Library unveils mural depicting village’s history

A mural depicting the people and places of the Village of Freeport since the mid-1600s, unveiled April 23, pays homage to those who have contributed to make the village what it is today.

Created by local artist Marc Josloff, the vibrantly colored mural on the Freeport Memorial Library’s west wall represents the culmination of years of planning and dedication.

During the unveiling event, Josloff addressed a large crowd of supporters and spoke about his inspiration, thought process, and challenges in creating the mural.

“Through the mural, residents and visitors can learn about the history of Freeport and all of its people, places and things,” Josloff said.

His concept, to cover the village’s history and culture, evolved from his initial plan to create a three-panel mural outside the library on the parking lot entrance wall. The actual painting took nearly two years to complete, and was finished earlier this year. 

Josloff’s original idea was to have three panels, each 2 by 4 feet, depicting the history of Freeport from the 1600s to the present day. He was inspired by other murals in the area, such as William Gropper’s mural in the U.S. Post Office and Frances Streit's mural in the Freeport Recreation Center. 

Josloff grew up in Levittown and moved to Freeport in 1976 to stay closer to his family. He has been a resident ever since.

“I loved the fact that Freeport was a diversified community; that definitively added to the equation,” Josloff said.

Josloff used a blend of different art movements to create his own consistent style, which is closest to the work of Paul Gauguin, with exaggerated colors and painted outlines. He used acrylic paints for the mural and chose aluminum sheets for durability.

The mural depicts the evolution of regular residents throughout the years; Civil War soldiers; Albert Grover, who navigated the Atlantic Ocean; and contributors to the arts, sports, music, and TV production industry, among others. It also includes notable community members such Carman Cornelius, the first president of Freeport (the equivalent of today’s mayors) and individuals involved in the education system. 

The partnership between the Freeport Memorial Library and the Freeport Historical Society was also highlighted during the ceremony. Regina Feeney, librarian and library archivist, spoke about the digitization of Freeport’s history and making it available for Josloff to create the mural. Feeney expressed her excitement about getting history out of “locked rooms, basements, and attics” and making it accessible to the public.’

Mayor Robert Kennedy, Superintendent of Schools Kishore Kuncham, and state Assemblyman Brian Curran were present at the event.

“Thank you for this exceptional piece of art,” Kennedy said. “We are looking forward to sharing it with thousands of visitors in the future.”

The unveiling ceremony was also attended by the sons of Dr. Pauline Viola Grissom (née West), a majorette, educator and civil rights activist who is portrayed in the third panel of the mural. They came from Chicago, Atlanta and Harlem to honor their mother. 

Also featured in the third panel is Albert Grover, who set a world record by sailing 3,000 miles from Nova Scotia to Portugal in a 26-foot skiff in 1985. His son, Sean Grover, enthusiastically shared his experience of being 19 years old at the time and having to keep his mother calm during his father’s trans-Atlantic journey.

After the unveiling ceremony, guests moved into the lobby for refreshments hosted by the Friends of the Freeport Memorial Library and enjoyed music by the Freeport High School Caprice orchestra.

Josloff, with the help of the library, designed a booklet that accompanies the mural and provides detailed information about each element in the artwork. Each section is keyed with a number and has a corresponding narration. Josloff hopes that people will use the booklet to learn about the history of Freeport and its people, places, and things, and that schools could use the booklet for student projects.

He also wants people to have a love for the community they are living in and for the mural to be meaningful to them, regardless of how long they have lived in Freeport.

“I hope that anyone who visits Freeport, regardless of whether they are new to the community or have lived here for a long time, will be drawn to the mural and take the time to explore it,” Josloff said. “By doing so, they can learn more about the history and culture of Freeport, and hopefully develop a deeper appreciation for the community they call home.”