Oyster Bay Historical Society Breaks Ground for New Research Center

Toasted by mild winds and balmy temperatures, the Oyster Bay Historical Society (OBHS) broke ground for the new Angela P. Koenig Research and Collections Center at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, December 15, 2009.

“It’s been a long haul,“ said OBHS Director Thomas Kuehhas (at right). “Almost as long as Odysseus’ journey in The Odyssey.”

The new Research and Collection Center, named in honor of Angela Koenig, will provide much needed space for the Society’s staff, for researchers, genealogists, and visiting school children, and, more importantly, will provide the heating, ventilation and air conditioning needed for proper archival storage of its growing collection.

Ms. Koenig was a long-time Trustee of the Society. She also gave generously of her time and energy for a number of Oyster Bay organizations, including the Doubleday Babcock Senior Center, the Youth and Family Counseling Agency of Oyster Bay-East Norwich, the United Way, and the Rotary, whose Clamdigger she edited for several years.

At the groundbreaking on Tuesday, architect Louis Baldino (at left) said “the building will be staked out on the site [on Friday] and the actual excavation will start sometime early next week.” Baldino Construction, the family business operated by his father, Philip, who founded it, and his brother, Mario, will build the new Center.

According to Mr. Kuehhas, “The cost to construct and furnish the new facility … is approximately $1,350,000.” The Dolan Foundation is generously providing a matching grant for contributions. But, he said, “We still need to raise an additional $125,000 in donations/pledges which would be matched by the grant,” to be able to finish the interior of the Center.

To make a contribution or pledge to the Society for the Center, please visit the website at www.oysterbayhistory.org, or contact Mr. Kuehhas by phone (516-922-5032) or email.

Additional details in Dagmar Karpi's January 1st article in the Oyster Bay Enterprise-Pilot, "Almost There But Not Quite: Building Starts, Funds Needed"