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HISTORIAN Newsletter of The Bronx Historical Society

VOLUME 38 NUMBER 1 OCTOBER 2014 Ð JANUARY 2015

THE BRONX COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY 3309 BAINBRIDGE THE BRONX, NEW 10467 PHONE: (718) 881-8900 FAX: (718) 881-4827 www.bronxhistoricalsociety.org Burnside The Bronx County Historical Society, founded in 1955, is a private, non- profit educational and cultural AN ENGINEERING MARVEL institution chartered by the State Board of Regents. The With a burgeoning population of Originally designed as a stone . Society is dedicated to the collection, 30,000, at of the 18th century, resembling a Roman aqueduct, its center preservation, documentation and New York needed a source of replaced in 1928 by a single interpretation of the history and heritage of The Bronx and its people fresh . It had no system steel arch to aid ship on the from its earliest historical references and most of its wells were polluted. River. in the 17th century to the present. Outbreaks of cholera, typhoid and The Society disseminates information Considered an engineering marvel of its by utilizing its collections in were commonplace. day, High Bridge is the oldest surviving exhibitions, historical research, Water supplies for fire fighting were bridge in . As part of a production of publications and inadequate and fires raged unchecked, documentaries, educational and major restoration, its pedestrian walkway is cultural programming, the operation destroying entire city blocks. to reopen to the public in 2015. of our research library, The Bronx County Archives and two historic New York City built the Croton house - the c.1812 Aqueduct to bring water from the Cottage and the c. in upper Westchester 1758 fieldstone farmhouse Valentine- Varian House/ of Bronx County across the farms in the modern History. western Bronx to the High Bridge spanning the into This newsletter is published three times a year as a service to members . In 1842, water flowed into and . above ground located at the present sites of the New York Public The Bronx County Historical Society is partially supported through funds Library and the Great Lawn of Central and services provided by the NYC . Throngs of people attended the Departments of Cultural Affairs and formal celebration held October 14th and Recreation, the Historic High Bridge undergoing modifications in 1862. House Trust of New York City, celebrating with “Croton cocktails,” a The Bronx County Historical Society Collections. The Bronx City Council Delegation, mix of Croton water and lemonade. the Office of the President of the of The Bronx, the Bronx The High Bridge, officially the The Bronx County Historical Society will Delegations of the NYS Assembly and Aqueduct Bridge, was one of the most showcase the exhibitions High Bridge - the NYS Senate, the H.W. Wilson , Fund, the impressive parts of the system. New York City's Oldest Bridge & Newest Lucius N. Littauer Foundation, The Constructed high above the Harlem Greenway and The Bridge to The Fair - New York Times Foundation, the River between 1837 and 1848, the Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the Verizon Foundation, the New York State Library, the New bridge connected the underground Bronx-Whitestone Bridge as a tribute to two Community Benefits Fund, aqueducts from Westchester all the of our city’s historic . the Susan Tane Foundation, the New way to Manhattan, carrying water to (See page 3.) York Public Library, and The Bronx Chamber of Commerce. reservoirs.

The Bronx Historian Page 2 of 4 OCTOBER 2014 – JANUARY 2015 VOLUME 38 NUMBER 1

COLLECTIONS DONATIONS The Society’s research library, object, and archival collections are a great resource. We thank PURE those who recently made donations (partial list):

Schools, businesses, Al Pizarro- Report, “ Co-Naming Resolution.” institutions, and Ben Gerson - Book, Dropsie Avenue: The Neighborhood. associations in The Bronx are noted: Bill Twomey: 50th anniversary commemorative pin, Church of the Immaculate Conception, Melrose (1903); Borden’s Condensed Milk Company invoice (1912). B.S.F Auto Parts Bob Paoli: Volume of reprinted news bulletins created during World War II by the 1170 Avenue Est. 1980 Brendan Nolan: Stainless steel dinner knife engraved “Montefiore ,” c.1930s-1950s.

Creston Optical Brian Withers: World War II-era personal correspondence written by donor’s in-laws, Frank and Mary Tobitsch. 2169 Est. 1941 Carol Gabrielson Fine: Public School 90 graduation pin, 1939.

Yolanda's Italian Restaurant Carol R. Zanfardino: Photograph of Carmine Sarra’s farm, Williamsbridge Road and Morris , 292 East 149 th Street c. 1890s-1911.

