Nanette Lawrenson is the featured speaker at Union Chapel in the Grove for Historical Society Sunday. All are welcome to attend the interdenominational service on July 2, at 10:30 AM.
Lawrenson, the Shelter Island Historical Society’s executive director, will talk about the Lord Family of Shipyard Creek. She’ll share aspects of the colorful history of the “peculiar” family of three sea captains and two maiden sisters. Their story is the basis of the society’s community musical fundraiser, “The Lords of Menantic.”
Sweet Island Dulcimers will perform under the direction of Union Chapel Music Director Linda Betjeman.
Lords of Menantic
“Lords by name and Lords by nature” described this Island family of aristocrats who occupied a beautiful estate on the Menantic Peninsula during the 19th century, Lawrenson says.
The captains built ocean-sailing vessels hewn from Shelter Island white oak. In 1804, during the Napoleonic Wars, one of their ships, Paragon, ran through the French blockade, delivering American grain to England. Captain Sam became a hero, though his hero status may be a bit questionable.
Lawrenson will give an overview of American shipbuilding during the 1800s, and on the Island, at the Lords Shipyard. She’ll provide a brief history of Menantic Peninsula, known as Montclair Colony, including how and when Montclair Colony was established and why its streets are named as they are.
Shelter Island Historical Society
“Our mission is to share the history of our Island through presentations and exhibits,” Lawrenson said. “We encourage Shelter Island families to donate originals or copies of their family history to continue to build the archive collection.”
“The more information we have, the more exhibits and programs we are able to share,” she said, adding that the society is “grateful for Historical Society Sunday at Union Chapel.”
The History Center is open Wednesday to Friday from 10 AM to 2 PM and Saturday from 9 AM to 12:30 PM. The society also sponsors the popular outdoor Havens Farmers Market on Saturdays from 9 AM to 12:30 PM throughout the summer.
For tickets to the summer musical, which runs from July 20 to 23, or the 1970s Dance Party on July 29, visit shelterislandhistorical.org.
About Nanette Lawrenson
Lawrenson came to the Island with her family in the mid-1950s; they eventually built a family home in 1964.
She worked for 30 years in corporate retail and has held numerous board and committee positions with arts, cultural, and environmental non-profit organizations.
She has been the Historical Society’s executive director since 2012.
Sweet Island Dulcimers
Betjeman formed Sweet Island Dulcimers four years ago, teaching and playing Appalachian dulcimers, also called “mountain dulcimers.”
These uniquely American instruments, originally built and played by early Appalachian settlers, surged in popularity in the last 20 years, and there are now dulcimer groups across the country.
Sweet Island Dulcimers specializes in traditional early American hymns, ballads, and folk music but also plays cowboy songs, world music, and The Beatles.
The group has performed for churches, children’s groups, and passersby on Crescent Beach, where members often practice during the summer. They meet weekly year-round, and anyone is welcome to join.
In addition to Betjeman, instrumentalists include Susan Ahlborn, Diane Blagburn, Wendy Clark, Anne Danforth, Vicky Kotula, Linda Kraus, Charity Robey, and Leah White.
Outdoor reception follows Union Chapel service
An outdoor reception, catered by STARS CAFÉ, will follow the service.
Available after every service is Union Chapel’s commemorative book, “All Are Welcome: 150 Years of Shelter Island’s Union Chapel in the Grove” by Carrie Cooperider.
You can also find it at Finley’s Fiction or by contacting Union Chapel Trustee Kathy Dinkel.
Next week: Elizabeth Sternlieb, cantor of Temple Beth El in Westchester, will lead the Shelter Island Yacht Club Memorial Sunday service on July 9 at 10:30 AM.
JoAnn Kirkland assists the trustees of Union Chapel in the Grove. For information about the historic chapel, visit www.unionchapelinthegrove.org/.
