Articles from The Historian, December 2005/ January & February 2006
Judith A. Handelman, Editor
Dec. 11: Candlelight Tours and Holiday Workshop
Each year in December, the Society presents tours of the Cudner-Hyatt House decked in its holiday finery. This year’s tours will be on Sunday, December 11, 2-4 p.m.
Everyone is invited to the Candlelight Tours, starting at 2
p.m., and to participate in our Victorian Holiday Card family workshop.
Gingerbread and hot cocoa will be served. Admission is $5 per participant.
What do Mother Nature, History & Our Annual Fund Have in Common?
It is no secret that in these uncertain times non-profit organizations around our country are struggling. Victims of Mother Nature and an unstable economy suffer daily. Without the work of non-profit organizations, some of these victims quite possibly would not have survived to see another day, much less to enjoy the upcoming holidays. On behalf of the non-profit community, The Scarsdale Historical Society extends a huge "Thank You" to everyone who has contributed to making the world a better place.
This time of year brings our Annual Fund solicitation. We realize it might seem odd to some of you that The Scarsdale Historical Society is reaching out for donations when other needs appear far more urgent, like those of our fellow citizens in New Orleans. With this in mind, and even though we are a small struggling non-profit, we would like to help.
After careful thought and consideration, we have come up with an answer that we hope will resonate with members of the Society and those wishing to join. The Society has decided to donate a portion of your Annual Fund contribution this year to The Education Outreach Program of The Historic New Orleans Collection. This program will primarily serve children of the area’s relief workers. History can easily get lost in the shuffle after a battle with Mother Nature, and we don't want that to happen. Won't you please join in and help in our effort to preserve history far and near. Your tax-deductible Annual Fund contribution will help us continue to enrich our charming community and:
· Reach more than 1,800 school children with our education programs and workshops
· Preserve the Cudner-Hyatt House and 1828 Quaker Meeting House
· Install exhibitions
· Provide use of the Society library and archives
· Continue to catalog and care for the objects in our collections
· Provide on-site consultations with a knowledgeable staff
With your support, we will be able to reach these goals, continue to expand our programs and to carry out our mission as an educational institution. Every year we carefully review our goals to determine what we have accomplished, what we still need to do, and what new projects and tasks we can undertake in the coming year to make the Society a better place to serve the community.
The Society wishes you and yours happy and healthy holidays! For your convenience, an Annual Fund envelope is enclosed with the mailed newsletter. Thank you in advance for your contribution.
Condolences
The Society mourns the passing of Mary Dixon, who was honored at last sping’s Benefit Dinner with our first Community Service Award for her more than 25-year service to the Society as a volunteer, Membership Chair and Trustee, as well as for her active involvement with the Women’s Exchange and Woman’s Club. We send heartfelt condolences to her family and friends.
American Revolution Programs Saturday Mornings in January
The British Are Coming - to the Scarsdale Historical Society! The Society is proud to bring back our popular Saturday Mornings Series for families; this year's theme is the American Revolution. Over the course of three Saturdays in January, we will explore the American Revolution through storytelling, song, and the drama of the real history that surrounds us. It was a time when foreign troops swept through our village, when the citizens of Scarsdale were caught between the British and the Patriot forces, and when life was hard. At a time when American troops again are fighting abroad, we invite families to join us for these exciting Saturday morning presentations to understand the history that surrounds us and the battle for liberty that is part of our local history. All sessions will begin at 10:30am, last for about an hour, and take place at the Quaker Meeting House Museum.
The first program, on January 7, features storyteller Jonathan Kruk. Jonathan, who is famous throughout the region for his stories of the American Revolution, is a critically acclaimed storyteller whose artistry has been praised by The New York Times. Through his tales of the American Revolution, Jonathan helps his audiences understand the forces that shaped our community, our culture, and our heritage. Families will enjoy a romp through history enlivened by artistry, period costume, and legends.
On Saturday January 14, Linda Russell will lead us on a musical historical journey through the American Revolution that is both entertaining and enlightening. Accompanying herself on guitar and other period instruments, Linda will sing the great songs of the Revolution, punctuating her musical performances with anecdotes and facts from primary source material. The patriots of America's Revolutionary War period come to life as Linda sings and shares their joys and hardships. Linda, who has eight critically acclaimed albums to her credit, made her debut at Carnegie Hall in 1992. As a balladeer for the National Park Service at the Federal Hall National Memorial, she has interpreted history through music for more than 16 years.
On January 21, local author and historian Jonathan Lewis will present "Spies in Westchester - The American Revolution Around Us". Jonathan, who has written two books on the history of the CIA, will take families on a journey into the past when Westchester was the battleground for freedom, and foreign intelligence services scoured the county for information. Interactive maps and codes for children will be included.
