Cow Neck in the Revolution

The area we now call Port Washington was occupied by the British for seven years during the Revolutionary War. Local families suffered immense hardship: they were forced to quarter enemy troops, had their children pressed into service, and even endured pirate attacks. Some Cow Neck Patriots bravely fought for American freedom while others assisted the revolutionary cause in secret – and some yet remained loyal to the Crown. These stories are explored in Cow Neck in the Revolution, presented in collaboration with the Cow Neck Peninsula Historical Society in celebration of 250 years of American independence. On display in the History Center Annex June through December 2026.

12:00am - 12:00am View Details

Poetry Readers Circle Sponsored by the FOL's Ruth D. Bogen Fund

Join fellow readers for a new poetry discussion led by Nassau County Poet Laureate Paula Curci.

Paula Curci is the Nassau County Poet Laureate emeritus. As both the producer of Calliope’s Corner and What’s The Buzz, on Radio Hofstra University, and as a Poet Correspondent for The Scene.Life, Paula meets and interviews poets about their work.  She is the co-founder the Shore Poets and co-editor of the micro- memoir anthology Poetry: “It’s a ‘Shore’ Thing! In an Unsure World.  Through her Acoustic Poets Network Visitation Project, she facilitates introspective poetry workshops, open mics, and performs her poetry.  

Copies of the selected text are available at the Information Desk. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Library’s Ruth D. Bogen Memorial Fund.

1:30pm - 3:00pm View Details

Books for Dessert

Books for Dessert is a book club for adults over 21 with intellectual and developmental disabilities, who live, work or participate in a day program in or around Port Washington. Founded more than 20 years ago, Books for Dessert — the sessions begin with cookies and coffee — is made up of readers ranging in age from early 20s to their late 70s. 

Books for Dessert collaborates with groups such as AHRC, Community Mainstreaming Associates (CMA),  and The Nicholas Center.

If you’d like more information about our book club, please contact Kate Monsour at 516-883-4400, ext. 1302 or monsour@pwpl.org.

7:00pm - 8:30pm View Details

Sandwiched In with Ron Brown - The Archaeology of New York City

Join Dr. Ron Brown as he explores the archaeology of New York City. Deep under the skyscrapers of New York City is another lost world. Traces of the dinosaurs that roamed the city some 252 million years ago can still be found. Some 2.6 million years ago glaciers from the North Pole carved the area into Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and The Bronx. Then came the Native Americans whose paths, villages and pottery are still found in many areas. The remains of colonial Dutch and English houses, privies and churches can still be seen when the city dug the subway system. Seneca Village in Central Park and the African Burial Ground have recently been unearthed by archaeologists revealing how immigrants and African Americans lived in the growing city. Today, as foundations for new skyscrapers are being dug, further discoveries are adding new chapters to the history of the city. 

This program is scheduled as part of the Summer Reading Theme of "Unearth a Story."

12:00pm - 1:30pm View Details