the long island maritime museum was founded in 1966 on the waterfront grounds of the former meadowedge estate of mrs. florence bourne hard in west sayville. florence hard was the daughter of frederick gilbert bourne, president of singer sewing machine from 1889 to 1905. charged with the mission of preserving long island's maritime history and heritage for educational purposes, the museum has been welcoming visitors from all over the world for over 40 years.