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COUNTY THE BRONX HISTORIAN

Newsletter of The Bronx County Historical Society HISTORICAL SOCIETY October 2018 – January 2019 Volume 42 Number 1 3309 BAINBRIDGE AVENUE THE BRONX, 10467 PHONE: (718) 881- 8900 The Return of Bronx Ferry Service FAX: (718) 881- 4827 www.bronxhistoricalsociety.org On the morning of August 15, 2018 curious Bronx commuters used the newly Visit us on Facebook, Youtube, and established ferry line operated by NYC Ferry. The ferry line runs from the Clason Twitter. Point community in Soundview to Pier 11 at Wall Street, with two stops in between:

th th The Bronx County Historical Society, East 90 and East 34 streets. The ride from The Bronx to lower takes a little over 45 minutes. The ferries are equipped with restrooms, a concession stand founded in 1955, is a private, non - profit educational and cultural and bar, free WiFi service, and enough space for bicycles to be stored for the ride. institution chartered by the New The commute is actually a breath of fresh air for the usual subway rider, as travel York State Board of Regents. The south on the offers breathtaking views of Manhattan's skyline, Society is dedicated to the collection, overwhelming bridge passes, and the busy waterfronts of the . The Bronx ferry preservation, documentation and service to Manhattan seems to be a pleasant substitute for subway and bus interpretation of the history and transportation. For today's Bronx commuters, ferry service is an unconventional heritage of The Bronx and its people commute. Yet, ferry service from The Bronx dates back hundreds of years. from its earliest historical references in the 17th century to the present. Ferries carried colonists from the village of Westchester to Whitestone, now part The Society disseminates information of . Operated from properties by utilizing its collections in owned by notable families in Bronx exhibitions, historical research, antiquity such as the Ferris, Hunt, di production of publications and The Bronx County Historical Society Zerega, and Lorillard, this section of the documentaries, educational and Collections. borough is now appropriately called cultural programming, the operation and also serves as the of our research library, The Bronx Bronx anchor for the Bronx-Whitestone County Archives and two historic Bridge. As outdoor excursions became landmark house museums - the th c.1812 Edgar Allan Poe Cottage and more commonplace during the 19 Today's NYC Ferry from Clason Point to Manhattan offers the c.1758 fieldstone farmhouse a scenic ride with on-board amenities. century, New Yorkers from all over the

city traveled to and fro by ferry to Valentine -Varian House/Museum of The Bronx County Historical Society Collections. Bronx History. amusement venues along the Harlem River such as Kyle's Park near High This newsletter is published three Bridge. When Yankee team owner Col. times a year as a service to members Jacob Ruppert purchased land on South and friends. The Bronx County HistoricalBrother Society Island Collections. in the 1890s, he

The Bronx County Historical Society DDDDadvertise d 25-cent ferry service from th is partially supported through funds East 138 Street in Mott Haven to see and services provided by the NYC the New York Cuban Giants play on the Departments of Cultural Affairs and island. During the same time, beer- Parks and Recreation, the Historic brewing magnate George Ehret ran a House Trust of , The ferry service from his Hell Gate Bronx City Council Delegation, the Brewery Company on East 92nd Street Office of the President of the Borough Municipal ferry service between The Bronx and Queens was in Manhattan to transport goods and of The Bronx, The Bronx Delegations widely used until the late 1940s. This is the Harlem in 1921, passengers to The Bronx. One of the of the NYS Assembly and the NYS carrying passengers between Clason and College Points. th stops was East 134 Street in Port Senate, the H.W. Wilson Foundation, The Bronx County Historical Society Collections. Morris, where two defunct landmark the Astor Fund, the Lucius N. Littauer ferry gantries stand today. Foundation, Foundation, the Verizon Foundation, By the early 1950s, ferry service was no longer an option for Bronxites. Yet, as the the New York State Library, the New gripes of subway service continue to mount and local bus travel still struggles

Yankee Stadium Community Benefits through thick city traffic, today's ferry service from Clason Point to Manhattan may Fund, Susan Tane, and the New York The Bronx County Historical Society beCollections. just what's needed to ease rush-hour Bronx commute. Once again Bronxites have a Public Library. another option to travel.

