Sixty years ago, a grassroots movement worked to preserve Fire Island, one of New York’s most treasured natural landscapes. Today, the movement’s legacy lives on as Stony Brook University Libraries has received a historic donation chronicling the battle that led to the creation of the Fire Island National Seashore (FINS), a United States National Seashore that protects a 26-mile section of Fire Island.
This collection, gifted by the Barbash family, tells the story of the Citizen’s Committee for a Fire Island National Seashore, a group of passionate community activists who stopped a highway from being built through Fire Island and secured its future as a national park.
The timing of this donation coincides with the 60th anniversary of the legislation that established FINS as a unit of the National Park Service on September 11, 1964. The collection includes committee meeting minutes, press releases, and correspondence with influential political figures such as New York State Governor Nelson Rockefeller and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Stuart Udall.
“We’re thrilled to bring the papers of the Citizen’s Committee for a Fire Island National Seashore into our collection,” said Jamie Saragossi, associate dean of content services at Stony Brook University Libraries. “As we mark the 60th anniversary of FINS, it’s crucial that we preserve and share these documents, which capture the passion and perseverance that protected Fire Island’s natural beauty for generations to come.”
These historic items will be housed in the University Libraries’ Special Collections, where they will join a curated selection of rare books, maps and archival materials. To ensure that this history reaches a wide audience, the collection will be digitized and made freely available online.
“The papers are more than just documents — they’re a testament to the power of community action,” said Kristen J. Nyitray, director of special collections and university archives at Stony Brook. “They capture the voices and visions of those who dared to challenge the status quo and protect Long Island’s natural environment. We’re honored to add this collection to our archives, where it will inspire and educate future generations.”
“The papers are more than just documents — they’re a testament to the power of community action.”
Formed in 1962, the Citizen’s Committee group of 14 volunteer citizens — led by Maurice Barbash, a homebuilder and environmental activist, and Irving Like, an environmental lawyer — worked to promote the creation of the National Seashore. Their efforts culminated in President Lyndon B. Johnson signing legislation that formally established the Fire Island National Seashore, safeguarding Fire Island from the threat of a highway.
Cathy Barbash, reflecting on the family’s decision to donate the collection, emphasized its significance. “We’re honored that Stony Brook University has accepted these papers. They document the strategic, organized actions of a dedicated group of citizens who came together to fight for the common good. This collection also offers valuable insights into the political maneuvering of mid-century America that shaped the campaign’s success.”
In addition to the committee’s papers, the collection includes digital files from the exhibition “Protecting a Ribbon of Sand: The Creation of Fire Island National Seashore,” curated by Susan and Cathy Barbash for FINS’ 50th anniversary.
When asked why the family chose Stony Brook University, Cathy Barbash said, “Stony Brook and the Fire Island National Seashore are both integral to Suffolk County. It’s fitting that these materials are preserved close to where this history was made. Plus, with Irving Like’s papers already housed in Stony Brook’s special collections, it just made sense to keep these related collections together for the ease of research.”
Susan Barbash added, “The fight against Robert Moses’ plan to build a highway down Fire Island was an epic battle. While we were children during that time, the memories of our father’s role in this struggle are vivid. This collection ensures that the story of that hard-fought victory is preserved for future generations.”
— Beth Squire
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