Est. 1960 Deby Sencer Ð Photograph of Shield of David Orphanage, 1936.

Edward Pinksy - Photographs of William Taft High School. WELCOME NEW Guthrie Alberts: Scientific American issue with an illustrated on the moving of the Mott Haven MEMBERS! Railroad Station, 1894.

Eryn Matthewson Jane R. Snyder: Castle Hill Beach Pool diving award bracelet, 1938 Glenorchy Campbell Jean Hayter Jerry Rubackin: English ironstone pattern cabinet plate, 1848.

Jeremy R. Vega Jon Allen: Real estate prospectus for the Netherland Gardens complex (1949) and a Mary French farm dictionary (c. 1944-1945).

Phyllis Day Margaret T. Schroder Ð Book, Can’t Stop Won’t Shop, A History of the Hip-Hop Generation and various Steven Benardo Bronx brochures and newspaper clippings.

NEW SOCIETY Matthew Foglino: Newspaper articles, correspondence and programs on the Hall of for Great Americans, 1922-1955; M.A. thesis, “American Suburban Visions: The Forgotten Bronx.”

PUBLICATIONS: FINANCIAL DONATIONS Autographed copy, add $10 donations help The Society fund programming, publications, equipment purchases, and build

endowments. To double your donation, check with your employer for any available matching gift Education & programs. We are grateful for the following contributions (partial list): in The $10 - $99 $10 - $99 $100 - $999 $1,000 - $4,999 Bronx: A Research A.F. Freiss Margaret Schroder Adam Gottbetter Guide ADCO Electrical Corp. Marjorie Dovman Herbert Mandel G. Hermalyn $20.00 Anna Marie Castagnetta Mark Glander HSBC Howard A. Levine Barbara Higgins Meredith Corp. Foundation Joseph Kelleher Krasdale Foods, Inc. Denis Boyle Neil Harrow Manhattan Neil Weissman Donald J. Petersen Norbert Dengler Martin Luskin Interstate Harry A. Parsons Fass The Bronx: Mezares Engineering Water Pollution Howard A. Nenner Russell F. Ryer Mitchell Maidman Then & Now Teddy Nissan, LLC Joan Pendergast Ruth Anderberg Peter Zinman $21.00 Joseph A. Barone Salvatore Arena of NYC $5,000 - and over

Joseph Esposito Sara S. Berlan Wildlife Conservation Karl Reinsons Shaurian Farber Society Growald Family Kathy McArdle Stephen D. Miele Neil & Roula Clark Lilly Pappas Thomas McConnell The Northern Lois Rosen Wallis Doerge

Borough: A Lottie Esteban History of The Bronx SUBMISSIONS FOR THE BRONX COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY ANNUAL JOURNAL $28.00 Since 1964, the BCHS Journal has been one of the premier history journals in the tri-state region. The Journal’s articles, written with clarity and scholarly substance, are of interest to all who enjoy accounts of people, business

events, mercantile gain, defending ’s interest, or the of The Bronx. The Society is now accepting articles for its Journal. Kindly send your article in Microsoft Word format along with 2-4 images or illustrations at 300dpi as email attachments to [email protected]. Make sure include your contact information.

The Bronx Historian Page 3 of 4 OCTOBER 2014 – JANUARY 2015 VOLUME 38 NUMBER 1 UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS The Bronx: Museum of Bronx History Then & Now th $21.99 3266 Bainbridge Avenue & East 208 Street

The Bronx, New York 10467 Museum Hours: Sat 10am - 4pm / Sun 1pm - 5pm

Education and (Group tours Mon.-Fri. by appointment)

Culture in The Bronx: A Save the Date! Research Guide Opening reception: $20.00 Museum of Wednesday, October 22nd - 4:30PM-7:00PM Bronx History at the Valentine-Varian House 3266 Bainbridge Avenue High Bridge th & East 208 Street

New York City's Oldest Bridge & Newest Greenway Owned by The Bronx County Historical Society, the house is a member of the Historic House October 22, 2014 – October 4, 2015 Trust. Recreation.

!

