Jay Levenson and the Southold Indian Museum

Welcome to part 1 of a 2-part episode focusing on the Southold Indian Museum. Today we speak with Jay Levenson, incoming executive director of the museum. Jay discusses his Native American heritage, how he moved to Long Island and discovered the museum, and his time learning about its resources. He also talks about the history of Native Americans on Long Island and the importance of having an institution that helps them tell their story.

Birdstone atlatl weight from the museum’s collections. Photo by Ephraim Horowitz. 

Further Research

• Southold Indian Museum
• “A Burial Site is Returned to the Shinnecock” (East Hampton Star)
• Fort Corchaug (On This Site)
• Algonquian Language Revitalization Project (SBU)
• Traditional Tobacco (Keep it Sacred)