The Bronx Historian Page 2 of 4

October 2018 – January 2019 Volume 42 Number 1

PURE GOLD COLLECTIONS DONATIONS Schools, businesses, institutions, The Society’s research library, object, and archival collections are a great resource. We thank and associations in The Bronx are noted those who recently made the following donations (partial list):

Gen-Tile, Ceramic James Brown: 2 Journals: First 25 Years of Evander Childs High School (1913-1938) and The Beacon, and Porcelain Tile Public School 72, Bronx, Volume II, No. I, January 1935. 1047 E. Gun Hill Road

Est. 1988 James Cashel: Miscellaneous objects, photographs of family houses and journals on Westchester Methodist Episcopal Church. Hillside Auto Salvage 4157 Boston Road Ann Creaney: 16 The Bronx County Historical Society Journals (1988-1995).

Est. 1968 Mary Ann Fitzgerald, Saratoga Springs Historian: 1880s sketch of the Brennan Farm, home in 1844-

LaSorsa Chevrolet 1845 of Edgar Allan Poe.

Buick Car Dealer Joseph Camilletti: Photographs and slides documenting Rogers Department Store; construction of the 3545 Webster Avenue Southern Boulevard-Fordham Road underpass and the Third Avenue Elevated and surrounding areas at Est. 1993 Fordham Road and Third Avenue, 1920s-1964.

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Melanie Edwards: 3 books - The Hall of Fame, by Henry Mitchell MacCracken, Your Hall of Fame, by (partial list) Robert Underwood Johnson and The Story of the Hall of Fame, Including the Lives and Portraits of the

Norman D. Avy Elect and of Those Who Barely Missed Election, by Louis Albert Banks.

Perian Carson u l Paul Engeldrum: 8mm film documenting an Volunteer Fire Department parade Ivette Gonzalez (c. 1946), hurricane (c. 1943) and cargo ship grounded off Locust Point (c. late 1940s-early 1950s). Marnie Hall i th Roxann Jackson eKevin Garrison: 2 photographs - Thomson & Carlson, Carpenters, 19 century.

Sarah Jones t aJoshua Hamerman: Ticket stub from a performance of A Bronx Tale, Longacre Theatre, Sarah Lowengard December 20, 2017. Julio Rivera Berta Urena -Sims VMelanie Hulse: Bronx County Golden Jubilee flag and a dedication program for P.S. 111-The Seton Robert Whittington eFalls School, both from 1964. l FINANCIAL DONATIONS SOCIETY PUBLICATIONS: a Cash donations help The Society fund programming, publications, equipment purchases, and Autographed copy, add $10 z build endowments. To double your donation, check with your employer for any available qmatching gift programs. We are grateful for the following contributions (partial list): u $10 - $99 $100 - $999 $1,000 - $4,999 e Allan Gilbert Chatam Management z Denis J. Boyle EarthShare NYC Gives Antonio Vournou Genesis Realty Eric Ponce Best Energy Power Langsam Property Services N Cedric Fergus Manhattan Parking Group Howard A. Nenner i Nestor & Sheila Danyluk George M. Kondos Orange Bank and Trust n Robert Burke Hybrid Capital Inc. S&T Auto Body a Salvatore Arena Joel H. Rabine Townhouse Management John Nickelsberg Webster Lock & Hardware W Manhattan College Wildlife Conservation Society $5,000 and Up Manny Kumar $ 15.00 o h BronxCare Health System TIAA Charitable Inc. Lloyd Ultan l Tryax Realty Management

Blacks in the SUBMISSIONS FOR THE BRONX COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY ANNUAL JOURNAL Colonial Bronx: A Documentary Since 1964, the BCHS Journal has been one of the premier history journals in the tri-state region. History a The Journal’s articles, written with clarity and scholarly substance, are of interest to all who enjoy $18.00 r accounts of people, business events, mercantile gain, defending the nation’s interest, or the love of o The Bronx. As an ongoing tradition for Bronxites to share their personal experiences, The Society l is accepting articles for its Journal. Do you have a Bronx story to share? Kindly send in your e article in Microsoft Word format along with 1-2 images at 300dpi as email attachments to [email protected]. Make sure you include your contact information.

