Custer Institute

Welcome to the Custer Institute & Observatory

Long Island's oldest public observatory (est. 1927)

For the Curious

The Custer Institute and Observatory is Long Island's oldest public observatory (est.1927). Open to the public every Saturday evening from dusk until midnight, our staff of volunteers will give you a tour of the facilities and the night sky through our powerful telescopes. Custer has a library, museum, and gift shop. Frequent lectures, classes,concerts, art exhibits and other special events.

Custer Links

Saturday Night Observing: Open 7pm-Midnight

Call, Email, and Visit

As an all-volunteer organization, we only check phone messages when we are there Saturday nights.

Custer Institute and Observatory was established in 1927 and is a NYS 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, chartered educational organization that operates on public support and is staffed by volunteers. The Institute has a distinguished history and a long-standing commitment to education and research in the science of astronomy. It also has a tradition of supporting the arts through exhibitions and concerts. Each year, Custer hosts number of musical and artistic performances that range from classical to rock and jazz, music indigenous to other cultures (including Andean flute, Spanish flamenco and Celtic ballads), as well as cabaret and theatrical acts.

The Music Project at Custer Observatory was created to encourage musical expression and education, to provide a venue for local artists to showcase their talent, as well as to offer the community a wide rage of musical experiences. While there are many other musical and artistic events on Long Island, there are few that extend as far east as Southold or that offer such a varied repertoire with educational objectives.

Long Island is undergoing a musical renaissance. The Custer Institute has always been dedicated to supporting great ideas and talent, and to avail the community of the same through lectures, classes, seminars, and performances. In order to formalize its support for music and the arts, as well as to expand its offerings, the Institute has created The Music Project which has as its goal the integration of music and art with science and discovery.

What could be better than enjoying an evening of live music and gazing at the stars through the telescopes at the Custer Institute and Observatory? It's literally a universal experience that can be appreciated by people of all ages, backgrounds, and cultures.

We hope you will join us in the development of The Music Project by showing your support as a Sponsor, and by attending upcoming concerts and other events. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.