Episode 204 with Bill Bleyer, Exploring the North Fork’s Past with Author Bill Bleyer

Today I’m joined by Bill Bleyer, award-winning journalist, historian, and one of Long Island’s most respected voices on maritime and military history. From an early age, Bill was drawn to the sea and the stories, ships, and traditions that have shaped the region.Spending more than thirty years at Newsday, Bill honed the skills of observation, accuracy, and storytelling that now define his work as an author. His books, including Long Island and the Sea and Long Island and the Civil War, illuminate the North Fork’s rich maritime culture, from shipbuilding and lighthouses to lesser-known events and shipwrecks. In our conversation, we explore his journey from reporter to historian, the discoveries that continue to fascinate him, and the enduring impact of Long Island’s coastal history on the community today.