Coltrane Home Progress Report

Friends of the Coltrane Home receiving an eagerly awaited update on the project.

A Welcome Reunion and Tour

Among the notables who have made Long Island their home, John Coltrane wrote his masterwork in Dix Hills. After his passing, his wife Alice, who was also incredibly gifted, recorded three albums there. That ranch home, where they raised their family, is an understated treasure that folks have been working hard for many years to transform into a museum and cultural center.

Recently, some of the volunteers who have done all they can to help manifest this vision came together for a tour and progress report. It was a happy reunion of folks who found friendship through a shared love of jazz and community appreciation. 

Incredible amounts of work have been done to determine what may be restored, what should be replaced, and how the building will eventually function as a living museum, meeting place, performance center and boutique recording studio. How may they best serve young people? How can they assist musicians today in honoring these spirits? What may they do to advance the significant legacies of John and Alice Coltrane, musically, spiritually, and as folks who wished “to be a force for good?” 

Progress is Significant

The major work to the home has been structural. Prime for destruction, the home was once filled with mold and had serious foundation issues, which in turn damaged the facade. Even without that, major work would have had to be done in order to make a 1960’s ranch house suitable for museum traffic. 
 
In addition to (and often in concert with) needed repairs, have been carefully considered modifications. The basement floor was lowered to make that space usable. Steel and other required reinforcements were applied throughout. Windows were installed to simultaneously vastly improve climate control and more closely replicate what was there when the Coltranes lived there. Folks involved are delighted that the woman who took the rainbow window when the house was slated for destruction has kindly offered to bring it home. Other treasures eagerly await their return.
 
Almost as remarkable as the transformation to the home itself is the property. Once a completely overgrown mess of invasive species, the grounds are now cleared for the installation of meditation gardens in honor of Alice. We can’t wait to see them blossom! 
 
Cross your fingers. Say a prayer. There’s a bit of work to do, but with any luck the doors may open soon! 
 

Below is a gallery of our tour. Hover over the images for descriptions. Click for larger images. 

 
The Home as it is today.
Steve offers us a report on all the structural work that's been done.
The garden bed has been fully restored.
The floor has been lowered to make the basement functional, which in turn required some reconfiguring to keep things in perspective.
Being an old ranch house, multiple lifts are required to access all areas and make the home ADA compliant.
Steel reinforcements and other accommodations will make this home suitable as a public institution
This used to be "The Creepy Room," as Michelle and Ravi Coltrane remember it. Now, it's shaping up to be a remarkable meeting space.
This fireplace was a prominent feature of Alice's studio. It's also where Ellen and I, as we cleaned those bricks together, realized we were dear friends.
Meditation room...
The rainbow window has been located and kindly offered to return.
It's not hard to see that rendering becomming reality...
How it was...they've come a long way!
This shag rug actually survived not only the 60s, but years of abandoned neglect.
Not sure what to do with this, but we love it!
Mike capturing the rendering of envisioned meditation gardens
These renderings a so close to being realized...soon!!!
This was completely overgrown and filled with invasive species...the clearing alone is extraordinary. What will come next is divine.
Original windows
John's esoteric musing's and more mundane notes....
Draft of liner notes from "A Love Supreme"

Ways to Get Involved

Subscribe to the John & Alice Coltrane Home newsletter for updates on construction and more! 

Of course, the mission carries the group far beyond the historic residence’s walls. The Half Hollow Hills Library, in particular, has regularly offered its downstairs theater for intimate events featuring a diversity of extraordinary talents. Can’t wait to see what they offer next! 

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Firefly Lights: April 9, 2026

Photo of the exterior of The Firefly Artists

Click here for the latest edition of Firefly Lights, all about our beautiful downtown gallery of local art and artists. In this edition, please find:

IN THIS ISSUE

Come, Breathe, Savor
On View Now: Cross Pollination
Honoring the Life of Firefly Jim Darcy
Firefly Reception Tonight at Moksha Cafe
Fun Stuff: Thank You, Neighbors!
Exhibition Schedule
Fireflies Light Up Everywhere
Thank You for Making Us the Best!
About the Firefly

Come to our favorite escape. Immerse yourself in art. Located at 90 Main Street in beautiful downtown Northport, The Firefly is open seven days a week. We stay open until 9pm Wednesday through Saturday, and until 7pm on Sundays. For you early birds, we’re also open by 9am on the weekends.

We have items that are uplifting and pieces to meditate on. There are reminders of home and wonderful visits. Wit, whimsey and bittersweet reflections. Daydreams. Savored things. So much ever-loving Art.

Below: Works by Fireflies Michael Iacobellis, Jan Tozzo, Steve Caputo & Cori Foster

To subscribe to The Firefly Artists newsletter, please drop us a line indicating interest here.

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Firefly Lights: March 26, 2026

Photo of the exterior of The Firefly Artists

Click here for the latest edition of Firefly Lights, all about our beautiful downtown gallery of local art and artists. In this edition, please find:

IN THIS ISSUE

Welcome Spring
Honoring the Life of Firefly Jim Darcy
A Very Cool Listening Party
“Rolling Under the Stars”
Advice for Exploring Galleries
Fun Stuff: Thank You, Neighbors!
Exhibition Schedule
Fireflies Light Up Everywhere
Thank You for Making Us the Best!
About the Firefly

As you venture out into the world, we invite you to come visit our very special place. Located at 90 Main Street in beautiful downtown Northport, The Firefly is open seven days a week. We stay open late until 9pm Wednesday through Saturday, and until 7pm on Sundays. For you early birds, we’re also open by 9am on the weekends.

