GGaazzeboebo GGaazzeetttete The Newsletter of the Larchmont Historical Society
September-November 2003
WALKING TOUR OF THE MANOR SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16 Free and Open to the Public.
Meet in Fountain Square at 3 p.m. The tour will be led by Cheryl Lewy, former Mayor of Larchmont
From the Archives tures, 1931. These items were do- *Two boxes of copies of Phil Severin nated by Fernschild's nephew, sketches, donated by his daughter-in- by Diane Holland Charles Lange. law, Lois Severin. We have received the following dona- *Early glass negatives of 46 Mag- *Several hundred boxes of note cards tions between spring and September nolia Avenue and members of the featuring a painting of Manor Park by 2003: White, Freeman, and Allen fami- Christopher Parrott to be sold for $10 a *Mamaroneck and Larchmont origi- lies, donated by Beth and Kevin box, with $3 going to the Society and $7 nal photographs in three family al- Mullaney. to the Bonfire Foundation. The donation bums dated 1906-1913 by Anne Baade. *A new filing cabinet for the Archives, was coordinated by Jan Northup. *A professionally bound photography donated by the Holland family. continued on page 3 and biography of Carl Mydans, in- cluding the 2002 House Tour exhibit; Larchmont Historical Society Century Homes a professionally bound scrapbook of his Life Magazine articles; and three by Ellen Martin interviews by John Loengard, January The Society is pleased to announce house tour. Extensive research was 1992, from the Time Inc. Archives. five new Century Homes members. done for each property, and they These items were prepared by photo The owners of One Fountain Square, have all been a part of Larchmont's archivist Lily Solmssen Moureaux, and 21 Oak Avenue, 20 Maple Avenue, history for at least 100 years. If you the donation was coordinated by Jan 24 Helena Avenue, and St. John's would like to add your home to the Northrup. Church have received certificates growing list of Century Homes, *Original blueprints of 90 Park Av- indicating that their buildings were please contact the Society for an enue by architect G. J. Fernschild; pro- constructed before 1903. Each application. 2004 is not far away, fessional sketches and photographs by owner graciously open their doors and that will open membership eligi- Fernschild; and New Rochelle in Pic- last spring for the Society's annual bility to even more Larchmont homes!
1 September-November 2003
Our Constitution: The Design of Providence Published by The Larchmont Historical Society by Theora Pierce Hahn P.O. Box 742, Larchmont NY 10538 (914) 381-2239 Americans now celebrate our "Char- rest its authority ultimately upon the Editor: Judith Doolin Spikes ter of Freedom," signed September authority which is Divine...Far from Officers and Board of Trustees: 17, 1787, in its 216th year. Constitu- being rivals or enemies, religion and Fred Baron, President tion Week was designated by a 1956 Ellen Martin, 1st Vice President law are twin sisters, friends, and David Miles, 2nd Vice President Joint Act of Congress, including an mutual assistants. The Divine law Judy Spikes, Recording Secretary annual Presidential Proclamation. We forms an essential part of both." Brian Zell, Treasurer refelect on America's foundations Alexander Hamilton, NY Ned Benton BarbaraNewman while a series of challenges question Meredith Brawer Jane Nishimura Delegate, Signer, creator of "The William Byrne Norma Perciasepe our roots. Our remarkable Founders Federalist" (with Jay and Madison; Chris Clarke Colette Rodbell were inspired to establish a unique Anne Cumella Antoinette Sarfaty first and supreme analyst of the Con- Theora Hahn Marvin D.Schwartz government whose power and rights stitution for Ratification) was the Peggy Kahn Alton Tobey came not from royal mandate or Mary McGahan Dee Van Eyck first to call for a Constitutional Con- Ellen Martin dictator's fiat, but from God to the vention. Hamilton wrote: "The sa- people to government. Rev. Thomas The Larchmont Historical Society was founded in 1980 cred rights of mankind are not to be and chartered in 1981 as a not-for-profit educational Hooker, a Founder from Hartford, rummaged for among parchments or corporation by the New York State Board of Regents to Connecticut, in his 1638 "Election discover, preserve, and disseminate information con- musty records. They are written, as cerning the natural, social, and civic history of Sermon," declared: "The authourity with a sunbeam in the whole volume Larchmont, and to promote the preservation of local of government is granted by God to historical sites and structures.The Society maintains an of human nature, by the hand of archives in the Mamaroneck Town Center, 740 W. the people; magistrates should be Divinity itself, and can never be Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck; publishes a newslet- chosen by majority vote and their ter; offers programs; conducts tours for school children erased or