The Bronx: W Then & Now i $21.99 s BEQUESTS e You can support The Society's work by means of a bequest. The following paragraph is suggested mfor your convenience, for insertion in your will: “I give and devise and bequeath, to The Bronx County Historical Society, located at 3309 Bainbridge Avenue, The Bronx, New York 10467, a n incorporated with the New York State Board of Regents, [insert the amount of money or describe the personal property or real estate] to be used for the general purposes of The Society.”

The Bronx Historian Page 3 of 4 October 2018 – January 2019 Volume 42 Number 1

New Publication!

Digging The Bronx: Recent Archaeology in the Borough explores the archaeology of New York City’s borough of The Bronx by describing several recent projects that exemplify the range of current practice. Readers will find a short history of archaeological research in The Bronx and illustrates some of the ways archaeology has been conducted: field schools, public archaeology, cultural resource management, technical examination of Edgar Allan Poe recovered finds, and ethnohistory. This book also contains information about Cottage discoveries that have been made during the last decades, and the scope of their subject matter is wide-ranging, covering periods from the first colonial Poe Park contact with Native Americans in the 1600s to the early 20th century. Grand Concourse & East Kingsbridge Road Each copy is $25 plus tax. To order yours, simply call us at (718) 881-8900 or visit our online Museum Store at www.shop.bronxhistoricalsociety.org. Owned by the New York City

Department of Parks, it is operated by The Bronx County Historical Society. The house is a member of the

EXHIBITIONS AT Historic House Trust.

THE MUSEUM OF BRONX HISTORY 3266 BAINBRIDGE AVENUE & EAST 208TH STREET, THE BRONX, NEW YORK 10467 (718) 881 - 8900 MUSEUM HOURS: SAT 10AM - 4PM / SUN 1PM - 5PM (GROUP TOURS MON.-FRI. BY APPOINTMENT)

April 12, 2018 - April 11, 2019

His muse: the women of edgar th allan poe’s life Opening reception – october 4 4:30 PM – 7:00 PM October 4, 2018 – Museum of Bronx april 7, 2019 History/Valentine- Varian House 3266 Bainbridge Avenue & East 208th Street

Junior Bronx Historians Summer Camp Update Owned by The Bronx County Historical Society, the house is a From July 30 – August 3, 2018, ten students from around The member of the Historic House Bronx joined BCHS’s second annual Junior Bronx Historians Summer Academy. Students explored the borough through the Trust. Its operation is made lens of the American Revolution and Edgar Allan Poe’s New possible in part by public funds York. Field trips included the Van Cortlandt House to learn how to provided through the New York cook over an open fire, Fordham University to see where Poe City Department of Cultural spent his free time, and to the oldest bridge in New York City, the Affairs. High Bridge. While it was a critical thinking and walking-intensive program, students had a blast exploring the county’s rich history.

New Trolley Tours!

The Bronx County Historical Society and The Woodlawn Conservancy are happy to annouce a new partnership featuring two popular trolley tour series: The Beautiful Bronx and Bronx Breweries Legacy. As before, BCHS' Angel Hernandez will lead the tours. Tours run from 12PM-5PM and the start/finish location is the Jerome Avenue entrance of The Woodlawn Cemetery. Tours are rain or shine and ticket sales are final, so no refunds will be forthcoming. Also, lunch is not included in the sales price for any of the tours. There are only 30 seats on the trolley, therefore tickets must be purchased in advance. For more information, please call The Woodlawn Conservancy at (718) 920-1469.

