The History Project News Letter

155 INTERVIEWS TO DATE…

Although we are now concentrating on transcribing and indexing our existing interviews for placement in the East Hampton Library, we continue to conduct interviews. Following are some of our recent interviewees.

Frank & Barbara Borth spoke about coming to Montauk just after World War II. Frank, a well-known artist, illustrator and cartoonist, has lived and worked in Montauk for over 50 years. Frank & Barbara are both avid horsemen and were members of the original quadrille team at Deep Hollow Ranch.

Bruce Collins talked about growing up on Cedar Street , about the history of the family business, and of his years in town politics. Bruce has much more to tell us and an additional interview with him is planned.

Elizabeth "Boots" Lamb (96) was interviewed in her home on Main Street, the former studio of Thomas Moran. She told us how she and her late husband Condie first came to East Hampton, about her husband's career, and her experiences in the real estate business. We plan another interview with Mrs. Lamb.

John & Olga Collins talked about the history of the Collins family in East Hampton. John told us about his father, who was a housepainter to the summer colony, including Thomas Moran, Childe Hassam, and the Maidstone Club.

Melvin & Karin Bennett, along with Melvin's sister Dorothy Cote. Melvin, a life-long resident of The Eastside had much to tell us about life around Bonac Creek early in the century.

Tony Cangiolosi told us about growing up in a large Italian family on Lily Hill, where he still lives, surrounded by his children and grandchildren, as well as his chickens, goats, turkeys, geese, and his beautiful vegetable and flower gardens. An additional interview with Tony is planned.

David Osborn told us about his family history of farming in Wainscott. He is very knowledgeable about Wainscott history and shared much information with us.

George DeWan of NEWSDAY is planning another feature story, using the interview we did in 1997 with Lee Hayes. Newsday previously did features on Carl Jennett and Abigail Field, using excerpts & photos from our interviews with them.

Norah Pierson told us about her parents, and particularly about her father, George W. Pierson, former President of the Georgica Association. She spoke about the early days of the Association and passed along to us some of her father's writings about Georgica for incorporation into our project.

We are sorely in need of funds to enable us to hire transcribers. Our interviews range in length from 1 1/2 hours to up to 5 hours. The project will reach its true potential only when all of the interviews are transcribed, indexed and placed in the Pennypacker Collection of the East Hampton Library.

RECOLLECTIONS ...

Emma Mae King (Mrs. Clarence "Kelly" King) told us the following in answer to the question: "How do you cook a coot?" "My father used to say, cook a coot with a brick and when the brick is soft, then you know the coot is done."