obscured by mortal power." and adults; and offers outreach lectures to other com- authority defined and limited by law." George Washington, President of the munity groups. His principles became the basis for The newsletter is published to provide news of the Constitutional Convention: "Of all Society and occasional articles of related interest. Opin- the "Fundamental Orders" enacted the dispositions and habits which ions expressed are those of their authors; publication by the General Court of Connecticut, lead to political prosperity, religion should not be construed as endorsement by the Society. January 1639--history's first written and morality are indispensable constitution of self-government and supports...Reason and experience forerunner of the the U.S. Constitu- both forbid us to expect that national The Archives are located tion. morality can prevail in exclusion of in Suite 301 of the This new concept, developed religious principle. Gouverneur Mor- Mamaroneck Town Center, by those visionary Framers, created a ris of Pennsylvania and Morrisania, 740 W. Boston Post Road, document praised around the world. NY, spoke 173 times during the Con- Mamaroneck. 10543. British Prime Minister Gladstone: vention, wrote the Preambles--"We "The American Constitution is the the People"--and drafted the docu- most wonderful work ever struck off ment. Morris also wrote: "Religion Regular hours are Tues- at a given time by the brain and pur- is the only solid basis of good mor- days and Thursdays 9-2. Ap- pose of man." As highly educated als; therefore education should teach pointments on other days, and brilliant as they were, the vast the precepts of religion and the du- including Saturdays, may be majority acknowledged that their in- ties of man towards God." Thomas arranged. Please call 381- spiration came from a Higher Jefferson was Ambassador to France 2239 for more information or Power. It was truly a "Miracle at in 1787. He wrote the phrase "the to make an appointment. Philadelphia." James Wilson, signer wall of separation between Church and original Supreme Court Justice, and State" to Danbury Baptist Asso- Archivist: Diane Holland co-authored early commentaries on ciation in 1802, 11 years after the Home page:
Our Constitution, continued from the legislature nor in any other hu- Founders prove their intent was es- page 2 man power--but in God alone." Alexis tablishment on the law of God. yield- Bill of Rights and the First Amend- deToqueville observed: "In America ing "Blessings of Liberty." Many ment were ratified. He was assuring it is religion which leads to enlight- agree with Jay: "It appears as if it was protection to the Church from the enment and the observance of Divine the Design of Providence." State, not the reverse. This phrase laws which lead men to liberty." Theora Pierce Hahn is a founding and from a personal letter, not even a John Jay, crucial to Ratifica- current trustee of the Larchmont Histori- public policy paper, was inserted as cal Society and Chairman of Constitution tion and original U.S. Chief Justice, Week for the Larchmont Chapter of the if part of the original Constitution by declared: "National prosperity can Daughters of the American Revolution. Supreme Court Justices from 1947, neither be obtained nor preserved influencing rulings ever since, but without the favor of Providence." Archives, continued from page 1 never mentioned by those Founders, Ben Franklin's long and eloquent We have begun renovation of the nor by Fisher Ames, who gave the observations broke the stormy dead- Archives. Document capacity has final phrasing to the First Amend- lock of Convention. "We have been increased by 50%. Further improve- ment. Ames urged that the Bible re- assured, Sir, in the Sacred Writings ments include blueprint holders, ar- main always as the primary textbook that except the Lord build the house, chival binders, and furniture rear- in America's classrooms. President they labor in vain that build it." James rangement. We are currently weed- John Adams declared: "Our Consti- Madison, "Father of the Constitu- ing, cleaning, and updating the li- tution was made only for a moral and tion," edited George Mason's "Vir- brary. We need volunteers to com- religious people. It is wholly inad- ginia Declaration of Rights" for the plete this work and to assemble metal equate to the government of any "Bill of Rights" and affirmed: "Reli- shelves and move books. Please con- other." Supreme Court Justice Tom gion is the basis and foundation of tact the Archives if you can help, Clark wrote: "The Founding Fathers government." He authorized Con- especially on a Friday or Saturday. believed devoutly that there was a gressional Chaplains, Bible distribu- Also, if you know of any organiza- God, and the unalienable rights of tion, National Prayer and Thanks- tions that receive used books, we man were rooted--not in the State nor giving. Countless quotations by would appreciate hearing from you.
