SJC Long Island’s Assistant Art Professor Susan Van Scoy, Ph.D., held a gallery talk and a book signing Monday for her new book, “The Big Duck and Beyond: Eastern Long Island’s Duck Farming Industry.”
Never-before-seen historical photographs of Suffolk County’s architectural Big Duck landmark — as well as of duck farming on Long Island — are being displayed in the Board Room until Thursday, April 4. The photographs are among the nearly 200 that appear in Dr. Van Scoy’s book.
The Big Duck, built in 1931 by duck farmer Martin Maurer of Riverhead, originally served a store where Maurer sold Peking duck to locals. The 18-foot-tall by 30-foot-wide duck-shaped building, which moved in 1988 and returned to its original location in 2007, now serves as a gift shop and East End tourist information center. It’s also where you can buy copies of Dr. Van Scoy’s new book.
“I think and I hope that this Big Duck is finally here to stay and found its home,” Dr. Van Scoy said.
