Go Back To 1897 And Witness The First Moving Pictures Shown In Sag Harbor During “Fridays On The Porch”

The Sag Harbor Historical Society is hosting its annual Fridays on the Porch on Friday, July 28 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Annie Cooper Boyd House in Sag Harbor. During the Society’s latest installation, you can see the first moving pictures “Edison’s Wonderful Projectoscope” that came to Sag Harbor in 1897 by D.W. Robertson and the Moving Pictures Company.

Dan Sabloski, a local history enthusiast, will take you all the way back to 1897 to witness actual clips of the moving pictures shown in Sag Harbor.

“Fridays on the Porch are a great way for community members and visitors to come together and hear about our rich and wonderful history,” said Nancy Remkus of the Sag Harbor Historical Society. “Local history buff, Dan Sabloski, has researched the early films that came to Sag Harbor in 1897.”

Robertson was one of the first people to purchase a “Projectoscope” and he travelled to Sag Harbor by train making stops in Freeport, Patchogue, and Southampton. The company travelled with a crew including a pianist, magician, and illustrated songs.

“He will be talking about this amazing bit of history while also showing bits of the films that were first shown in Sag Harbor,” Remkus shared. “You’ll take a step back in time and see what it may have been like to sit in a theater in 1897.”

This will be a fun, community event for the whole East End to enjoy. Everyone is welcome and refreshments will be served.

The Annie Cooper Boyd House is located at 174 Main Street in Sag Harbor. For more information, call 631-725-5092 or visit sagharborhistorical.org.