About Our Village

Long Island's Historic Seaport  Port Jefferson is a historic ship-building village nestled at the far end of the harbor, past the big homes that dot the high-banked eastern bluff looking down over an orderly yet varied fleet lying at their moorings. Our Village is a visitor's dream, and one of the most picturesque of waterside villages to be found on Long Island.

Few villages can claim such a broad array of assets as Port Jefferson, from its waterside location at the head of a beautiful deep water harbor to its enviable position as a busy downtown area in the heart of Long Island's prestigious north shore. These natural resources, combined with the friendly people who live and work there, make Port Jefferson a truly unique location.

Port Jefferson is located approximately 56 miles east of New York City, in the northern part of central Suffolk County. A stroll down tree-lined streets, where many shops and restaurants occupy historic buildings, clearly affirms the village's commitment to maintaining its "small town" appeal.

From its beginnings as a waterside home for the Setauket Indians, to its present-day position as a popular day-trip destination, Port Jefferson has grown and prospered. Throughout this 300-year evolution, the strength of the village has been, and continues to be, the sociable people who live in its beautiful homes and who work in its shops, restaurants, and offices. This "human asset" combined with the village's unique location, has inspired much of its industry, from shipbuilding to tourism.

Retailing is not Port Jefferson's only strength. With a university, a medical technology park, and many diverse high-tech industries, the area is rich with highly-skilled professionals and support services, with an ever-increasing need for more. The area is serviced by two state-of-the-art hospitals, John T. Mather Memorial Hospital and St. Charles Hospital and Rehabilitation Center. John T. Mather Hospital is a 248-bed facility started with funds provided by the Port Jefferson shipbuilder John T. Mather in 1929. St. Charles, a 271-bed acute care facility built in 1907 provides adult and pediatric rehabilitation, family-centered maternity care, an intensive care/cardiac care facility, tory surgery and emergency services, hearing and speech therapy, and physical therapy as well as support groups and educational offerings, among other services.

Partnership between business, residents, government and professionals allows for the ability to handle the increased demands of the growing community. As this growth continues, the need and the opportunity for corollary business and professional services will increase. So the message and Port Jefferson's mission is clear: Let Port Jefferson's history be a part of your future! Its vested interest in the past and present ensures success.

Surrounded by some of the most beautiful and prestigious homes on Long Island, and serviced by three major hospitals and a state university, Port Jefferson has come a long way. Residents treasure its past and plan carefully for its future, uniquely blending the area's history with the demands of competing in the tough economic environment of the 90's. So visit soon, and discover Port Jefferson. For more information, call the Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce at (631) 473-1414.