East End Veteran History: Bridgehampton Museum Exhibit Dates Set
The museum will display artwork, photos, and video interviews from local veterans starting Nov. 13 at the Nathaniel Rogers House.
By Gabriela Flores ·
Long Island history often centers on its landscape, but a new local exhibit focuses on the people who served in the U.S. military. The Bridgehampton Museum is preparing to open East End Veterans Voices, a display of personal stories and artifacts from the community.
The exhibition runs from Nov. 13 to Dec. 20 at the museum’s Nathaniel Rogers House, located at 2539 Montauk Highway. An opening reception is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 13, from 5 to 8 p.m. The project is a partnership with USA Warrior Stories, an organization that has spent nearly a decade documenting veteran experiences through short documentaries.
The show features original artwork by four veterans: John Melillo, Lisha Terry, Angelique Williams, and Carrie-Anne Gonzalez. These artists use painting and visual storytelling to process their service and manage conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder. The gallery also includes photographs and memorabilia from seven other local veterans, including Arthur Muller, George Drago, Joe Giannini, Martin Sylvester, John Fenech, Francis Gabreski, and Ron Campsey.
Several of these veterans have deep roots in East End history. Arthur Muller served in the U.S. Navy on a patrol torpedo boat in the Pacific from 1942 to 1945. He later settled in Water Mill with his wife, Irene, and served as the postmaster there for 30 years. His exhibition pieces include hundreds of photographs he took during his service.
John Fenech served in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1984 to 1989. He was stationed at the Shinnecock station and later served aboard the USCG Cutter Dallas. Francis Gabreski, a career pilot in World War II and the Korean War, commanded the 52nd Fighter-Interceptor Wing at Suffolk County Air Force Base from 1964 to 1967. The base is now named in his honor.
Ron Campsey, who owned the New Moon Cafe in East Quogue, enlisted in the U.S. Army after hearing his father speak of the 1st Infantry Division in World War II. He joined that same division in Vietnam in July 1967. The exhibition will also include video clips from the USA Warrior Stories archive and offers local veterans a chance to have their own stories recorded.
Visitors can find more information about the event at bridgehamptonmuseum.org/exhibits/vetvoices or usawarriorstories.org.
Source: Dan's Papers
