2010 Displays
2010
Sacred Texts
1st Floor Display
December 2010 - April 2011
A collection of texts and sacred writings from a number of religious traditions is currently displayed on the first floor of the library. These texts are the major works held sacred by various religions, including Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism and several others. The display includes a reproduction of the Book of Kells from the manuscript in Trinity College and an illuminated facsimile of the Gutenberg Bible.
Oysters Around Oakdale
1st Floor Display
June 2010 - October 2010
This display examines the importance of the oyster industry in the 19th and early 20th centuries in Oakdale and West Sayville, New York. The history of the oystering industry in this area is tied to the important influences of Dutch immigrants, such as Jacob Ockers (1847-1918), who became Islip's most prominent and wealthiest oysterman. Jacob Ockers lived in Oakdale. His house still survives and is located on Montauk Highway. Originally his oyster operations were also in Oakdale but the smell from the oyster plant permeated his neighborsÂ’ Gilded Age estates. After some negotiations, Ockers moved his oystering operation to West Sayville. The display highlights Ockers many contributions to oystering and examines the importance of transportation on the oyster industry. The importance of the oyster in Victorian society is also touched upon. Serving oysters was the height of pretentiousness and elegance. Proper service required special sterling utensils and ornately decorated plates designed specifically for serving oysters. Dowling College's Center for Estuarine, Environmental and Coastal Oceans Monitoring is located in the old Bluepoints Oyster Factory building in West Sayville.
The Art of Graphic Storytelling