Henry L. Ferguson Museum

Henry L. Ferguson Museum Our Museum & Land Trust offers annual exhibitions, talks, children’s programs, art and nature trails.

For the last couple of weeks, the Race has been full of menhaden.After years when they were largely absent from our loca...
06/15/2026

For the last couple of weeks, the Race has been full of menhaden.

After years when they were largely absent from our local waters, menhaden have been plentiful in the region again over the last decade. Their return matters. Large schools of menhaden draw larger predators close to shore, creating the kind of feeding activity that reminds us how connected and alive these waters can be.

The photo of a juvenile humpback lunge-feeding off Amagansett was taken in about 15 feet of water — only about 15 miles, as the whale swims, from Fishers Island.

Last week, the Moore family of Mystic photographed this young humpback in the Race from their sloop Peter Duck. The appearance of a juvenile humpback so close to Fishers may be another sign of increasing humpback numbers and improving conditions in the waters around us.

The Moores — including 11-year-old Grace — were on a shakedown cruise around Fishers Island as they prepare for a planned transatlantic crossing this summer. Not a bad sendoff from the Race.

Thank you to the Moore family for sharing this remarkable sighting.

Join us at the Museum this Sunday, June 14 at 4 pm for an INTRODUCTION TO COLORED PENCIL BOTANICAL DRAWING class by art ...
06/10/2026

Join us at the Museum this Sunday, June 14 at 4 pm for an INTRODUCTION TO COLORED PENCIL BOTANICAL DRAWING class by art educator Mary Barresi. This class includes “learning to see” exercises, and a demonstration of the unique characteristics of Prismacolor color pencils. Participants will begin individual botanical drawings. All drawing and reference materials will be provided. Program is free but this class is filling up, so secure your spot today! Registration by June 10 is required. Please RSVP to Jessica: [email protected].

For more info, zoom link, and to register, please visit our website
https://fergusonmuseum.org/events/






Our Middle Farms osprey family has been getting persistent attention from the local grackles. In these photos, you can s...
06/01/2026

Our Middle Farms osprey family has been getting persistent attention from the local grackles. In these photos, you can see the smaller birds dive-bombing and scolding the much larger osprey, who seems (mostly) unbothered by the commotion.

This aggressive behavior by the grackle is called “mobbing.” It may look reckless, but it is a common defensive strategy used by many bird species - including chickadees, blackbirds, jays, and crows - especially during breeding season. Smaller birds often mob raptors to drive them away from nesting areas, particularly in spring.

Grackles may swoop, call loudly, and make repeated passes at raptors, following them in flight and occasionally making contact. Sometimes one bird starts the harassment alone; other times, the calls attract a few reinforcements. Ospreys, despite being much larger and equipped with powerful talons, often choose not to engage as the smaller birds are fast and annoying, but not particularly dangerous. Most of the time the Osprey simply ride out the harassment - an exceptional display of patience from the natural world.

You can watch the Middle Farms osprey family live on the HLFM OspreyCam through the link in our bio or at fergusonmuseum.org/osprey-cam/

Vidcaps by HLFM OspreyCam community members Porky & Reiny.

05/27/2026

Big news from Middle Farms: the first osprey chick has hatched. The tiny hatchling was spotted today on the HLFM OspreyCam, tucked under its mother while she kept it warm in the nest. It is still hard to see — just a little white head popping up every once in a while — but in this video clip from sundown, you can see the little bobbing head of the hatchling as the male and female stand guard the male flies off, presumably to find some fish for the hungry baby. Two eggs remain. Osprey eggs hatch in the order they were laid, usually 1–3 days apart. The incubation period lasts 36–42 days, and chicks are born with their eyes open and covered in fluffy white down. Within the first two weeks, they change from hatchlings to nestlings, and by week three, they develop pin feathers, looking like small dinosaurs. By 4–6 weeks, they are nearly full-grown. We encourage you to check in on the osprey family using the HLFM OspreyCam. You can watch live or scroll back to see what they’ve been up to during the day and night. The video is better when you can hear the sound of the wind and the osprey ‘chatter.’ For more news on our osprey and other resident and migratory feathered friends, we encourage you to sign up for the monthly FI Birding email through the link in our bio. That’s where you’ll also find the OspreyCam.

Join us this Saturday, May 23 at 11 am for "GARDENING FROM THE GROUND UP: THE WHYS AND HOWS OF NATIVE PLANTS" to discove...
05/20/2026

Join us this Saturday, May 23 at 11 am for "GARDENING FROM THE GROUND UP: THE WHYS AND HOWS OF NATIVE PLANTS" to discover how native plants play a thrilling role in sustaining our food chain and environment on Fishers Island. This event features a series of lightning talks by Emily Baiden from the Wild Seed Project, local legends Diana Fiske and Dianne Crary, and Maggie Redfern from the CT College Arboretum – who will offer their stories and expertise on fresh, actionable tips for incorporating natural treasures into your own gardening projects! Learn how to transform your garden into a vibrant habitat that supports local wildlife, conserves water, and minimizes the need for harmful chemicals.

But that’s not all - all are invited to mingle with fellow nature enthusiasts at our reception and plant sale afterwards. And, Maggie will guide a delightful excursion into the HLFM Land Trust Wildlife Sanctuary, showcasing the beautiful trees she highlights in her talk. Come join the fun!