We have items that are uplifting and pieces to meditate on. There are reminders of home and wonderful visits. Wit, whimsey and bittersweet reflections. Daydreams. Savored things. So much ever-loving Art.

Below: Works by Fireflies Kaela Yee, Kate Sydney and Rachel Kalina, Drigo Morin and Marilyn Barker

To subscribe to The Firefly Artists newsletter, please drop us a line indicating interest here.

Subscribe To The Synchronicity Newsletter

Firefly Lights: March 13, 2026

Photo of the exterior of The Firefly Artists

Click here for the latest edition of Firefly Lights, all about our beautiful downtown gallery of local art and artists. In this edition, please find:

IN THIS ISSUE

Our Favorite Escape
On View Now: “Kindred Spirits“
Open Call: “Rolling Under the Stars”
Juried Call: “Cross Pollination”
Exhibition Schedule
Fireflies Light Up Everywhere
Fireflies Light Up Freeport
We’re Part of Huntington Art Week
Thank You for Making Us the Best!
About the Firefly

It’s a wonderful place to just come on in and breathe. Located at 90 Main Street in beautiful downtown Northport, The Firefly is open seven days a week. We stay open late until 9pm Wednesday through Saturday, and until 7pm on Sundays. For you early birds, we’re also open by 9am on the weekends.

We have items that are uplifting and pieces to meditate on. There are reminders of home and wonderful visits. Wit, whimsey and bittersweet reflections. Daydreams. Savored things. So much ever-loving Art.

Below: Works by Fireflies Beth Atkinson, Ann Fox, Elise Weber and Cori Forster

To subscribe to The Firefly Artists newsletter, please drop us a line indicating interest here.

Subscribe To The Synchronicity Newsletter

Firefly Lights: February 27, 2026

Photo of the exterior of The Firefly Artists

Click here for the latest edition of Firefly Lights, all about our beautiful downtown gallery of local art and artists. In this edition, please find:

IN THIS ISSUE
Come Inside – The Art is Lovely
On View Now: “Kindred Spirits“
Open Call: “Rolling Under the Stars”
Juried Call: “Cross Pollination”
Exhibition Schedule
Fireflies Light Up Everywhere
NNGI Hosts Winter Lecture at Firefly
Thank You for Making Us the Best!
About the Firefly

It’s a wonderful place to just come on in and breathe. Located at 90 Main Street in beautiful downtown Northport, The Firefly is open seven days a week. We stay open late until 9pm Wednesday through Saturday, and until 7pm on Sundays. For you early birds, we’re also open by 9am on the weekends.

We have items that are uplifting and pieces to meditate on. There are reminders of home and wonderful visits. Wit, whimsey and bittersweet reflections. Daydreams. Savored things. So much ever-loving Art.

Below: Works by Fireflies Carol Procopio, E Craig, Kate Sydney and Rachel Kalina, and Kristen Memoli

To subscribe to The Firefly Artists newsletter, please drop us a line indicating interest here.

Subscribe To The Newsletter

Firefly Lights: February 20, 2026

Photo of the exterior of The Firefly Artists

Click here for the latest edition of Firefly Lights, all about our beautiful downtown gallery of local art and artists. In this edition, please find:

IN THIS ISSUE
Beat the Winter Blues
On View Now: “Kindred Spirits“
Open Call: “Rolling Under the Stars”
Juried Call: “Cross Pollination”
Exhibition Schedule
Fireflies Light Up Everywhere
Thank You for Making Us the Best!
About the Firefly

It’s a wonderful place to just come on in and breathe. Located at 90 Main Street in beautiful downtown Northport, The Firefly is open seven days a week. We stay open late until 9pm Wednesday through Saturday, and until 7pm on Sundays. For you early birds, we’re also open by 9am on the weekends.

We have items that are uplifting and pieces to meditate on. There are reminders of home and wonderful visits. Wit, whimsey and bittersweet reflections. Daydreams. Savored things. So much ever-loving Art.

Below: Works by Fireflies Mary Kiernan, Jan Guarino, Michelle Lesser and Steve Walker. Below: Works by Fireflies Laura Atkinson and Catherine Olsen

To subscribe to The Firefly Artists newsletter, please drop us a line indicating interest here.

Subscribe To The Newsletter

Firefly Lights: January 14, 2026

Photo of the exterior of The Firefly Artists

Click here for the latest edition of Firefly Lights, all about our beautiful downtown gallery of local art and artists. In this edition, please find:

 

IN THIS ISSUE
Happy New Year!
Up Next; “Beyond Words“
Open Call: “Rolling Under the Stars”
Exhibition Schedule
Fireflies Light Up Everywhere
Reception at Moksha Cafe
Thank You for Making Us the Best!
About the Firefly

Fireflies featured below, from the left starting at the top: Jennifer Mariotti, Michael Iacobellis, Dianna Hollyn Catania, and Kate Sydney

To subscribe to The Firefly Artists newsletter, please drop us a line indicating interest here.

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Counting Blessings…

Over the last few years we’ve been blessed to share some truly wonderful people who continue to inspire us every day. In case you missed them the first time, just want to read them again, or are looking for more worthy organizations to give to:

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