Cynthia Krieg

Cynthia J. Krieg accomplished many things in her life, but was probably best known for the many ways in which she shared her rich knowledge of the history of the Village of Freeport, and by doing so, displayed her great love of this village. Born in Brooklyn in 1936, she moved to Valley Stream as a child. After graduating from Valley Stream Central High School, Cynthia attended the State University of New York at Albany and graduated with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history. She became a social studies teacher at Berner High School in Massapequa. After receiving her second master’s in library science and a professional diploma in administration and supervision from C.W. Post, Long Island University, she became a librarian at McKenna Junior High School. In 1991, she was selected as an “Outstanding Librarian of the Year” by Long Island University Palmer Library School. When Cynthia retired from the Massapequa Union Free School District in 2000, she was the district supervisor of libraries. For four years, she was a consultant for Nassau School Library System, Nassau BOCES. Cynthia's love of the Village of Freeport first developed when she came to live in the village later in life. She was in search of a location to buy a home somewhere between her parents in Valley Stream and her job in Massapequa. Freeport met her criteria. However, the 1970s practice of racial steering meant she was only shown homes in south Freeport. Undeterred, she was able to find an agent willing to show her homes in north Freeport. On North Long Beach Avenue, Cynthia was enchanted by a 1930s Colonial with a slate roof that was surrounded by many old growth trees and even more welcoming neighbors. This became home to Cynthia and her longtime partner, James “Jim” Coveney, for many decades. Cynthia was the long-time president and curator of the Freeport Historical Society and Museum. Along with fellow trustee Rita Carter, Cynthia organized numerous Freeport house tours, which were popular fundraisers for the museum. In 2005, she agreed to have the museum partner with the Freeport Memorial Library on a digitization project, which ultimately led to her accepting a part-time position as a reference librarian at the library. For the 50th anniversary of the Freeport Historical Society and Museum, she helped organize a celebration including a sit down dinner at Jimmy’s Junkyard. Cynthia was appointed village historian for Freeport in 2002, a position she held until her death. Her work as the village’s historian led her to become a Registered Public Historian of New York State. Additionally Cynthia was a proud 20 plus year member of the Freeport Landmarks Preservation Commission for the Village of Freeport. In 2012, Cynthia co-authored the book Freeport by Arcadia Publishers with Regina G. Feeney. Cynthia developed many presentations featuring various aspects of Freeport's fascinating history. Her area of specialty was Freeport’s once thriving actors’ colony which she turned into a multi-part series. When not at the Freeport Historical Society or engaged in her other civic activities, such as Friends of Freeport, the Salvation Army, the Freeport Chamber of Commerce, or the Massapequa Hall of Fame, Cynthia loved spending time with her many friends at Jones Beach and quiet time with her beloved cats. In lieu Of flowers please make a donation to the Freeport Historical society in Cynthia Krieg's name. Please mail donations to: Freeport Historical Society PO BOX 323 Freeport NY 11520

Cynthia Krieg

September 9, 1936 - June 2, 2023