LI museums to offer free admission on Museum Day

Saturday marks the sixth annual Museum Day sponsored by Smithsonian magazine to emulate the free-admission policy of the Smithsonian Institution and its myriad museums arrayed along Washington's National Mall.

Of 1,300 participating museums in all 50 states, 13 on Long Island are taking part. Here's a tour of what you can see - for free.

NASSAU

Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor; 11 a.m.-4:45 p.m.

INFO 516-484-9337, nassaumuseum.com

Museum Day marks the opening of "For Us the Living: The Civil War in Paintings Mort Künstler." The exhibit commemorates the sesquicentennial of America's war against itself through works by the Cove Neck artist. Some paintings, from his own collection, have never been on public display before.

Hofstra University Museum, Hempstead; 1-5 p.m.

INFO 516-463-5672, hofstra.edu/museum

"Acquired Riches: Highlights From the Collection" celebrates the university's 75th anniversary with paintings by Paul Gauguin, Romare Bearden, George Grosz and others, plus pre-Colombian objects from around the world.

Cradle of Aviation Museum, 1 Davis Ave., Garden City; 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

INFO 516-572-4111, cradleofaviation.org

More than 75 planes and spacecraft take you on a vicarious flight through more than a century of aerospace history - of which Long Island played a great role - from Lindbergh's historic flight to lunar-landing modules.

Coe Hall at Planting Fields, 1395 Planting Fields Rd., Oyster Bay; 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

INFO 516-922-8682, plantingfields.org

"Gold Coast Weddings: 1890-1940" explores the glamour of North Shore nuptials matching the sons and daughters of those "captains of industry" who built some of Long Island's grandest mansions.

Polish American Museum, 16 Belleview Ave., Port Washington; 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

INFO 516-883-6542

A display of artifacts observing the 200th anniversary of Chopin's birth and the 150th anniversary of Paderewski's.

SUFFOLK

Guild Hall, 158 Main St., East Hampton; 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

INFO 631-324-0806, guildhall.org

The museum's three galleries are wrapped in the art of Barbara Kruger: a site-specific installation, a video installation and a selection of paintings and prints.

Long Island Museum of American Art, History & Carriages, 1200 Rte. 25A, Stony Brook; 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

INFO 631-751-0066, longislandmuseum.org

This Smithsonian affiliate now features "America's Kitchens" - 200 years of evolution from hearth to microwave. Plus two new exhibits in the Carriage Museum: "A Gentleman's Coach House" and the European Vehicles Gallery.

Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum, 301 Main St.; 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

INFO 631-367-3418, cshwhalingmuseum.org

See the state's only fully equipped whale boat decked out with its original gear. The museum also boasts a renowned scrimshaw collection.

Oysterponds Historical Society, 1555 Village Lane, Orient; 1:45-5 p.m.

INFO 631-323-2480, oysterpondshistoricalsociety.org

"A Stitch in Time, What We Wore, 1776-1976" looks at fashions from the Revolutionary War to the Bicentennial.

Montauk Point Lighthouse Museum, 2000 Montauk Hwy.; 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

INFO 631-668-2544, montauklighthouse.com

See the original Thomas Jefferson document authorizing the lighthouse and the 1796 document granting $250 to purchase land from East Hampton proprietors to build it on Turtle Hill Plateau.

Southampton Historical Museums and Research Center, 17 Meeting House Lane; 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

INFO 631-283-2494, southamptonhistoricalmuseum.org

Harvest Day takes place Saturday at the Rogers Mansion with costumed tradesmen and crafters demonstrating 19th century woodcarving, broom making, candle making, blacksmithing and weaving.

Northport Historical Society Museum, 215 Main St.; 1-4:30 p.m.

INFO 631-757-9859, northporthistorical.org

Artifacts, photos and memorabilia of people who lived and worked in the village. Jack Kerouac, for one.

Sagtikos Manor, Montauk Highway and Manor Lane, WestBay Shore; 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

INFO 631-854-0939, sagtikosmanor.com

Tour the 1692 manor house once occupied by the British Army and which President George Washington visited in 1790.

You can download free Museum Day tickets to any participating venue at smithsonian.com/museumday.