Lindenhurst To Use $7.5K Grant To Conserve 100+ Year Old Bicycles

LINDENHURST, NY — For the second consecutive year, the Lindenhurst Historical Society will preserve a significant detail of the village's past — thanks to a $7,500 grant.

The society announced it is the recipient of a 2022 NYSCA/GHHN (New York State Council on the Arts/Greater Hudson Heritage Network) Conservation Treatment Grant Program award.

The grant will be used for the conservation of two historical bicycles; a chainless bicycle (c. 1900) and a velocipede (c. 1882).

Museum records indicate the velocipede was purchased in November 1882 by Louis Liebl, Sr. from G.L. Wrieth, the proprietor of the General Store. The “chainless” bicycle was used in early 1900 by Lindenhurst resident Harry Frevert. This bicycle was operated by a pedal driven drive shaft as opposed to a more typical bicycle chain, a release said.

Lindenhurst Village Historian, Anna Jaeger explained, that the bicycle was a revolutionary invention for travel and women's independence. This phenomenon was reflected in Lindenhurst.

“Nationally, during the late 1800s, bicycles were ‘all the rage’," said Jaeger in a release. "Bicycles were emblematic of societal changes, providing men more easily accessible personal mobility, but for women, bicycles represented a catalyst for change, allowing the opportunity to break Victorian societal norms and conventions of behavior and attire"

Bicycles represented a way to move about more freely and were less cumbersome than horses, while offering more personal flexibility beyond the constraints of train schedules, routes and costs, Jaeger said.

They also became status symbols, and inspired sport, fellowship and entrepreneurialism.

In the late 1800s, the community boasted more than 30 bicycle owners.

"Bicycle ownership put riders in a sphere of attention and note. Distinguished Lindenhurst citizens gained attention when they purchased a bicycle, among them Louis Strong, Gustave Hahn (the first Lindenhurst president) and Professor Schaible."

In 1896, these prominent local riders organized into fraternal groups, including the Lindenhurst Bicycle Club and the Progress Wheelmen. Each boasted a membership roster of prominent
citizens as well as matching attire including knickerbockers, sweaters, and emblem emblazed caps.

Both male and female riders took part in “rides” that would test endurance and became a proving ground for skill. Lindenhurst cyclists were drawn to weekend bicycle rides and races, riding along South Road (which is now Montauk Highway). Bicycle “runs” took the cycling groups as far north as Kings Park and as far west as Freeport.

In 1898, residents even voted to construct a bicycle path that would traverse the Town from east to west along the north side of South Road (Montauk Highway). The Lindenhurst section stretched between Strong’s Brook and Ford’s Pond.

The conservation treatment for these artifacts will begin in early March and continue through the summer. The conservator, Kate Wight, will complete the conservation treatment for each bicycle.

Once the treatment is completed, the Lindenhurst Historical Society will display the bicycles at the Old Village Hall Museum and the 1901 Restored Long Island Rail Road and Freight House Museum, both located at Irmisch Park in Lindenhurst, at the intersection of South Broadway and South Third Street.

The display will help to mark the Village's 100th anniversary.

Last year, the Village used grant money from the NYSCA/GHHN award to conserve drums performed during the Civil War and at special events.