His Vision Of New Montauk Native American Museum

“Build it and they will come.” That would seem to be Laurence Cooke’s mantra for a dream to create a Native American museum in Montauk that was triggered by an awakening he experienced just after 9/11. The terrorist attacks profoundly affected this New York City fireman who moved to Montauk full-time in 1995 with his wife Ellen and two teenage sons. Mr. Cooke knew and had worked with many of the 343 firefighters who lost their lives.

Working to cope with his emotions from the trauma of the event, he began to take healing walks. On one of the walks he discovered a spear point, which became a soothing talisman for him.

“It started me on a path to a lifestyle change and opened my eyes to a deeper awareness of the truth about myself,” he said. “It helped me find peace of mind, as I also thought about what was the truth of these Native American people.”

He continued his walks when he moved to a house he built on Essex Street. He found more arrowheads as well as other Native American artifacts around his property, some as old as 12,000 years. The discoveries sparked an interest in learning more about the indigenous culture reflected in his growing collection. The Montauk Library was a source in the beginning of this quest. He is eager to show others a small, varied portion of his impressive collection, and is excited to describe the stories he deciphered from different types of artifacts.

Mr. Cooke joined the Montauk Historical Society, having been encouraged by a friend, board member Pat Smyth, and also started to visit many museums to expand his knowledge. Eventually he was able to connect with writers, archaeologists, and others interested and knowledgeable on the subject. They included archaeologists Gaynell Stone and Maria-Louise Sidoroff as well as Richard Hendrickson, the well known East End weather observer, who has an extensive artifact collection and became a fast friend. “I wanted to learn from anybody who could tell me about these things,” Mr. Cooke said.

His passion eventually led him to travel to the Cultural Resources Center, the amazing storehouse for the Smithsonian Museum’s Native American collection in Suitland, Maryland. “I was like a kid in a candy store,” he said.

“I began to dream that maybe we could have an Indian museum at Second House,” Mr. Cooke said. “It would be an ambitious museum that would tell the history of the indigenous people who occupied this area for thousands of years before our European ancestors.”

Mr. Cooke was able to attract the interest of Montauk Historical Society’s Dick White who suggested he create a plan. Mr. Hendrickson facilitated a family connection to Bridgehampton architect Peter Wilson who would eventually draw up plans for a small building to house the collections behind the Second House Museum. Besides Mr. Wilson, considerable support and assistance for the project was freely given by surveyor Billy Walsh, attorney George Biondo, Richard Barons of the East Hampton Historical Society and Ms. Sidoroff.

His wife, Ellen, a former college professor and currently a prekindergarten teacher at St. Therese School, wrote up the mission statement.

The Museum of the Montauk Indian, under the care of the Montauk Historical Society, is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the history and culture of the Montauk Indian. Through exhibits, demonstrations, lectures, and events the museum will bring the story of the original inhabitants to the public.

The proposal pointed to the building of the structure on the grounds of the Second House Museum and that the sole museum focus would be on Native American history. It would be operated by the historical society; would be built with private funds and would provide educational opportunities for local children and adults as well as groups from neighboring communities.

Last September 16, a meeting was held at East Hampton Town Hall to discuss the feasibility of expanding the meeting house cottage on the grounds of Second House to house the museum. Besides members of the Town Board, interested parties included Mr. Wilson, the architect, Betsy White, president of the Montauk Historical Society, Montauk Indian Chief Bob Pharaoh, Ms. Sidoroff, Katherine Nadeau, recording secretary of the Montauk Historical Society, and Mr. Cooke himself, the project’s director.

The meeting resulted in: an offer of guidance for the group in implementing the necessary requirements in order to proceed with plans for the museum and the willingness of the board to waive application fees for the nonprofit organization. An agreement was also reached that no public funding would be allocated for the project.

Mr. Wilson created plans, and now Mr. Cooke is dealing with the logistics of this somewhat unusual permit—applying to the town to build on its property. Currently, his wife is writing a required narrative to describe the museum’s use, parking requirements and other concerns for a full site-plan review and a public hearing.

There are other issues, primarily concerning the septic system. Though Mr. Cooke hasn’t officially started fundraising yet, money for a test hole was required. Perry Haberman of the Montauk Book Store, enthusiastic about the project, underwrote the cost. Engineer Dennis Cisco will work on the septic issues, as the existing septic systems on the property are substandard.

“I wish the town would work with me to bring one septic system up to par,” said Mr. Cooke, “but they don’t seem to be wanting to do that.” Nevertheless, he is determined to proceed, pointing to tradespeople who have volunteered to work on the project and the recent connection to a Stony Brook student who is a grant writer.

“There’s no reason not to do it,” he said, reiterating that he is a facilitator, and sees the evolution of this project in the unfolding of events. “Everything is connection and there is so much connection here that it’s hard for me to describe. It all points in this direction:

Because I got so interested, my intention has consistently been strong to know more, and the research and information has come to me; and the people have come to me; now the money has to come, and when the money comes, the dream will start to get built. The building will be there; and the people will come.”