Preserving City Island's Nautical Heritage
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WELCOME
Volunteer Opportunity
The City Island Nautical Museum is looking for volunteers to be docents at the Museum on weekends (Saturdays and Sundays, 1 PM to 4 PM).
If you are interested, please email us (cinmcityisland@gmail.com).
At the City Island Nautical Museum, we invite you to embark on a journey through the captivating maritime history of our beloved island community.
The Museum will re-open for the 2027 season on Saturdays and Sundays starting in April 2027.
Private tours are available; please email us.
Please see below for the latest Museum News. For more Museum Moments, explore this link.
1776 and the
Campaign for New York
On Thursday, October 22, Col (Ret) Michael Clancy, who is also the Museum's President, offered a presentation in line with the celebration of America 250. His talk centered on Revolutionary War battles in 1776 in this area. Providing some tactical insights from his own military training / background, the talk encouraged both questions and further study.
Plans are in place to continue Museum talks, even as we have closed for the season.
City Island's Native Plants:
A Presentation by Hailey Clancy
What plants were originally here on City Island? What plants here are invasive versus native? What is the relationship between animals and insects and those native plants? These questions and more were answered during the September 24, 2026 talk by Hailey Clancy about "City Island's Native Plants."
The presentation, introduced by Michael Clancy, Museum President and Hailey's husband, was followed by a lively question and answer session as listeners assessed their own gardens.
Watch for news on October and November talks.
'The Pre-History of City Island'
Museum Talk
The Walsh Library was filled to capacity for the July 22, 2026 talk, "The Pre-History of City Island," by Eric W. Sanderson, Vice President for Urban Conservation Strategy at the New York Botanical Garden and author of "Mannahatta: A Natural History of New York City." Our thanks to all who attended, and a big thank you to Eric Sanderson for an interesting and thought-provoking presentation.
Our series of talks continues at the Museum. Watch for news on others to come.
"What Was There Back Then?":
First in Series of Museum Talks
The first in a series of events planned at the City Island Nautical Museum this season took place on Saturday, June 20. “What Was There Back Then? A Look Back at City Island Shops & Spots Over the Years” drew more than 30 persons, veteran City Islanders, new residents, and those curious about the history of favorite shops, restaurants, and businesses. The hour-plus conversation between those gathered filled the Museum’s library with lively conversation and many memories.
P.S. 175 Visits Nautical Museum
On this Monday, May 18, "International Museum Day," we welcomed Third Graders from P.S. 175 The City Island School for a special tour of the Museum. Filled with lots of questions and great excitement, the students explored each room. At the end of the visit, when asked what their favorite part was, they declared together: "Everything!"
Bring your school to the City Island Nautical Museum. Private tours are available during the week. Please email us.
