Obituary
Edward J. Smits has served the people of Nassau County for 68 years, as director of the Nassau County Museum Division and as Nassau County Historian. Ed Smits has worked under ten Nassau County executives, starting with A. Holly Patterson in 1956 to Bruce Blakeman in 2024.
As curator and director of the Nassau County museum system, Ed Smits was responsible for the creation of the Old Bethpage Village Restoration, the Cradle of Aviation museum and Nassau County's "Museum Row". He helped saved historic properties such as Nunley's Carousel and led the creation and expansion of the Nassau County museum system to more than thirty historic sites and nature preserves.
As County Historian, he has helped steer Nassau's participation in state-wide and national preservation and historical programs, and worked to secure grants and funding for local preservation projects. Ed helped obtain official landmark recognition and funding for the preservation of the county's historical buildings and national landmarks, such as Garden City Hotel, the Mineola Courthouse, the Theodore Roosevelt Executive Building, the Roslyn Grist Mill and many more.
Mr. Smits has served on the board of the Nassau County Historical Society, The Agricultural Society of Nassau, Suffolk and Queens County, The Friends of Old Bethpage Village Restoration as well as many local historical societies.
He is the author of books including "Nassau - Suburbia USA" a history of Nassau County's first 75 years, "The Creation of Nassau County" and "Long Island Landmarks" as well as many articles and papers for historical and preservation publications and books. Edward's faith was very important to him. He was a long time member of the First Presbyterian Church of Levittown.
Born in Freeport, Ed is a life-long Nassau County resident. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Ruth, his sons John, Ted and Rob, four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
