'Finest Kind' of Fishing Folk

This weekend, the East Hampton Historical Society’s Clinton Academy opens “Finest Kind,” an exhibition featuring photographs by Doug Kuntz that document the East End’s fishing heritage, as well as works by photographers Dan Budnick, John Chao, Lynn Johnson and Danny Lyon. The show opens at the Clinton Academy on Saturday, February 10, with a reception from 3 to 5 p.m.

Curated by Stacy Myers and Tim Regan, the show revisits Kuntz's 1983 exhibition which focused on the lives of commercial fishermen in the 1980s, capturing a way of life that is now inseparably linked to Long Island's cultural heritage and stands as a poignant testament to the enduring spirit of local fisherman.

The 1983 premiere of this show in Albany marked the beginning of a significant conversation aimed at reforming striped bass legislation, fostering a unique dialogue between fishermen and scientists. The exhibition traveled to the Amagansett Schellinger House in the summer of 1984, before finding permanent residence in the archives of the East Hampton Town Marine Museum on Bluff Road in Amagansett.

In the spring of 2023, Stacy Myers, the education director at the East Hampton Town Marine Museum, and Tim Regan, a waterman and founder of South Fork Salt, began the meticulous task of organizing and cleaning the exhibit. As they sifted through the pieces, community members were excited to reconnect with familiar faces in the photographs, sparking fond recollections of shared experiences and challenging days at sea. Encouraged by these responses, Myers and Regan curated select images from the portfolio as tribute to the rich history, photographers and individuals documented in this collection. Several of the images were included in the two-volume special edition of the book, “Men's Lives,” signed by the author, Peter Matthiessen, which will be available to view alongside the display.

This is the first time in 40 years that most of these works are being displayed, providing the community with a space to share stories and celebrate the enduring legacy of the fishermen documented within its frames. Walking through the show with Myers for the first time, Kuntz was visibly moved as he reflected on the faces of friends who had passed away, emphasizing that while time may pass, their significance remains undiminished.

“Finest Kind” will be on view through the months of February and March at the Clinton Academy, 151 Main Street, East Hampton. In the show’s second month, newer imagery by Kuntz will be on display. For more information on the East Hampton Historical Society, visit easthamptonhistory.org.