THE BRONX COUNTY The Bronx Historian HISTORICAL SOCIETY Newsletter of The Bronx County Historical Society 3309 BAINBRIDGE AVENUE

THE BRONX, NEW YORK 10467 FEBRUARY 2020 – MAy 2020 VOLUME 43 NUMBER 2 PHONE: (718) 881- 8900 FAX: (718) 881- 4827 www.bronxhistoricalsociety.org A brief look at the bronx… Visit us on Facebook, Youtube, and Twitter. The Bronx is named in memory of the area’s first European

The Bronx County Historical Society, settler, The Swede, Jonas Bronck. The earliest settlement in The Bronx founded in 1955, is a private, non- took place along the Harlem River in 1639, in what is now Mott Haven. profit educational and cultural The Bronx originally was part of Westchester County. In 1841, the institution chartered by the New York New York and Harlem Railroad began regular commuter service State Board of Regents. The Society is between The Bronx and Manhattan, and by 1895 the area had become dedicated to the collection, part of New York City. At the turn of the century, the quiet suburban preservation, documentation and streets and farms of The Bronx began to yield to rapidly expanding interpretation of the history and heritage of The Bronx and its people factories and urban neighborhoods. In 1914, the borough’s main from its earliest historical references throughfare, the Grand Concourse, was completed; it had been in the 17th century to the present. inspired by Paris’ great boulevard, the Champs Elysees. By the 1920s The Society disseminates information the Fordham Road-Grand Concourse intersection was a great by utilizing its collections in commercial nexus and a center of tree-lined avenues, with luxurious exhibitions, historical research, homes and apartment buildings designed in the latest Art Deco and production of publications and modernist styles. documentaries, educational and th cultural programming, the operation The last decade of the 19 century and the first quarter of the of our research library, The Bronx 20th century were the formative years, too, for many great landmarks County Archives and two historic which continue to draw hundreds of thousands of visitor s to The landmark house museums - the Bronx every year. The Bronx Zoo, one of the largest zoos in the world; c.1812 Edgar Allan Poe Cottage and the beautiful park-like New York Botanical Garden; the Hall of Fame the c.1758 fieldstone farmhouse for Great Americans at Bronx Community College (the former campus

Valentine -Varian House/Museum of of New York University), of course, Yankee Stadium and Edgar Allan Bronx History. Poe’s Cottage are just a few of the borough’s many outstanding

This newsletter is published three attractions. times a year as a service to members All of these sites are featured as part of The Society’s tours of The and friends. Bronx. The Bronx is a microcosm of the story of America. The only one The Bronx County Historical Society of New York City’s five boroughs that is actually part of the mainland, is partially supported through funds The Bronx is home to some 1.3 million people with a rich diversity of and services provided by the NYC Departments of Cultural Affairs and ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Since colonial days, The Bronx has Parks and Recreation, the Historic stood at the crossroads of American history. House Trust of New York City, The The Bronx County Historical Society was founded in 1955 to Bronx City Council Delegation, the preserve the heritage of this thriving community. The Society Office of the President of the Borough administers the colonial era Valentine -Varian House, which serves as of The Bronx, The Bronx Delegations the Museum of Bronx History; The Bronx County Archives; an of the NYS Assembly and the NYS extensive Research Library; and Poe Cottage, the final home of Senate, the H.W. Wilson Foundation, America’s great 19th century poet and author, Edgar Allan Poe. Both the Astor Fund, the Lucius N. Littauer Foundation, The New York Times the Valentine-Varian House and Edgar Allan Poe Cottage are on the Foundation, the Verizon Foundation, National Register of Historic Places. The Society was also the sponsor the New York State Library, the New of a new High School in the South Bronx. Yankee Stadium Community Benefits The Society is dedicated to preserving Bronx history. It also Fund, Susan Tane, and the New York offers a variety of programs for tourist s, business persons, students, Public Library. or researchers interested in learning more about contemporary life in

The Bronx.

The Bronx Historian PAGE 2 OF 4 FEBRUARY34.00 2020 – MAY 2020 Page 2 of 4

WELCOME DONATIONS TO THE COLLECTIONS NEW MEMBERS The Society’s research library, object, and archival collections are a great resource. We thank those who recently made the following donations (partial list): Betty Perlish Thomas Dunn George A. Bradley: Schematic design for the rehabilitation of the High Bridge & Aqueduct Joanne Cassidy (1973). Lenore Schultz James J. Kelly David Elpern: Bronx street map (1980). Janet Norquist -Gonzalez Carol B. Weber Thomas X. Casey: 142 slides of early Bronx scenes from the John McNamara collection Mark Nunnally and 76 slides of the Third Avenue Trolley lectures from the Ron Schleissman collection.