The Beautiful Bronx Trolley Tour Series (Northwest Bronx tour sold out) 3309 Bainbridge Avenue Southwest Bronx The Bronx, New York 10467 Saturday, September 22, 2018 Phone: (718) 881 -8900 The southwest section of The Bronx holds some of the most historic neighborhoods in the borough. This tour takes you to Fax: (718) 881 -4827 notable places in Mott Haven, Port Morris, The Hub, Longwood, Hunts Point, and more. There will be a one-hour lunch www.bronxhistoricalsociety.org break in Mott Haven, where a variety of restaurants and other businesses are located.

FACILITIES: Southeast Bronx Saturday, October 13, 2018 Research Library Just east of The Bronx River you will find communities that hold a rich and historic legacy. Take a tour on Woodlawn 3309 Bainbridge Avenue Cemetery’s Trolley and experience the history this part of The Bronx has to offer in Soundview, Clason Point, Parkchester, By Appointment Castle Hill, Westchester Square, and more. There will be a one-hour lunch break in Westchester Square, where a variety of restaurants and other businesses are located.

The Bronx County Archives Northeast Bronx 3313 Bainbridge Avenue Saturday, November 17, 2018 By Appointment The northeast section of The Bronx was underdeveloped for many years. It was not until the annexation of The Bronx, east of The Bronx River in 1895, that a new age of development and urbanization occurred. This trip takes you through Museum of Bronx History/ neighborhoods such as , Country Club, , Co-Op City, , City Island, and Valentine-Varian House more. There will be a one-hour lunch break on City Island. 3266 Bainbridge Avenue ***** and East 208th Street Bronx Breweries Legacy Trolley Tours Museum hours: Continuing the beer brewing industry in The Bronx, these tours will take participants on The Woodlawn Conservancy Saturdays 10AM-4PM and Trolley to the borough’s newest breweries and beer halls. The Bronx County Historical Society will lead the tour. There Sundays 1PM-5PM. will be a one-hour lunch break in Little Italy (). Here are the following dates:

Edgar Allan Poe Cottage Saturday, September 8, 2018 Poe Park & 2640 Grand Concourse and East Kingsbridge Road Saturday, November 10, 2018

Museum hours:

Thursdays and Fridays 10AM-3PM World War I in The Bronx: Saturdays 10AM-4PM and Saturday October 13, 2018 at 2pm Sundays 1PM-5PM. In 1917, soldiers, sailors and Marines departed New York City for France to fight in World War I. Before they deployed, some participated in training exercises at Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, with patriotic New Yorkers Call The Society to arrange gathering at the Parade Ground to observe the activities. Explore key World War I sites in Van Cortlandt Park with historian Vivian Davis of The Bronx County Historical Society, and learn more about New York City’s role. The group tours during the week. tour will be meeting at the bottom of the southern steps of the 1 train at the Van Cortlandt Park/242nd Street station.

Presented in partnership with the New York Transit Museum. ENDOWED FUNDS Tickets can be purchased at https://www.nytransitmuseum.org/program/wwi-1013/ The Bronx County Historical or call (718) 694-1600. Tickets are $40 each. Society encourages the establishment of named endowment funds. Funds may FREE PUBLIC LECTURE be created to support many Society programs, or may be The following free lecture will be held at established for restricted use. the Museum of Bronx History/Valentine-Varian House The funds appear permanently 3266 Bainbridge Avenue, The Bronx, New York 10467 on the financial records of The For directions, please call (718) 881-8900

Society in recognition of their ongoing support of its work. Emilia Casanova’s New York World Saturday, December 1, 2018 at 1pm For further details, contact: Dr. Virginia Sanchez Korrol, notable historian and author, will present an illustrated presentation based on her book, Mr. Joel Podgor, CPA Feminist and Abolitionist: The Story of Emilia Casanova. The presentation captures the legacy of a fascinating Treasurer (718) 881-8900 woman, a cause, a culture, and an intriguing glimpse of the Latino American community in New York City during th the 19 century. From her baronial mansion in The Bronx, Emilia Casanova set out to secure Cuban independence and almost changed the course of American history. Dr. Korrol will also have copies of her book available for sale.