Sea Cliff Village Museum
95 Tenth Avenue
Sea Cliff, NY 11579
(516) 671-0090
www.seacliffmuseum.com

In 1871 a Methodist organization purchased land in Long Island as a retreat for Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens families. During summertime revival meetings they would live in rented tents and attend services at the 500-seat Tabernacle.

Interest in revivalism faded, but by the turn of the century Sea Cliff was a major East Coast resort, with vacationers arriving by steamboat and train. Then, as the automobile became more popular, people traveled farther for their vacations. But the village remained and today many late 19th century Victorian houses survive to give Sea Cliff its special character. One of the buildings now houses the Museum, which maintains permanent displays and mounts two special exhibitions per year.

The collections include the H.O. Korten Photograph Collection: prints made from 287 glass plates negatives by the Sea Cliff resident, along with more than 900 postcards provide a valuable social record of the village; Victorian Kitchen: features old-fashioned appliances and equipment; and the Costume Collection: spans the late Victorian era to the 1930's. There is also a scale model of a Sea Cliff Home.

Sea Cliff Village itself is a wonderful place for a family outing. Its old world atmosphere and quaint charm is relaxing and nostalgic. Group Tours for school and other groups are welcome.