#99 - Let's Do the Time Warp in Malverne

It's just a turn to the left...heading north on Ocean Avenue.

Or it'll be on your right - if you're driving from Village Hall.

You'll feel like you're caught in a time warp when you step inside the Malverne Historical Society's Joseph L. Landers Restoration Home. That's what makes it #99 in our list of 100 Things To Do Malverne & West Hempstead, a round-up of things that make our community unique that will help chase away the boredom for you and your family.

Whether you've recently moved to Malverne or lived here all your life like me, you may have driven by the white house on the corner of Church Street and Ocean Avenue but never thought to go inside.

As you walk through each room of the two-story house, which dates back to 1854, you will get an intimate look at Malverne's past and understand what life was like in the small farming town when it was first settled.

This is Malverne's "Old Bethpage" - minus the costumed characters. All of the furniture and artifacts have been collected by the society, many of which were donated to them by Malvernites over the years. On the first floor you can sit down at the kitchen and feel like you've landed in a different century, as you are surrounded by authentic antique appliances, some of which are still in working order.

Walk through the formal dining room and into the sitting room, where a grand piano, brick fireplace and beautiful stair case look like a sight out of a Norman Rockwell painting. Then, look up and you'll see some of the original signs that once greeted people to the place you now call home, including the marquees-like "The Malverne" banner that once hung above a strip of stores in the village and a large board that had been used to sell plots of land when the area was first developing.

Kids will enjoy the second floor, where they can see some of the toys that young Malverne residents have played with in the past and small old-fashioned school desk. Most adults will find themselves glued to the walls upstairs, pouring over the interesting photos taken of the shops and their owners that at one time lined Hempstead Avenue. See if you can spot the ones that are still there and guess what shops have replaced the ones that since closed shop.

As you head to the back of the house, you'll see an entire room dedicated to honoring our local heroes, with authentic military uniforms, patches, photos, newspaper clippings, plaques, gas masks and more. A highlight of the room is the hand-sewn quilt crafted to honor the victims of 9-11 and the men and women who answered the call to serve in response to the tragedy. The patches were made by families from the village.

You'll also see displays showcasing celebrities who have called Malverne home, local sports stars and the history of our schools, police force, volunteer services, press and youth organizations. You'll get a kick out of seeing the old uniforms of Malverne Little League players and other sports teams.

And if you're looking for an old yearbook (Maybe you want to see Tony Danza's high school photo.), or map of the village, or you want to read about the history of an organization, both those still in existence and those now defunct, you'll find what you're looking for in the research room.

Whether your working on a school project or just intrigued to learn more about little old Malverne, the Restoration home (and the Society's helpful members) hold the keys to unlocking the village's past.

To learn how to contact the Society to plan a visit, arrange a tour or even host a party at the Restoration home, click . Also, check Patch's calendar to learn about the Society's upcoming events.

Check back next Tuesday for #98 in our list and send your suggestions for other interesting places and activities in Malverne or West Hempstead to Tara.Conry@Patch.com.