The Port Washington Library Foundation

The 1892 Society offers Library Foundation donors the unique opportunity for personal engagement in the life and work of the Library. With annual gifts of $1,000 and above, this group will help us provide critical funds to support the needs of the Port Washington Public Library not covered by taxes and to maintain its viability for future generations. You will also play a key role in helping the Foundation provide full and sustainable funding to make possible the vision of the Library for the benefit of the entire Port Washington community.
Membership Benefits

E-Invitations to all Library Council Events and Library Programs
Private Consultation with a librarians to aid in building a home library
Special invitation to Foundation sponsored events such as the Vogel Distinguished
Photographer in Residence and Jackie Spielman Children’s Storytelling Event
Invitations for a behind-the-scenes tour of the Library
Recognition of your support in the Library Newsletter and the Foundation Annual Report
Recognition of your support on the Library’s entryway door wall and virtual giving donor wall.

On Wednesday, December 5, at 7:30 pm in the Lapham Meeting Room of the Port Washington Public Library, renowned photographer Peter B. Kaplan will share his photographs and his adventures shooting them as speaker in the second annual Martin Vogel Distinguished Photographers Lecture series. A specialist in what he calls “height photography,” Mr. Kaplan practically invented an entire genre of photography shooting images from tall structures. From coast to coast he has photographed some of America’s mightiest bridges and many of its famous skyscrapers. Some of his photos of New York’s vertical wonders, such as the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, the Statue of Liberty, and the World Trade Center, have achieved iconic status and have been reproduced countless times. Mr. Kaplan’s photographs are on display all of November and December in the Martin Vogel Photography Gallery at the library.

The lecture series and the photography gallery are funded with private donations through the Port Washington Library Foundation. For more information about the Foundation and its work, call 883-4400 Ext. 180 or visit pwpl.org/foundation.

The public is invited to attend the unveiling of a replica of the Sandminers Monument on Friday, November 30, at 7:30 pm in the Joan and Arnold Saltzman Reading Room of the Port Washington Public Library. This replica is being presented to the library as the gift of a private donor as thanks for the work of the Local History Center and its director Elly Shodell in preserving the history of Port Washington in general and of the sand mines in particular. The monument will be on permanent display in the library. The original, a life size bronze sculpture created by noted sculptor Edward Jonas, is located on West Shore Road near the last remaining tunnel used by the sand mining companies in the Hempstead Harbor area. It has been estimated that over 140 million yards of sand were delivered from Port Washington to New York City–enough sand to cover the Empire State Building with sand extending from the East River to the Hudson River and from 14th Street to 59th Street. It is estimated that 90 percent of the concrete used in the city was from Port Washington sand. The last sand mining company that operated these sandbanks ceased operation in 1989.

The Port Washington Library Foundation is featured on News 12 after receiving a large donation from a single donor – Mr. Arnold Saltzman.

Ninth Inspiration Gala

By all accounts our 9th Inspiration Gala was an overwhelming success with more than 200 guests enjoying a beautifully transformed library. Our guests have told us that the flowers were lovely, the food delicious, and the performance by NPR’s Selected Shorts actors Joanna Gleason and David Furr memorable. They were especially impressed with the wonderful patriotic décor and the impressive PWPL@120 local history exhibit highlighting the first 120 years of the library. Our donors helped us to successfully raise over $130,000 to help the Port Washington Library Foundation continue to provide funding for the Port Washington Library.