The Stony Brook Village Center, located at Main Street on the Harbor, is the creation of philanthropist Ward Melville and was recognized as the first planned business center in the United States. Its many unique features include a sweeping village green and crescent-shaped design. In its early years, the American Institute of Architects hosted an annual conference in Stony Brook to meet with Mr. Melville and study his creation.  The eagle on the Post Office pediment flaps its wings every hour on the hour from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily as it has done for 75 years. It continues to welcome thousands of visitors to the village center’s specialty shops and restaurants.

Across the road from the Stony Brook Grist Mill is one of Long Island’s environmental treasures. The eleven-acre Mill Pond, or Lower Pond, is spring fed from the Upper Pond located on Rhododendron Road. The Setalcott Indian clan called this aquatic linkage Cutsgunsuck which translates as “brook laden with stones” or Stony Brook, as the entire area is known today. Low Island, in the middle of the pond, is a nesting place for local waterfowl. In the 1800’s, grapes for winemaking were grown in this area. The water from the Mill Pond has driven the wheel at the Grist Mill since 1699.  T. Bayles Minuse Park is a popular spot where generations of children have visited the ducks and swans. The park’s Sensory Garden features plants with a variety of scents and textures for the enjoyment of both sighted and visually impaired visitors.

Main Street
Stony Brook, New York 11790

The Ward Melville Heritage Organization’s Educational and Cultural Center in the Stony Brook Village Center is a state-of-the-art venue that offers a wide variety of events throughout the year.

A sampling of events includes:

• Annual Summer Exhibits such as “Celebrating Coney Island, America’s First Amusement Park,” “Celebrating P. T. Barnum…the Man,” and “Motorcycles & the Open Road,” with memorabilia, artwork, sculptures, displays, and speakers
• Long Island’s longest running luncheon theater paying tribute to the lives of famous celebrities such as Marilyn Monroe, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, and many more
• LEGO® Building Block Competition and Exhibit
• Chinese New Year Celebration
• Winter and Spring Break Programs for Children
• Black History Month Educational Programs and Living History Performances such as “Running Scared, Running Free: Escape to the Promised Land,” which tells the riveting story of the movement of escaping slaves from the south to Long Island and north to Canada
• On-Site Adult and Youth Programs
• Video-Conference Distance Learning Programs that broadcast live to schools and groups throughout the United States.

The 8,800 s/f, two-story, colonial style center is also available for rental, and can accommodate a total of 299 persons. The Great Room on the first floor has a 28-foot ceiling and can hold up to 200. The second floor can accommodate 99 people in small workshop groups or in a theater-style setting. There is also a second floor conference room that can hold up to 15 people. Additional fee items include: podium, microphones, sound system, grand piano (Great Room only), projector, and video conferencing equipment. The facility can be rented for corporate functions, family celebrations, seminars, and more.

 

The charming Heritage Gift Shop is located at the venue as well, and offers over 150 items that include books, educational games, toys, kits and crafts, food, accessories, and other unusual gifts.

97P Main Street
Stony Brook, New York 11790

Explore the 88-acre wetlands preserve around Stony Brook Village. You will delight in the land and seascapes of blossoming trees, grasses, waterways and bird life that only can be found in Spring on this pristine eastern section of Long Island’s North Shore. 

The Ernst Marine Conservation Center is happy to host fun and educational field trips for both students and adults. 

For more information, please call 631-751-2244. 

Trustees Road
East Setauket, New York 11733

WE ARE SAD TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE 2020 DISCOVERY SEASON HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO COVID-19

WE CAN’T WAIT TO BRING YOU OUT ON WEST MEADOW CREEK!

STAY TUNED FOR THE 2021 SCHEDULE COMING IN JANUARY

Across Dock Road from the Three Village Inn, The Ward Melville Heritage Organization’s pontoon boat “Discovery” departs from Stony Brook Marine Services located in Stony Brook, NY.  The 27-passenger vessel cruises through the organization’s 88-acre wetlands preserve for a 1 1/2 hour tour.  A naturalist on board will highlight and describe the wildlife and flora that the passengers will see, the natural history of the area and the individuals and events that have shaped it. 

 

2021 Season Schedule Coming Soon!

 

RESERVATIONS

Reservations are taken Monday through Friday, between the hours of 9:00 am and 5:00 pm.

Making a reservation is the only way to guarantee your seat on the Discovery!

Reservation Pricing 

Adults – $28

Seniors & Students – $25

Children under 6 – $18

LARGE PARTY GROUPS

To ensure that your entire party makes it on the boat (as per Coast Guard regulations, we can only allow 27 passengers aboard the pontoon) please make sure to call ahead (631-751-2244) and reserve your seats. 

WHOLE BOAT RESERVATIONS

If you’d like a private boat ride, you are more than welcome to reserve the entirety of the Discovery pontoon! To reserve a whole boat, please call 631-751-2244. 

Whole Boat Pricing

Regular Whole Boat –  $550

Seniors and Educational Groups  – $475

WALK-ONS

We welcome anyone who does not have a reservation onto the Discovery pontoon boat – as long as it is not a full boat or has been reserved! 

Walk-On Pricing (CASH ONLY)

Adults – $35

Seniors & Students – $30

Children under 6 – $20

SPECIALTY CRUISES                         

Our team is always working hard to create new and fun experiences on board the Discovery! 

Photography Cruises

We are collaborating with Camera Concepts and Telescope Solutions to bring special photography cruises to our attendees!  Each session will begin at half an hour earlier on land with a discussion from a Camera Concepts photography instructor, the cruise will then set out for 1 ½ hours, ending with a 15-30 minute wrap-up/critique session after.  

Photography Cruise Pricing 

$50 per person 

GIFT CERTIFICATES

A cruise through beautiful Stony Brook Harbor and serene West Meadow Creek provides an experience unlike any other. Surprising a loved one with a gift certificate to this unique and fun cruise is the perfect present!

Call 631-751-2244 to get more information and to purchase a gift certificate. 

Get a taste of what the cruise is like by watching this award-winning story from MyLITV!

 

Across from the Three Village Inn, which is at 150 Main Street
Stony Brook, New York 11790