Its operation of both historic houses are made possible in part by public funds and services provided through the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation

Bronx-Whitestone Bridge Exhibition Courtesy of The Historical Society and MTA Edgar Allan Poe Bridges & October 22, 2014 - April 5, 2015 Cottage Poe Park & East Kingsbridge Road

Owned by the New York City Department of Parks, it is operated by The Bronx County

Historical Society since 1976. The house is a BE A PART OF BRONX HISTORY member of the . Buy a Poe Paver to Support the !

To learn more about it, please call (718) 881-8900 or visit http://bronxhistoricalsociety.org/poecottagepaver

Take Through History BRONX WALKING TOURS The Bronx Each tour costs $10 for BCHS members, $15 for non-members. Please make County reservations as these programs are quite popular and sell out quickly. Contact The Society (718) 881-8900 to reserve your spot. The tours generally run for 75 minutes. Historical Port Morris Society Sunday, October 26, 2014 - 11:00 AM

This extreme southeastern corner of The Bronx was originally advanced by as a seaport. Today, the Port Morris neighborhood is an up and coming section of 3309 Bainbridge Avenue the where former factory buildings are being converted to new commercial The Bronx, New York 10467 Phone: (718) 881-8900 and residential space. Although one may think this industrial enclave may not have any Fax: (718) 881-4827 historic interest, the story of Port Morris is one that explains a pivotal era in Bronx www.bronxhistoricalsociety.org history in which rapid development and urbanization played crucial roles. Join BCHS tour guide Nestor Danyluk on a historic stroll through Port Morris as points out old FACILITIES breweries, the old terminal, and other historic sites. This tour starts outside of the Research Library Cypress Avenue #6 on East 138th Street (in front of Iglesias de Dios). 3309 Bainbridge Avenue By Appointment Bronx buses #17 and #33 can also be used.

Marble Hill The Bronx County Archives 3313 Bainbridge Avenue , November 15, 2014 - 11:00 AM By Appointment Marble Hill, a fifty-two acre community, has been a part of both Manhattan and The Bronx at different times and for different reasons, according to the shifting sands of Valentine-Varian House/ and landfill. Then the Ship Canal, locally called the Harlem Ship Canal, Museum of Bronx History was cut through just below the village. Although the construction project joined the 3266 Bainbridge Avenue Harlem and Hudson rivers, it severed Marble Hill from Manhattan in the process. Once and East 208th Street virtually an , when the was filled in Marble Hill became part

Edgar Allan Poe Cottage of The Bronx, and thus, attached to the mainland United States. BCHS Educator Angel Poe Park Hernandez will lead a historic tour through Marble Hill and discuss its history and the 2640 Grand Concourse and age-old debate regarding its geography. This tour will start on the southeast corner of th th East Kingsbridge Road and West 225 Street, outside . Take the #1 train to West 225 Street or take Bronx bus #9 or Manhattan buses #7 or #20. Visiting hours for both historic house museums: Saturdays 10AM -4PM and FREE PUBLIC LECTURES Sundays 1PM -5PM. Call The Society to arrange group tours Edgar Allan Poe at Fordham during the week. Wednesday, October 29, 2014 Ð 6:00 PM BCHS educator Angel Hernandez will provide an illustrated presentation about one VISIT US ON of America’s gifted and his experience living in The Bronx. This lecture will be FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE AND given at The , located at 301 E. Kingsbridge Road. For more TWITTER. information, please call (718) 579-4257.

ENDOWED FUNDS Poe and The Big Read The Bronx County Historical Society encourages the Saturday, November 8, 2014 - 3:00 PM establishment of named As part of the literary Big Read program, noted author and historian Doc Hermalyn will talk endowment funds. Funds may about Poe Cottage and its relevance in New York City society. This presentation will be held at The Poe Park Visitor Center, located at 2640 Grand Concourse, inside Poe Park. For more be created to support many Society programs, or may be information, please call (718) 365-5516. established for restricted use. The funds appear permanently The Bronx County at 100 on the financial records of The Saturday, December 20, 2014 - 1:00 PM Society in recognition of their The year 2014 marks the centennial of the creation of Bronx County, the 62nd and ongoing support of its work. last named county of New York State. Join BCHS Educator Angel Hernandez in a For further details, contact: discussion about this important milestone in Bronx history, accompanied by an Mr. Joel Podgor, CPA illustrated presentation. This lecture will be given at The Bronx County Archives, located at Treasurer 3313 Bainbridge Avenue. For more information, please call (718) 881-8900. (718) 881-8900