PEOPLE OF NOTE

Benjamin Britten (1913-1976) lived and worked in Southold part of the time during his years here in America (1939-1942).  

Helen Keller (1880-1968), the noted political activist and educator, was a resident in Southold during the summer of 1936. It was here, along the shores of Cedar Beach, that Keller spent her last days with her long time companion, Anne Macy Sullivan (1886-1936).  

It is unclear how many African American men and women came to Southold over the last 300 years. Thousands, and perhaps tens of thousands came.  They arrived from all over, from New York City, from New England, but especially from the South. These families had a profound effect on our community.  

Noted scientist Albert Einstein (1879-1955) was one of several important visitors to stay on the North Fork of Long Island during the 1930s and 1940s. His time would be spent sailing and playing music with those he met and befriended during an important and momentous period of his life.  

Beginning in the late 19th century and continuing through the first half of the 20th century, huge numbers of Polish and Lithuanian immigrants came to eastern Long Island to work.  

This is a list of artists we know lived, worked or exhibited on the North Fork of Long Island before 1970. We are always interested in seeing works by these artists which may relate to the area. For detailed biographies on these artists, please see (or purchase) our award winning publication, "A Shared Aesthetic: Artists of Long Island's North Fork" (2008).