Library Remembers Its Roots With Historical Exhibit

LONG BEACH, NY — The Long Beach Public Library is taking visitors back in time with its new historical exhibits.

A library is honoring former assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg-- known to many as Mr. Long Beach-- who spent 25 years in Albany.

The display of his achievements is called "A Lifetime of Sand, Sea and Service."

After the Saturday reception, the exhibit opens to the public next week.

"I believe that the rewards of public service [are] about the thank yous you get for helping people," Weisenberg, 88, told Patch.

He said the highlight of the personal exhibit is a large color photo with his wife Ellen, who died five years ago. A four-hour oral history with Weisenberg is available on the library's website.

While Weisenberg, who was also known for his lifeguard work, is an unofficial historian of the city, the library has also created a space for the history of Long Beach. (Check out the video below.)

Using a library renovation was the chance to block out areas for a walk down memory lane.

"With the increased interest in Long Beach history, we thought it was an opportune time to include a local history room," Library Director Tara Lannen-Stanton said.

It started during COVID-19, while the library was closed. The idea was floated for a weekly look at Long Beach's past memories.

"It's brought a lot of people together in ways that we really need to see right now," Lannen-Stanton said. "The historical photos are such a huge draw."

Local history librarian Eileen Pollis was one of the main organizers of the exhibits and she is getting plenty of help from the community.

"I have emails at least two, three times a week, either contributions or a question to follow up on their families," Pollis said.

She has been with the library since 1998 and always took interest in finding historical perspectives about her hometown.

"This is life. This is my home. So for me to come work here, my dreams did come true," she said.