Museum offers Stroppel’s ‘Last Call,’ a step back in time

Glen Cove’s North Shore Historical Museum is inviting visitors to step back in time when it recreates the iconic Stroppel’s Tavern.
Visitors of the museum’s “Last Call” exhibit event on Sept. 24 can expect to see vintage style swinging doors, original signs and music that were popular at various stages of the tavern’s existence. Tables will be set up to replicate the feeling of being inside the historic tavern.
Originally located a short walk north of the Glen Street train station, Stroppel’s was a family-owned business that passed down through generations of Stroppel men. It ultimately became a key locale in the Glen Cove community.
In 1838, a two-story five room hotel opened on the property which housed visitors stepping off the train for overnight stays. It later became Stroppel’s Tavern when Frederick Herman Stroppel purchased the property in 1870 and added the tavern in 1890 that took up one third of the building.
There’s not much information about how the tavern was operated during prohibition, but many Long Island residents and business owners sought the help of “rum runners.” These Long Island farmers and fisherman were enlisted to store liquor in their barns. When the alcohol reached Stroppel’s, most customers sat at the back entrance of the rectangular room that was designated for women.

Frederick Herman Stroppel passed his business down to his son Frederick (Dutch) Stroppel, who then passed it to his son, John Stroppel, who was the final owner of the tavern in 1997.
John’s son, Jack Jr. Stroppel, brother to playwright Frederick Stroppel, initially planned to take ownership of the tavern, but died before he could do so, succumbing to complications with multiple sclerosis.
The Stroppel family decided to reconsider the tavern’s future. “I think the culture was changing as far as people going out to drink and it was difficult for a lot of bars to stay open in those days,” Frederick Stroppel said.
Stroppel’s is now listed as a historic landmark. The building is owned by American Community Bank which replicated some of the original structure like the tavern’s former porch and narrow windows after it was torn down.
“If you were a fan of Stroppel’s, or you knew someone who was, you’ll feel right at home,” said Amy Driscoll, the director at North Shore Historical Museum, referring to the upcoming exhibit.
Much of the tavern’s memorabilia remains in the Stroppel family and will be donated to the museum including the building’s original front and back doors, pictures of patrons, barstools, a picture of the many roosters that walked behind the building, and uniforms from softball teams associated with Stroppel’s Tavern.
Frederick Stroppel said his family’s business was a place where the community would get their information about events and people in the community.
“It’s one of those things that’s missing nowadays,” Fredrick Stroppel said. “A community center where people could really engage with each other and talk about old times.”
Frederick Stroppel said that during the tavern’s operating hours of 8 a.m. to 4 a.m. patrons could walk in at a certain time and know who was going to be there.
As a writer, Stroppel credits his early understanding of human nature to his time working there as a teenager. His grandparents lived in the upstairs portion when he was growing up.
“It was a little crazy sometimes, but on the whole, it was a very calm place to be,” he said.
Terry Stroppel, the wife of the late Jack Stroppel, said being at the tavern was like being with extended family. “Everybody just got along and respected each other,” Terry recalled.
The Stroppel family have seen many posts on their social media accounts from former patrons or people who had relatives that frequented the tavern. People shared their memories of events like horseshoe tournaments.
“Not everybody’s around, unfortunately,” said Terry. “But it’s history in the city, and I think it’ll be fun to have a little event and bring back the memory for a short time.”
Stroppel’s ‘Last Call’ will be at the North Shore Historical Museum, 140 Glen St., on Sept. 24 from 6 to 8 p.m.