This event is organized by the Fishers Island Seagrass Management Coalition and sponsored by the Fishers Island Conservancy and the Henry L. Ferguson Museum. Program is free but space is limited, so be sure to reserve your spot today.

For more info, zoom link, and to register, please visit our website
https://fergusonmuseum.org/events/







Join us this Sunday, May 10 at 4 PM via ZOOM for "FROM DECLINES TO RECOVERY: A HALF CENTURY OF CHANGES IN MIGRATORY SONG...
05/07/2026

Join us this Sunday, May 10 at 4 PM via ZOOM for "FROM DECLINES TO RECOVERY: A HALF CENTURY OF CHANGES IN MIGRATORY SONGBIRD ABUNDANCE ON BLOCK ISLAND" - a virtually illustrated talk by Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center Outreach Coordinator Lauren Michael, who draws on more than 50 years of bird banding data from Block Island Banding Station – where each fall, thousands of young songbirds pass through on their first migration south.

This talk explores the history of one of the longest running bird-banding stations in North America, as well as how migratory songbird populations on Block Island have changed over time. By looking closely at long-term patterns, we uncover a more nuanced—and more hopeful—story about migratory songbirds, and what it may mean for their conservation today.

Above Yellow-rumped warbler, photo by Bonello, Jake, Public Domain via FWS

For more info and zoom link, please visit our website
https://fergusonmuseum.org/events/






During the annual spring burn, a fallen osprey platform was discovered—prompting a swift effort to bring it back before ...
04/29/2026

During the annual spring burn, a fallen osprey platform was discovered—prompting a swift effort to bring it back before the birds returned for the season.

Each year, the Henry L. Ferguson Museum works with the Fishers Island Fire Department to conduct a controlled burn that preserves the rare marine grassland at Middle Farms. This year, the burn revealed that a long-standing osprey pole near Beach Pond had toppled.

A new pole was donated by the Fishers Island Ferry District and dropped off at the site. Alex Williams, superintendent of the Hay Harbor Club golf course, and his assistant, Fergus Younger, along with Mikkel Pereira, son of the new president of the Utility Company, re-dug the hole, reattached the platform, and raised it back into place by hand.

As the team drove away, the ospreys returned—settling quickly into their restored home. A great example of the Fishers community coming together to steward the native flora and fauna we share this island with.

Read the full story on FishersIsland.net: https://fishersisland.net/hlf-museum-stewardship-in-action-at-middle-farms/

Fishers Island Ferry District

Join us this Sunday, April 26, at 4 PM via ZOOM for "ATLANTIC COAST PIPING PLOVERS: 40 YEARS ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY" a ...
04/23/2026

Join us this Sunday, April 26, at 4 PM via ZOOM for "ATLANTIC COAST PIPING PLOVERS: 40 YEARS ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY" a virtually illustrated talk by wildlife biologist, Maureen Durkin, who will highlight the fascinating ecology and behavior of one of our most notable local shorebird species. Hear all about this charismatic little bird, their delicate coastal habitat, and how you can help share our beaches. Piping plovers have been the focus of intensive conservation efforts since their listing under the Endangered Species Act in 1986. This is an opportunity to learn about the strides made toward recovery in the last four decades, current management strategies, and the challenges still facing the piping plover across its range.

For more info and zoom link, please visit our website
https://fergusonmuseum.org/events/







On Saturday, April 22, 1978, the Fishers Island Ferry District formally introduced the MV Munnatawket to the community w...
04/22/2026

On Saturday, April 22, 1978, the Fishers Island Ferry District formally introduced the MV Munnatawket to the community with a christening at Silver Eel Cove.

On October 4, 2022, the Munnatawket officially became the longest running ferry, surpassing her namesake, the first Munnatawket, which served Fishers Island from July of 1890 through December of 1934.

📷
1. Munnatawket Christening, April 22, 1978 (Museum Collection)
2. L to R, Mrs. Lawrence Baldwin, Richard Baker, Raymond Doyen and Mary Pankiewicz (Museum Collection)
3. Munnatawket enters Silver Eel, circa 1980s by Charles Morgan (Museum Collection)
4. Munnatawket Life Ring (Museum Collection)

Earth Day is a reminder that conservation isn’t an abstract idea—it’s a daily practice that starts with education and le...
04/22/2026

Earth Day is a reminder that conservation isn’t an abstract idea—it’s a daily practice that starts with education and leads to action.

At the Henry L. Ferguson Museum, conservation is an important part of our mission: protecting and restoring the island’s natural habitats, preserving its ecological character, and connecting people—especially the next generation—to the land and waters that define Fishers and the plants and animals we share it with.

Through stewardship of undeveloped land through the Museum's Land Trust, wildlife monitoring, supporting healthy habitat for our birds, animals, and native plants, and hands-on education, the Museum works to ensure that Fishers Island remains not just remembered, but actively cared for.

And we'd love your help! Stay tuned for a variety of ways to volunteer and join us in our mission.

Address

1109 Equestrian Avenue
Fishers Island, NY
06390

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 12:30pm
2pm - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 12:30pm
2pm - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 12:30pm
2pm - 4pm
Friday 10am - 12:30pm
2pm - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 12:30pm
Sunday 11am - 12pm

Telephone

(631) 788-7239

Website

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