THE BRONX HISTORIAN Newsletter of the Bronx County Historical Society
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JUNE 2014 – SEPTEMBER 2014 VOLUME 37 NUMBER 3 THE BRONX HISTORIAN Newsletter of The Bronx County Historical Society THE BRONX COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY 3309 BAINBRIDGE AVENUE FOREFATHER OF THE BRONX THE BRONX, NEW YORK 10467 th PHONE: (718) 881-8900 As we celebrate the 100 anniversary of Bronx County, th FAX: (718) 881-4827 2014 is also the 375 anniversary of the arrival of Jonas Bronck. www.bronxhistoricalsociety.org In June 1639, Swedish sea captain Jonas Bronck arrived on the southern shores of The Bronx County Historical Society, what is now the area of E. 132nd Street founded in 1955, is a private, non-profit and Lincoln Avenue in the Mott Haven educational and cultural institution section of the South Bronx. Within a chartered by the New York State Board of month, he had settled his farm with the Regents. The Society is dedicated to the help of his wife Teuntie Jeuriaens, and a collection, preservation, documentation diverse group of Germans, Danes, and and interpretation of the history and Dutch. Jonas Bronck was an interesting heritage of The Bronx and its people from man. He possessed one of the largest its earliest historical references in the 17th book collections in New Netherland, century to the present. The Society taught himself navigation, and knew A 1908 painting done by John Ward Dunsmore depicts disseminates information by utilizing its a treaty between the Weckquaesgeek natives and the collections in exhibitions, historical more than three languages. Dutch at the home of Jonas Bronck in 1642. research, production of publications and Bronck’s home, which he named The Bronx County Historical Society Collections. Burnside documentaries, educational and cultural Emmaus, had fieldstone walls and a Unfortunately, Jonas Bronck lived at programming, the operation of our research Emmaus for only four years. He died in tiled roof. On his farm, he grew wheat, library, The Bronx County Archives and tobacco, barely, rye and there is 1643 due to unknown circumstances and two historic landmark house museums - the evidence that Bronck might have the widow Teuntie remarried. She, along . c.1812 Edgar Allan Poe Cottage and the brewed his own beer. There were horses with the rest of the farmhands, left the c.1758 fieldstone farmhouse Valentine- and cattle that grazed the land, while farm for good and it was transferred to Varian House/Museum of Bronx History. cows provided milk. different owners for several years. However, the land was soon referred to Life in New Netherland was not easy. The headquarters of The Society is located as “Broncksland” and the river that at 3309 Bainbridge Avenue, The Bronx, Living on the frontier and the work marked the easternmost boundary of it New York 10467. This newsletter is involved with clearing land for was called the “Broncks River” - from published three times a year as a service to settlement was arduous. Relations which we received the name of our members and friends. between the Dutch and natives were borough today, with a slight change of tempestuous. However, there is no spelling. Although Bronx County turns The Bronx County Historical Society is record of Bronck having any altercations partially supported through funds and 100 this year, let’s not forget the man with the natives. His own home was services provided by the NYC who started it all 375 years ago - Jonas used as a site for a 1642 peace treaty Departments of Cultural Affairs and Parks Bronck, the first European settler. and Recreation, the Historic House Trust signing (pictured above). of New York City, the NYS Library, The Bronx City Council Delegation, the Office To learn more about Jonas of the President of the Borough of The Bronck, read The Bronx in Bronx, the Bronx Delegations of the NYS the Frontier Era: From the Assembly and the NYS Senate, the H.W. Beginning to 1698 and The Wilson Foundation, the Astor Fund, the Lucius N. Littauer Foundation, The New Northern Borough: A York Times Foundation, the Verizon History of The Bronx, both Foundation, the New Yankee Stadium written by Lloyd Ultan. Community Benefits Fund, the Susan Tane Also, you can consult an Foundation, the New York Public Library, article published in the and The Bronx Chamber of Commerce. latest annual BCHS Journal titled “The Origin and Genealogy of Jonas Bronck” by Shelly L. This 1639 map of New Netherland by Johannes Vingboom shows Bronck’s Olson and Dilip K. farm on the southern tip of today’s Bronx, located on the far right center. Kondepudi. The Bronx County Historical Society Collections. Burnside The Bronx Historian Page 2 of 4 JUNE 2014 – SEPTEMBER 2014 VOLUME 37 NUMBER 3 COLLECTIONS DONATIONS The Society’s research library, object, and archival collections are a great resource. PURE GOLD We thank those who recently made the following donations (partial list): Schools, businesses, A. Attura: Book, Guide to Historical Resources in Bronx County New York Repositories, institutions, and 1988. associations in The Anonymous: Pocket knife; 3 pocket watches; tire pressure gauge; man’s wristwatch; travel Bronx are noted. clock with light; coffee grinder; Canada Dry ginger ale advertising mirror, 1940s-1980s. Baychester Locksmiths Barry Banks: Sheet music for trumpet, “Ne Cede Malis (The Bronx Battle Cry)” composed by donor. 