InstaGRAM Report: Highlights from the Summer 2026 Long Island Motor Parkway Preservation Society Meeting
On June 24th, the Long Island Motor Parkway Preservation Society gathered to share updates on all aspects of the Long Island Motor Parkway's history at the beautiful 150 Motor Parkway building.
We had over 45 members in attendance to watch Howard and Al give their insights moderated by Greg O.
The videos from the meeting will be posted in the future.
Thanks to the Damianos Realty Group for hosting the meeting.
By Gram Spina
Our two star speakers for the meeting: Al Velocci and Howard Kroplick.
Important items on display during this year's meeting included a very rare original 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Races promotional poster. This advertised the upcoming races and was typically attached to a tree trunk. It has been restored under Howard’s ownership.
Along with the poster above, Howard brought two of his Long Island Motor Parkway plates. The green number 16 plate is the oldest currently known plate, dating to 1921. The red-and-white plate was gifted to Marty Himes during the 2013 Long Island Motor Parkway Preservation Society meeting. After Marty died in 2023, the Himes family gifted it back to Howard.
Every seat was filled for the meeting with both newcomers and longtime members in attendance.
Howard spoke about the Newsday article featuring his latest Long Island Motor Parkway plate discoveries.
Greg O showed attendees the Long Island Motor Parkway plate that was once gifted to and owned by Marty Himes.
The Marty Himes estate has reached its closing state. Howard and his team assisted the Himes familyfind new homes for the items and cars once on display in The Himes Museum of Motor Racing Nostalgia.
Howard and Al discussed how they first became interested in uncovering the history of the Vanderbilt Cup Races.
Al told us how he got the idea to publish his book, “The Toll Lodges of the Long Island Motor Parkway and their Gatekeepers’ Lives,” and discussed the impact it has had on the awareness of, and excitement about, the history of the Long Island Motor Parkway among his readers.
A view from the back of the room during the presentation. Hey, attendees, can you find yourself?
Reminiscing about memories from the Town of North Hempstead Clean-Up Day back in April 2013.
The Q & A segment was filled with creative questions for Howard and Al.
The meeting ended with a book signing for both Howard’s and Al’s Motor Parkway related books.
Thank you to all who attended! Stay tuned for the YouTube video series from the meeting.
Comments