Nada Barry To Receive Sag Harbor Partnership’s Community Service Award

The Sag Harbor Partnership has selected Nada Barry, a longtime Sag Harbor resident and owner of the beloved Wharf Shop, as the 2018 Community Service Award recipient. The Partnership will host an invitation-only celebration dinner in Barry’s honor at Baron’s Cove on October 21.

“The Partnership is thrilled to be honoring Nada Barry,” shared April Gornik, Partnership Vice President. “She has been involved in whatever happens in Sag Harbor, especially when it comes to children, for as long as she’s been a part of this Village. We will be celebrating her outstanding concern, generosity, and compassion.”

Barry, who is originally from England, traveled the world before settling in Sag Harbor. She studied Child Developmental Psychology in college and was inspired by her own children to co-found The Hampton Day School in Bridgehampton.

Wanting to create a space where innovative, creative toys and games could be found and her adoration for youth led to the opening of the Wharf Shop in 1968. She launched one of Sag Harbor’s first art galleries by transforming the back of the Wharf Shop into a venue where local talent and artists could exhibit their works.

After being denied a seat at The Round Table, the merchant organization that preceded the Sag Harbor Chamber of Commerce, because she was a woman, Barry along with David Lee and Jack Taggliasacchi founded the Chamber. About 40 years ago, wanting to encourage visitors and the community to visit the Village, the Chamber co-founders got creative. They created a sign very, very similar to the Highway Department’s common green & white signs that was adorned with Sag Harbor” and an arrow pointing to a turn off towards the village. Their effort was successful and it actually took three years before it donned on the Highway Department that the sign wasn’t authentic.

Barry joined forces with Linley Whelan about 20 years ago to create the Sag Harbor Youth Committee. When the duo came across some minor vandalism in the Village, they set out to establish alternative programs and activities for youth to supplement the already-available athletic programs. Their idea flourished and led to the Youth Advocacy and Resource Development (YARD) program, as well as the SagHarborKids.org about 8 years ago – which is still incredibly popular.

When it comes to the Sag Harbor community, especially when it comes to the youth, Barry is always ready to lend a helping hand.