3531 Boston Road Est. 1974 Martin Diamond: New York City, Bronx history and Bronx Zoo books and publications, various school programs, autograph books, and badges, as well as correspondence and other Corner Furniture ephemera (1860s-1990s). Discount Center, Inc. Nicholas DiBrino: Shoeshine kit and a World War II-era Civil Defense helmet and gas 2916 White Plains Road mask. Est. 1964 Caridad De La Luz: Book, The Poetician and music CD, “Brujalicious.” Scaglione Bakery William Putnam Dunham, Jr.: Bronx photograph and January 2013 issue of Westchester 1078 Morris Park Avenue Magazine. Est. 1950 Frank Fasolino: Newspaper articles and clippings on the Belmont/Arthur Avenue community, 1980-2009. WELCOME NEW Kate Feighery: Various Bronx church journals. MEMBERS! Glenn Fleischman: Books, Popular Official Guide to the New York Zoological Park and Andrea Stone History of the United States. Bernard Cylich James C. Gilmore: A 1914 water tax bill on a Bronx property. Jack Kleinfeld Jean Kivlehan FINANCIAL DONATIONS John N. Herring Cash donations help The Society fund programming, publications, equipment purchases, and build endowments. To double your donation, check with your Joseph Brogan III employer for any available matching gift programs. We are grateful for the following Marilyn Wegh contributions (partial list): Michael Knobbe $10 - $99 $100 - $999 $1,000 - $4,999 Sidney & Janice Brown Susan Schulman Alexander Dunkel Hutch Metro Center CPJ Quality Foods Archie Arpiarian John P. Dillon Fordham Associates NEW SOCIETY Bernadette Meyer Joseph Rachlin Gail Perlee PUBLICATIONS: Ed McLoughlin Lehman College James G. Houlihan Family Second, LP Gerald Hobbins Autographed copy, add $10 Lottie Esteban Mr & Mrs Robert Esnard John McHale Mary Elizabeth Wendt The History Channel Blacks in the Karl Stricker Sindey Horenstein Marie King Yelena Novitskaya $5,000 - and over Colonial Bronx: Maryann C. Cassidy Mutual Fund Investment The Lucius N. Littauer Foundation A Richard Karman Lloyd Ultan Documentary Robert Burke History Selig Eisenberg $18.00 SUBMISSIONS FOR THE BRONX COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY ANNUAL JOURNAL The Bronx: Then & Now Since 1964, the BCHS Journal has been one of the premier history journals in the tri-state $21.99 region. The Journal’s articles, written with clarity and scholarly substance, are of interest to all The Northern Borough: who enjoy accounts of people, business events, mercantile gain, defending the nation’s interest, A History of The Bronx or the love of The Bronx. The Society is accepting articles for its Journal. Kindly send in your $28.00 article in Microsoft Word format along with 2-4 images or illustrations at 300dpi as email attachments to [email protected]. Make sure you include your contact information. Nancy Serra-Spencer – 4 photographs of Edgewater Camp, 1920s. The Bronx Historian Page 3 of 4 JUNE 2013 – SEPTEMBER 2013 VOLUME 36 NUMBER 3 14th Annual Golf Outing To Support The Bronx County Historical Society Split Rock Golf Course / Pelham Bay Park Wednesday, September 17, 2014 Co-chairs: Katherine Gleeson & Mark Engel 2014 Co-Honorees: Anthony Ross - CHILDREN'S CORNER LEARNING CENTER The Singer Family - ORIGINAL ENERGY 10:00 AM Registration & Breakfast 11:00 AM Shotgun Start Edgar Allan Poe 4:00 PM Cocktail Reception & Awards Dinner Cottage $375 Per Player includes Golf & Dinner Poe Park $150 Dinner Only Grand Concourse & For golf sponsorship opportunities, please contact Tournament Coordinator, Teresa Brown at East Kingsbridge [email protected]. To take an ad out in the Golf Journal, please contact Catherine Pellicano Road at [email protected]. Owned by the New York CURRENT AND UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS City Department of Parks, it is operated by The Museum of Bronx History Bronx County Historical 3266 Bainbridge Avenue & East 208th Street Society since 1976. The The Bronx, New York 10467 house is a member of the Museum Hours: Sat 10am - 4pm / Sun 1pm - 5pm Historic House Trust. (Group tours Mon.-Fri. by appointment) Bronx County - 100 Years Now through October 19, 2014 The Bronx County Historical Society documents the 100 years of Bronx County with a collection of historic photographs, books, documents, and artifacts. Upcoming Fall Exhibitions High