The Larchmont Historical Society proudly announces the publication of House Calls Vol. 2: The LHS House Tours 1994-2003 This123-page softcover book contains the historical and architectural text from the annual handbooks of the Society's house tours from 1994 to 2003, representing 56 remarkable dwellings and other structures. It contains a photo of each building and four indices and is available from the Archives for $20 a copy. Also, House Calls Vol. 1 (1981-1993) is back in print and is available on the same terms.
3 September-November Larchmont Historical Society 2003
But Is It History? named because "so many vessels and lives had been lost there." But cher- Membership Form The following is the second in a series of ished stories die hard and even get Please enroll me as a member of the local myths written by the late Phil Reisman, Larchmont Historical Society. My tax-de- Jr., and first published here in 1989. We will embellished. Now we hear that the ductible dues for one year are enclosed. republish one of the myths in each issue. rusty iron ring imbedded in the rock is Membership year ends June 30,2004. Few local myths are so persistently be- the very one to which hapless crimi- New ❒ Renewal ❒ lieved as the one that insists that Execu- nals were chained to await the rising tion Rock, that tiny islet in the Sound off tide. Few myth vendors wish to know ❑ Individual $15. New Rochelle, was in the 18th century that the ring was put there to enable a place where criminals convicted of the lighthouse keeper to tie up his ❑ Family $25. dory. But on a night with no moon, capital offenses were barbarously sub- ❑ Senior (65 or older) or student $5. jected to judicial drowning by being when the wind is just right, Execution chained alive to the rock and executed Rock might be just the place from ❑ Institutional or Business $25. by the incoming tide. [A variant holds which to hail The Flying Dutchman. ❑ Sustaining $50. that patriots were thus executed by the Alton Tobey: British during the Revolution.] Here is ❑ Life (individual only) $150. one of those legends so cherished that it Exhibition and Reception probably will never be allowed to die. All are invited to an exhibition of over 30 Make checks payable and mail to: paintings by Alton Tobey to be held at the So this, then, is just for the record. New Rochelle Public Library October 22 Larchmont Historical Society There has never been the slightest through November 14. The exhibit has Box 742 evidence that anyone has ever been ex- been mounted by the New Rochelle Coun- Larchmont NY10538 ecuted, judicially or otherwise, by cil on the Arts. drowning or otherwise, on Execution Tobey, a trustee of the Larchmont His- I would like to serve on the following com- Rock. It received its name solely be- torical Society, is an internationally known mittee: artist, illustrator, and muralist whose works cause it was a notorious ship-killer, stra- ❑ Membership ❑ Publications tegically situated in mid-channel to rip are in scores of museums, public places, ❑ House Tour ❑ Historic Sites out the hulls of unwary vessels, to ex- and private collections. ❑ Program ❑ Costumes ecute them for the crime of careless Members of the Historical Society are ❑ Publicity ❑ Archives also invited to attend the reception in honor seamanship. of Mr. Tobey on Sunday, November 2, Name ______George W. Blunt--still familiar to all between 3 and 5 p.m. at the library. sailors as the distinguished author of More information on the show with over Address ______Blunt's Coast Pilot and editor of a dozen images of the paintings in the Telephone ______Bowditch's Navigator--wrote over 125 exhibitionmay be seen at years ago that Execution Rock was so
Larchmont Historical Society Non-Profit Org. P.O. Box 742 U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 366 Larchmont NY 10538 Larchmont NY 10538