Lucinda Hemmick and the Southold Indian Museum

The Long Island History Project

We continue our focus on the Southold Indian Museum by talking with their current president, Lucinda Hemmick. A science research teacher from Longwood High School, Lucinda found her way to the museum through the research interests of her students. What followed was a ten-year exploration of Clovis arrow points, steatite pots, and the use of science to unravel the secrets of archaeological artifacts.

Rare "face pot" found at Three Mile Harbor. (Photo courtesy of Southold Indian Museum.)

Lucinda also walks us through the history of the museum, with its origins in a group of archaeologically-minded North Fork men in the 1920s. Their efforts and connections to professional archaeologists led to the opening of the museum in the 1960s.

UPDATE 12/13/21 - the Southold Indian Museum is closed through December 2021. Check their website for the most recent info on scheduling.

Further Research

• Southold Indian Museum
• Lucinda Hemmick (ResearchGate)
• In Memory of Ralph Solecki
• Student Partnerships for Advanced Research and Knowledge (SPARK)
• New York State Archaeological Association
• Nicotina rustica (USDA)
• Audio footnote:
  • other episodes focused on archaeology