Remembering Gil Bergen
On this episode, we honor the memory of Gil Bergen, superintendent of the Connetquot River State Park Preserve, and his long service to the Park and the memory of the South Side Sportsmen’s Club.
Gil was one of the last links to the history of the Club, which was founded in 1866 by a group of prominent New Yorkers who incorporated to preserve and maintain the landscape around their favorite tavern: Snedecor’s Inn.
This interview was recorded in 2007 and was previously featured on the Dowling Colege Library Omnibus podcast. The recording includes Sallie Kachell and Rhoda McManus of Oakdale.
3 thoughts on “Remembering Gil Bergen”
Chris, What a great thing to have and at just the right time. This could have been another piece of history lost. When I think back to all the people who are now gone and what they could have told us I could cry. Connie
We received this additional comment from listener Beverly Sutton Lawrence:
“I hope Connetquot’s helm will be guided by another whose hand will be as steady, as was Gil’s. I hope it will be someone whose heart will be entwined with Connetquot’s own, as was Gil’s. I hope it will be someone who will think of the position as a privilege, as did Gil. I hope the Friends of Connetquot and other bereaved groups that benefited from Gil’s humour-laced LI history lessons will find just the right thing, to create a remembrance to honour Gil.
I hope little will change, in Connetquot’s daily life; and I hope that in everything that exists, there within the once-hidden Gem of Long Island, Gil’s spirit will continue to soar. “Hope … the thing with feathers … perched in the soul” (Emily Dickinson) Thank you for reposting this interview. It was so nice to once again hear that melodious voice speaking of his one and truest love.”
Thank you, Beverly.
In the context of people interactions, when even upon a few minutes of topical, informal talk with Gil, one was instantly bestowed with a caliber of affectionate hospitality even if never knowing the entire storied tradition of the property and the long list of prominent figures he had known. To me, he truly stood as a lingering link of Long Island’s and America’s genteel history all the while unassumingly driving through the park wearing his green boonie hat. If one could ask, “does love of nature, its creatures and balance of land and water impart a refining and breeding of character,” Gil instantly came to mind just as such an example. A few years back, during wintery March, I over extended my cross country skiing jaunt by ten to fifteen minutes beyond 6:00 pm closing time. When I got back to the parking lot, off to the side of entrance booth, Gil sat in his truck next to my car and said, “I wouldn’t even think of closing the park until seeing you safely back.”
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