Thursday, October 1, 2026
The North Shore Historical Museum preserves the people, places and events that shaped Glen Cove and surrounding North Shore communities. Here are three things to know about the museum.
Its building is part of the history
The museum is housed in Glen Cove’s former Justices Court Building at 140 Glen St. Constructed in 1907, the building is listed on the state and national registers of historic places.
Sterling Glen of Glen Cove donated the former courthouse to the museum, and the building was restored to serve as its permanent home. Some of its original features remain part of the visitor experience, including the judges’ chambers and a jail cell.
Exhibits highlight local stories
The museum presents rotating exhibitions alongside permanent displays about North Shore history. Exhibits like, “The Shot Heard Round the World,” examines the region’s history from 1776 to 2026 as the nation marks the 250th anniversary of American independence.
Their exhibits use artifacts, historical books and explanatory text to explore the North Shore’s involvement in the Revolutionary War and its experience during the British occupation of Long Island. It also includes photographs and a commemorative flag from Glen Cove’s 1976 Bicentennial celebration.
Permanent displays cover subjects including the Harlem Hellfighters, Glen Cove businesses, local maps and the work of artist George Gách.
Programs bring history to life
The museum offers lectures, community events and educational programs intended to make local history accessible to visitors of different ages.
Its mock trial program gives students an opportunity to portray attorneys and witnesses inside the former courthouse. The program includes a tour of the building and one or two scripted civil or criminal trials. It is designed primarily for students in grades four through 12 and can be adjusted for participants’ ages and reading levels.
The museum is open Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. Mock trials are scheduled by request. For information about exhibits and upcoming programs, visit northshorehistoricalmuseum.org
