Creation of the Taylor's Island Preservation and Management Committee

Taylor's Island (deed) was left to the Town of Shelter Island "for the use and enjoyment of the general public" by S. Gregory Taylor (Soterios Gregorios Tavoulares) in his last will and testament and accepted by the Town of Shelter Island in 1979.

Under the terms of the will, Mr. Taylor's nephew, Stephen Stephano, had the use of Taylor's Island until his death, which occurred in 1997. The Town took actual possession of the Island in 1998.

The Town of Shelter Island and The Nature Conservancy entered into a Memorandum of Understanding in August of 2001 for the management of Taylor's Island. An attachment to the agreement, called Exhibit "A", included plans to "Remove the house that currently occupies the site." Fortunately, a public outcry ensued and the plan was abandoned.

In November of 2005, Councilman Peter Reich introduced conceptual drawings and a plan to "demolish the house, leaving the fireplace and chimney." The Shelter Island Reporter covered the story. Again, there was a public outcry to save the historic cabin.

Councilwoman Christine Lewis suggested creating a Preservation and Management Committee and with the support of Councilmen Ed Brown and Neal Raymond, the Taylor's Island Committee was born. The new effort to preserve Taylor's Island received both coverage and editorial support in the Shelter Island Reporter.

The Town of Shelter Island Era was celebrated on August 14, 2010 at the Taylor’s Island Kettle Clambake. Town officials from the era contributed their reflections.