmuseum.org or call 631-751-0066.