On July 21 and 22, the Cherry Grove Archives Committee held its show, at the Community House, displaying historic Grove treasures, billed as “Reflections ’69.” 1969 was not only the year of the Stonewall Rebellion, marking the start of the late 20th century Gay Liberation Movement, celebrated locally this year with the Stonewall50 and WorldPride NYC LGBTQ Pride March, but also the 100th anniversary of the founding of Cherry Grove, Fire Island, now 150 years old.
The show, curated by Lee Sharmat, featured posters, photos, and playbills of early Arts Project of Cherry Grove theatrical shows, at the Community House; salvaged signs from named houses and stores; t-shirts from past businesses and events; exhibits about the Cherry Grove Post Office and 1994 Homecoming Queen Scarlett Oh!, the only woman ever to hold that title; memorabilia, as well as vintage photos, donated from private collections, showing Grove individuals and parties, parades, regattas, and other public events; videos about the Archives’ work; and a showing of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.”

photo captions & credit:
house & business signs
Cherry Grove Post Office
from Dominic DeSantis & John Behan's collection
Homecoming Queen Scarlett Oh!
Cherry Grove Archives Committee
ribbon-cutting ceremony
historic t-shirts
photos by Bruce-Michael Gelbert