Suffolk Reporter

Stony Brook University Libraries have received a significant donation of historical documents related to the creation of the Fire Island National Seashore (FINS) in New York. The collection, donated by the Barbash family, details efforts by the Citizen’s Committee for a Fire Island National Seashore to prevent the construction of a highway on Fire Island and successfully establish FINS as part of the National Park Service.

The collection includes meeting minutes, press releases, and correspondence with prominent figures such as New York State Governor Nelson Rockefeller and Secretary of the Interior Stuart Udall. This donation is timely as it coincides with the 60th anniversary of FINS's establishment on September 11, 1964.

Jamie Saragossi, Associate Dean of Content Services at Stony Brook University Libraries, expressed enthusiasm about adding these documents to their collections. "We are very excited to have the papers of the Citizen’s Committee for a Fire Island National Seashore as a part of Stony Brook University Libraries’ collections," she said. Kristen J. Nyitray, Director of Special Collections and University Archives, emphasized the significance of these papers in preserving grassroots efforts that protected natural environments for future generations.

Cathy Barbash shared her thoughts on donating this collection to Stony Brook University: "We are honored that Stony Brook University has agreed to accept the original minutes...and related research and correspondence." She highlighted that her father Maurice Barbash and uncle Irving Like co-chaired the committee that fought against Robert Moses' highway plan.

In addition to physical documents, digital files from an exhibition curated by Susan and Cathy Barbash will also be included. The family chose Stony Brook as they believe it is important for these materials to reside close to their subject matter in Suffolk County.

Susan Barbash reflected on her childhood memories during this period: “The epic battle against Robert Moses’ plan...took place in 1964, when my sister Cathy and I were children.” Despite being young at that time, she acknowledged not realizing how uncertain victory was over Moses' plans.

The university plans to digitize these items for online access through its Special Collections division. Details about accessing this new addition will soon be available via a dedicated webpage.