The Malverne Historical and Preservation Society has proven that “home is where the heart is” — instilling its members with a deep emotional connection between a person and a place — by holding a meet-and-greet for neighboring historical societies on Sept. 28.
Guests enjoyed tea and refreshments, as well as the opportunity to tour the society’s house, at 369 Ocean Ave., featuring distinct sections of history of both the village and its residents.
The house provides patrons the opportunity to travel back in time — as early as the late 19th century — exploring artifacts ranging from world wars to sporting events. Vintage cameras, bottled wine, and even an old Grate door from the Bank of Malverne could be found inside.
The two-floor historic home holds various exhibits highlighting the history of the town and its people.
Amy Bentley, a visiting trustee from the Valley Stream Historical Society, expressed an appreciation for the opportunity to tour the Malverne house, adding that it “unearths the physical beauty of the area.”
David Weinstein, a longtime Malverne resident and president of its historical society, has been a board member for nearly 15 years, carrying on his father’s legacy at the society by also serving as the village historian.
Weinstein found a deep calling for preserving history at a young age. During the seventh grade, Weinstein explained that his social studies topic for that year was New York State, a subject he liked because he could “reach out and touch it.”
As he grew older, Weinstein got more involved in the community, becoming active president of the Malverne Volunteer Ambulance Corps. He also served in the chief’s office for the Malverne Fire Department from 1973 to 1977.
Some time later, Weinstein said he felt it was necessary to “Keep Malverne a Mayberry” town, referring to an idyllic fictional town, a term often representing small-town life highlighting neighborly values, slow pace, and innocence. Weinstein wants to help Malverne continue to be a safe and friendly hometown. He added that the historical society provided him with an opportunity to learn more about the village, and be a liaison for future generations.
“I wanted to learn more about it, and also pass on the information that I know about the village to people, so they can tell their children, tell their family about the lovely village in which they all live in, and how we got to what we have,” he said.
Like Weinstein, the opportunity to learn about one’s hometown and its history has attracted the interest of many other community members.
Trevor Loew, historical society board member for just over a year and a younger member of the community, explained that providing a place like the Malverne house for families and future generations is important because it preserves local history. Loew reflected on the significance of younger people getting involved to preserve the “great educational environment,” calling it their “responsibility.”
“Young people should continue to seek out opportunities to get involved, because when things like this go away, they’re gone forever,” Loew said. “You can never get them back, so it’s our responsibility as a younger generation to preserve them so they’ll be there for future generations.”
Loew oversees the fundraising aspect of the Malverne house’s operations, with events like taking pictures with Santa, or the annual gala at the Knights of Columbus. “My goal is to help them raise funds so they can sustain and maintain the house,” he said.
Since 1986, The Malverne Historical Society has been committed to organizing, preserving, and displaying historical information pertaining to Malverne and neighboring communities. It has also developed to preserve older structures and landmarks, promoting the identity of Malverne as a community.
“It’s the opportunity to give a person, or Malverne, or anyone outside our village, to look in the historical house, to see what Malverne was yesterday or yesteryear, and we can explain to them (what Malverne once was),” Weinstein said.
For more information, visit MalverneHistory.org.
