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Founded in 1939, The Ward Melville Heritage Organization is a 501 (c)(3) corporation dedicated to preserving historic structures, managing environmental properties and interpreting them through on-site and distance learning educational programs.
By preserving the past, we can ensure that future generations can continue to enjoy the [Three Village area] that Ward Melville envisioned -"a place where history would blend with natural beauty as a part of everyday life."
It is only through the generosity of our donors that it is possible each year for thousands of people to enjoy the programs we offer to the community, including our historic structures, the 88-acre Wetlands, educational programs, living history performances and community events.
You Can Help! Support WMHO
There are many ways you can help WMHO maintain and preserve our community's history and environment. Your gift to The Ward Melville Heritage Organization will continue to provide the educational programs that thousands of school children participate in each year, as well as help to maintain our historic structures. You can help us preserve the heritage of the area for future generations to enjoy!
The Annual Fund
By making a gift to the annual fund, you are supporting the day-to-day operations of WMHO. Because the gift is unrestricted, we are able to use your gift where it is needed most. Any size donation will help us continue to provide educational programs and maintain our historic structures. You can help us preserve the heritage of the area for future generations to enjoy!
A Gift In Memory or Honor
Do you know someone who loves Stony Brook? Do they enjoy going to Stony Brook Village to shop, walk around or feed the ducks by the Stony Brook Mill Pond?
Why not honor them by making a donation in their name? Consider making a gift in memory or in honor of a friend or loved one. We will send a card to the person you designate, at the address you provide, acknowledging your gift.
Planned Giving
The Ward Melville Heritage Organization offers planned giving opportunities for you to help preserve the history and culture of the area. By designating The Ward Melville Heritage Organization as a beneficiary in your will, life insurance or estate plans, you are helping us continue our programs for future generations to enjoy.
Matching Gifts
Many companies offer employees a matching gift benefit that doubles and in some cases - even triples your gift. Contact your company's human resources department or web site to find out if your employer has a matching gifts program.
Stock Transfers
You may also make a donation to The Ward Melville Heritage Organization through a gift of stock. Please contact us for more information.
Special Interests & Projects
You can also designate your gift toward a special program. Please indicate your choice on the on-line form.
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The Charter Society: The Charter Society represents a $1.00 donation for every year the organization has been in existence (established in 1939).
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Youth Corps: Help The Ward Melville Heritage Organization continue to teach young people about conservation, the environment and our community history. Your donation can be designated toward Youth Corps programs such as planting Spartina grass in WMHO's 88-acre wetlands, the Santa Fund, or the Youth Corps scholarship program.
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Educational Programs: Help WMHO continue to bring history to life for students with unique theatrical performances both on-site and via distance learning. On-site programs are also given at our historic and environmental properties. Some past performances include "Anna Smith Strong - America's First Female Spy," "Running Scared - Running Free," and "Amistad."
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Preservation of Historical and Environmental Properties: Your donation toward preservation of historical and environmentally sensitive properties will help us maintain and restore our properties. Because many of the properties are on the State and National Register of Historic Places, all maintenance is done in line with the Secretary of Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. WMHO's properties include
- The Stony Brook Grist Mill (c. 1751)
- The Brewster House (c. 1665)
- The Thompson House (c. 1709)
- T. Bayles Minuse Park and Mill Pond
- The Dr. Erwin J. Ernst Marine Conservation Center
- 88-Acre Wetlands
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The Dr. Erwin J. Ernst Marine Conservation Center: Please help! SAVE “ERNIE’S SHACK” - located on an 88-acre wetlands preserve at West Meadow Creek in Setauket and fondly named after a pioneer in the marine science field, Dr. Erwin J. Ernst. Dr. Ernst was a dedicated educator and environmentalist and initiated the first New York State Regents accredited Marine Biology Course, which ran for over 50 years. Now known as The Ward Melville Heritage Organization’s Dr. Erwin J. Ernst Marine Conservation Center, the building is in dire need of funds to stabilize the shoreline and create a “living shoreline.” Your donation will help maintain the center, as well as promote our on-site and distance learning program from the wetlands. Students explore the salt marsh ecosystem either remotely or on-site in the heart of WMHO's 88-acre preserve. The Dr. Erwin J. Ernst Marine Conservation Center makes an ideal location for students to learn about the marine environment. This unique learning experience enables students to learn about the importance of salt marshes and food web interactions.
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The Discovery Wetlands Cruise: Your donation will help us continue to provide this unique 1 and 1/2 hour cruise through Stony Brook Harbor on a 35-passenger pontoon boat. A naturalist guides the passengers through the wetlands explaining the importance and fragility of the wetlands ecosystem, plant & animal life, as well as embracing ecology, geology and history of the area.
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The Educational and Cultural Center: By making a gift to the ECC, you will be helping us link our past and present with our future.
- The "Home with..." series of musical theatre high tea luncheon shows that pay tribute to legendary performers.
- "Living History" performances such as "Running Scared - Running Free" about the Underground Railroad spotlighting the Three Villages' involvement and "Anna Smith Strong - America's First Female Spy" are done in "first person" which helps to bring history "alive" for students and adults.
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Concerts by established musicians.
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Children's workshops, Chinese New Year, Hispanic Heritage Month and Black History Month all celebrate the human spirit.
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The Stony Brook Village Green Liberty Pole: You can honor your loved one by donating to the Compass Rose project at the base of the Stony Brook Liberty Pole. Plaques are placed into a "Compass Rose" at the base of the flagpole and is a wonderful way to honor someone permanently.
Captain Jonas Smith erected the Liberty Pole as a patriotic symbol in the center of the original hamlet. Mr. Melville reconstructed Stony Brook in 1941 and raised an exact replica of Captain Smith's Liberty Pole, on the Stony Brook Village Green directly in line with the Post Office.
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Benches around Stony Brook Village: You can also honor a loved one by donating to hand-crafted wooden benches placed around the village. Your name or that of a loved-one will be placed on a plaque on the bench.
If you would like any additional information about making a gift, please contact the Director of Development at (631) 751-2244.
Click Here to make a donation.
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