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Photos: Vintage Fire Island

Photos: Vintage Fire Island

Photos: Vintage Fire Island

Celebrate the start of the Fire Island season with these spectacular photos from seasons past.

The first day of May has different significance for different people, depending on where you live. But if you live in New York City—or like to summer nearby—May 1 means the beginning of the Fire Island season. And this year promises to be one of the biggest ever on the barrier island, located off the coast of Long Island. Not only is 2013 the 60th anniversary of the founding of Fire Island Pines, one of two predominately LGBT communities on the island (along with Cherry Grove), FIP's legendary club the Pavilion, which burned down in 2011, will re-open on Memorial Day weekend. In salute to the start of the season, here's a look back at some of previous seasons in the Pines, courtesy of the Fire Island Pines Historical Preservation Society. (Find more photos on FIPHPS's Facebook page.)

 


This is where it all started in the early 1950s. People came to Lone Hill (as the Pines was called then) because of its beauty and privacy.

 


The Cherry Grove Ferry Service made its maiden voyage to the newly named Fire Island Pines in 1953. Fifty-four people were on that first ride, which cost $1.15 roundtrip.

 


The Sandpiper, which is where the Pavilion now stands, was a FIP hotspot from 1965-1979.

 


Montgomery Clift lived in the Pines off and on from 1962-1966.

 


A walk in the Pines, 1966.

 


Fire Island friends, 1970.

 


Classic Fire Island Pines homes, 1976.

The legendary "Invasion," where Cherry Grove residents (most of them in drag), "invade" the Pines, 1977.

 


The "Pines Guy," 1977.

 


The Pavilion, 1980.

 


The Beach Olympics, 1981.

 
The Beach Olympics, 1981.

 


The Pines Fashion Show, 1981

 


The 6th annual Morning Party, benefiting GMHC, 1988.

 


The 8th annual Morning Party, benefiting GMHC, 1990.


Priscilla, Queen of the Desert invades the Pines, 2009.

 

Kelly Rowland at the Ascension Party, 2009.

 


The Pines celebrates marriage equality in New York, 2011.

 


The Invasion, 2012.

Advocate Channel - The Pride StoreOut / Advocate Magazine - Fellow Travelers & Jamie Lee Curtis

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