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Nada Barry, owner of The Wharf Shop in Sag Harbor, will be the The Church’s Knowledge Friday guest on May 2. COURTESY THE CHURCH
The next speaker at The Church’s Knowledge Friday series on May 2, at 6 p.m. will be Nada Barry, a pillar of the Sag Harbor community who is deeply involved in its success, spirit, and integrity. As the proprietor of the Wharf Shop on Main Street, Barry is also an easily recognizable and beloved Sag Harborian. Presenting the “adventures of a life well lived,” Barry will tell all, sharing autobiographical anecdotes and her zest for life. Following the discussion there will be a Q&A.
Nada Barry was born in England in 1930 and arrived in the United States just before the onset of World War II. Her life has taken her around the world on various daring journeys, from her years sailing the Caribbean to the time she traveled with her family through Mexico City in a Winnebago, and her stories are rich with experience, wit and laughter.
She has co-founded a school and dedicated herself to the needs of the South Fork’s young people, and her experience at the Wharf Shop has been most rewarding. At 94, she is an indispensable source of insight, intrigue, and inspiration. Join us as we learn from a local legend who knows a thing or two about creativity — and how to harness it in your everyday life.
The Wharf Shop has been owned by Nada Barry and her daughter, Gwen Waddington, for more than 50 years. The family-owned traditional toy and gift store has been an anchor on Sag Harbor’s Main Street since 1968. Barry called on her studies in child development and psychology, as well as her own experiences as a parent, when she became a co-founder of the Hampton Day School in Bridgehampton. She also launched one of the first art galleries in Sag Harbor, transforming a section within the Wharf Shop into an exhibition space for local artists and talent. She is a co-founder of the Sag Harbor Chamber of Commerce and co-creator of the Sag Harbor Youth Committee. She has been instrumental in creating youth programs that reach beyond athletics, including the Youth Advocacy and Resource Development (YARD) program, as well as Sagharborkids.org.
Tickets are $10 (members free with RSVP) at thechurchsagharbor.org. The Church is at 48 Madison Street in Sag Harbor.
Staff Writer on Apr 13, 2025