The sessions are free for members and their families; non-member admission is $10 per person for each session. Reservations are preferred; to reserve, call the office, 723-1744.This program is made possible through a grant from Samson Capital Advisors.
“Home, Hearth & History” extended through June 30
by Susan Kaufman
Our current exhibition. “Home, Hearth & History”, has been extended through June 30.
The exhibition has garnered a great deal of interest from the public, and received a wonderful write-up in The Scarsdale Inquirer.
As a result, a decision was made to expand the show’s core information in a number of ways, in order to offer a more in-depth analysis of local history :
It will soon include histories of all the neighborhoods in Scarsdale; currently, only Arthur Manor is represented.
It will also include stories of the many famous, and some slightly infamous, people in Scarsdale’s history -- from the nationally recognized, such as James Fenimore Cooper and Vice President Daniel Tompkins, to the purely local, such as “Hot Dog Joe”.
Below are sketches of a few of the homes currently represented in the exhibition. Test yourself to see if you recognize any of them! (Answers on last page)
Curatorial Corner by Mimi Sherman
Here are some interesting and fun connections derived from the combination of two objects from the SHS collection and the words of Mrs. Lewis Bloomingdale, one of the interviewees from the Oral History Project of the 1980's.
The picture above is of a corner of Garth Road, just across from the railroad station in 1913. It shows the Post Office and three stores. Mrs. B. identified the stores as "Flandon Hooley (sp.?), the grocer; Luckhardt, the butcher and Farrell, the druggist/pharmacist." A check with Scarsdale Public Library research provided support for the pharmacy and the Post Office being at that corner at that time. Notice the bicycle leaning against one of the shops. It is easy enough to imagine that this was for a delivery boy. Also, notice the car parked on the street. Mrs. Bloomingdale remembered that she would walk with her husband a mile and one-half to the station and then take a cab back. It is entirely possible that the car in the picture was a taxi, as a person can be seen getting in the rear door.
The bottle is clear glass with a glass stopper; "O'Farrell Pharmacy, Scarsdale, N.Y." is molded into the glass.
Ellis, Casey win Fall Foliage Race
On a sunny, windy afternoon, 162 runners and walkers -- and 30 dogs! -- from throughout the area enjoyed the Scarsdale Historical Society's 24th Annual 5K (3.1 miles) Fall Foliage Run and 19th Annual 2.5K (1.55-mile) "Walk for Fun" on Sunday, October 16.
Jono Ellis, 16, of Yonkers, was the first runner to cross the finish line, with a time of 18:31. Eileen Casey, 30, of New York was the female first place-finisher, in 20:16. The winners of the 25th Annual Stanley Newhouse trophies, the first Scarsdale male and female Masters (50 and over), were Gil Kemp, 55, for the second consecutive year, in 20:51 and Judy Bicknell, 58 (24:36). Winners of the second annual dog-and-owner 2.5K race were "Ricki" and Quaker Ridge 4th-grader Sam Fisch (12:52).
In addition to the top winners, the first three male and female finishers in each age category received awards. All runners' times are available at the Scarsdale Historical Society office.
Thank you, Race Volunteers!
From the Village of Scarsdale: Mayor Peter Strauss, the Police Department, Vicki Laoutaris of the Recreation Department. Our wonderful volunteers: Becky Benash; Judy Bicknell; Kristin & Marie Cavataio; John Cotter; Geralyn, Ralph, Nicole and Michael Della Cava; Bob Donati; Tom Giordano; Adam Krajchir; Carolyn, Kamal, Rohan and Sivan Mehta; Lucas Meyer and Rita & John Sweeney. And a big thank-you, as always, to all of our Sponsors!
Dates to Remember
“Home, Hearth & History” Exhibition
Extended through June 30, 2006; Monday-Friday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., weekends by appointment
Candlelight Tours/Victorian Holiday Workshop
Sunday, December 11, 2 p.m.
Grapefruit pick-ups: Tuesday-Friday, Dec. 13-15, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Saturday Morning Family Programs, all at 10 a.m.:
Jan. 7, Storyteller Jonathan Kruk; Jan. 14, Music with Linda Russell;
Jan. 21: Author/Historian Jonathan Lewis
Future Workshops for Children:
Jan. 16, Martin Luther King Day; Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day;
March 17, St. Patrick’s Day. (For detailed information, call the Society or watch for flyers from your child’s school)
Spring Benefit Dinner-Dance Saturday, April 1, 7 p.m.
Answers to “Homes Quiz”:
1. Underhill Tavern, 350 Old Army Rd.
2. Olsen-Bennet House, 10 Elmdorf Dr.
3. Griffen-Fish House, 31 Mamaroneck Rd.
4. Tompkins birthplace, 42 Olmsted Rd.
Correction: In our last issue, we misidentified Oliver Hyatt as Gretchen Siebel’s brother; he was, in fact, her uncle -- the brother of her mother, Agnes Hyatt Hohaus.