The history of historic Oyster Bay comes alive with a newly produced walking tour with "something for everyone." The Oyster Bay Main Street Association has funded this new form of entertainment and education for people of all ages titled, "Talk of the Town", an audio walking tour.

Downtown Oyster Bay is a place made of history and events, where the buildings and bricks themselves could tell a story of the past. Contrast 350 years of history with the latest museum technology - digital audio 'wands' that look like long cell phones. The idea was brought to Main Street by Claire Bellerjeau of SoundVision, who also owns Pleasant Valley Gallery & Gifts. Ms. Bellerjeau is a talented voice-over artist and audio producer who created 30 highly entertaining 'tracks' about downtown Oyster Bay and has previously produced an audio tour for Raynham Hall Museum. "We are excited to be among the first Main Street organizations in America to launch an outdoor audio walking tour of our downtown," said Joan Mahon, executive director.

The process began in the snowy winter when Claire Bellerjeau, director of the Oyster Bay Historical Society, Tom Kuehhas and local author/historian John Hammond had coffee at South Street Café. (John Hammond has since been appointed Town Historian.) Mr. Kuehhas and Mr. Hammond continued to work with the project recommending selected sites and carefully editing the work for historical accuracy. Two works provided the basis for the research: The Walls Have Tongues: Oyster Bay Buildings and Their Stories, published by the Oyster Bay Historical Society and Oyster Bay Remembered by John Hammond, a compilation of historical articles written for the Oyster Bay Guardian. Sites were selected for their history and walking distance/proximity to one another, with the opportunity to expand the tour in the future.

"The beauty of the tour is that you can customize it to your own interests," explained Main Street's promotion chair Nick Voulgaris III. From families with small children to architectural historians, there is something for everyone. Each story is about two and a half minutes in length, and participants can listen to as many or as few tracks as they wish. A brochure has been designed by Bellerjeau which offers a map and location key with five suggested tours: Legends & Tales, 350 Years of American History Made in Oyster Bay; In the Footsteps of TR, The Life and Legacy of Theodore Roosevelt; Architectural History, Oyster Bay's Main Streets Then & Now; Places of Worship, Historic Structures and Sacred Stained Glass; and Trains & Boats, Transportation in a Long Island Town. "We wanted to make it simple for the user, in the same way that a Fodor's Travel Guide presents walking tours of interest. We also hope that people who take the tour will return to learn more!" said Mr. Voulgaris.

Creating the soundtracks brought an even greater end result for Bellerjeau, who found that each site became a partner in the process. "Some of the churches allowed me to record their organists as background for their story. Others had professional recordings which they allowed me to use. Friends of Locomotive 35 directed me to an actual recording of Long Island steam locomotives. There are many other sound effects behind the narration, which transport the listener to another place and time," said Ms. Bellerjeau.

Main Street hopes that this program will increase understanding about the history of Oyster Bay and the need to preserve and care for the downtown. The project also promotes heart health for all ages, by encouraging tour takers to get on their feet, experience the sites in person and walk at their own pace. A weekly newspaper quiz is part of the promotion to encourage inter-generational learning as well.

Oyster Bay Main Street Association's audio walking tour "Talk of the Town" is available for rental Monday - Saturday from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Sundays 12-3 p.m. at Pleasant Valley Gallery, 101 South Street. A suggested donation of $4 is requested for a 1-2 hour rental. Call 516-922-0116 for more information or log on to www.oysterbaymainstreet.com.