Chances are that your local public library has a local history librarian who oversees a rich collection of images, artifacts, and information about your community. Today we highlight and celebrate one of this unique group - Natalie Korsavidis. She is the local history librarian at Farmingdale Public Library in Nassau (and a little bit of Suffolk) County.

Natalie walks us through how she became a local history librarian and the collection she oversees at the library. From this treasure trove she can tell the story of the early days when the area was known as Hardscrabble, through the years of agricultural development, to the heyday of aviation giants like Grumman, Fairchild, Republic, and Liberty. You'll also hear how she engages with the community and about the two bygone businesses that never fail to bring a smile to Farmingdalers (hint: Stern's Pickles is one).

Further Research

• Farmingdale Public Library Local History Resources
• Farmingdale Historical Collection (New York Heritage)
• American Airpower Museum
• Beyond the Rotunda podcast
• Intro Music: https://homegrownstringband.com/
• Outro music: Capering by Blue Dot Sessions CC BY-NC 4.0