Sandra Nunnally Kathy McAuley Daniel Howarth: Edward J. Howarth’s Vietnam-era U.S. Army dress uniform, copy of his Douglas Knepper photograph and discharge papers as well a copy of the book Rolling Up The Rug – An Hostos Community College American Irish Story. (1967, 2014) Sheila Kay Janet Harley Navy Lakehurst Historical Society: 17 postcards depicting the U.S. Naval Training School Bronx Community College (WAVES), located at the J present-day campus of Lehman College, c. 1944. Kathleen McHugh u Allen County Public Library l Amy Small: Photographs and documents on the Small/Smalheiser and Rosen families, c. FINANCIAL DONATIONS Carl Anderson i late 19th century-1952. e Cash donations help The Society fund programming, publications, equipment purchases, and build We are soliciting endowments. To double your donation, check with your employer for any available matching gift t suggestions for our PURE a programs. We are grateful for the following contributions (partial list): GOLD category. PURE GOLD schools, V businesses, institutions, e $10 - $99 $100 - $999 $1,000 – $4,999 $5,000 and Up and associations have l Theresa O’Leary Rabine & Nickelsberg Meszaros Engineering Lysbeth Mate existed and thrived in The Edward McLoughlin Clifton, Budd, DeMaria, LLP Manhattan Parking Grp. Lloyd Ultan a Bronx for fifty or more z Eugene Sklar Joanne Mastropolo S & T Auto Body John Phillips Russell Vollmer Exxon Mobile years. q Shelley K. Rondon Thomas X. Casey Langsam Property Svcs. Have a suggestion? u Email us at: Susannah M. Erler Gilbert L. Walton Schur Management e education@bronxhistoric al z Mary Luersen Alvaro Montenegro Gilbert L. Walton Brennan Ortiz Adolfo Carrion Jr. Wildlife Conservation society.org Lilly Pappas Society N Nicole Giegerich SOCIETY PUBLICATIONS: i Rosemarie DiCristo Autographed copy of first two publications listed, add $10 Evelyn Isaac Alexander Dunkel

Yankee Neumann Goldman Post #69 JWV Stadium 1923-2008 $22.00

SUBMISSIONS FOR THE BRONX COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY ANNUAL JOURNAL Since 1964, the BCHS Journal has been one of the premier history journals in the tri -state region. The Journal’s articles are of interest to all who enjoy accounts of people, business events, mercantile gain, Morris defending the nation’s interest, or the love of The Bronx. The Society is a ccepting articles for its Journal. High Do you have a Bronx story to share? Kindly send in your article in Microsoft Word format along with 2 - School 4 images at 300dpi as email attachments to Nancy Serra-Spencer – 4 photographs of Edgewater Camp, [email protected]. Make sure you $34.00 include your contact information and a short bio.

BEQUESTS

You can support The Society's work by means of a bequest. The following paragraph is suggested for History in your convenience, for insertion in your will: “I give and devise and bequeath, to The Bronx County Asphalt Historical Society, located at 3309 Bainbridge Avenue, The Bronx, New York 10467, incorporated with $30.00 the New York State Board of Regents, [insert the amount of money or describe the p ersonal property or real estate] to be used for the general purposes of The Society.”

The Bronx Historian FEBRUARY 2020 – MAY 2020 Page 3 of 4

THE BRONX COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY SHOP: PERFECT FOR GIFTS!

On left: The Museum of Bronx History/ Valentine - Varian House gift shop

Books, Bronx Afghans, mugs, ornaments & more Edgar Allan Poe are available online at https://shop.bronxhistori Cottage calsociety.org Poe Park & in-store at the Museum Grand Concourse & of Bronx History and Poe East Kingsbridge Road Cottage

Owned by the New York City Department of Parks, it is Exhibition at the museum of bronx history operated by The Bronx County Mott Haven, The Bronx Historical Society. The house is a member of the Historic A Historic District Turns Fifty House Trust. Its operation is made possible in part by public funds provided through the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs

Museum of Bronx History/Valentine- Varian House 3266 Bainbridge Avenue & East 208th Street

Owned by The Bronx County Historical Society, the house is a Through May, 2020 member of the Historic House Museum of Bronx History/Valentine Varian House Trust. Its operation is made possible in part by public funds th @ 3266 Bainbridge Avenue & East 208 Street provided through the New York (718) 881-8900 City Department of Cultural Museum hours: Saturdays 10AM - 4PM & Sundays 1PM - 5PM Affairs.

A Salute to Bronx History Fundraiser March 3, 2020 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Museum of Bronx Join us for a special evening of cocktails and dining at Arthur Avenue’s Zero Otto Museum of Bronx History/Valentine- Nove restaurant to raise money for The Society. The Bronx’s own Chef Roberto, History/Valentine- Varian House head chef at Zero Otto Nove, will be hosting the event. Varian House 3266 Bainbridge Avenue Your tax deductible $250 contribution will benefit The Bronx County Historical 3266 Bainbridge Avenue & East 208th Street & East 208th Street Society’s rich collection as well as the historic preservation, documentation, and

interpretation of The Bronx for future generations. Owned by The Bronx County Owned by The Bronx County Zero Otto Nove is located at 2357 Arthur Avenue, Bronx, NY 10458. Historical Society, the house is a Historical Society, the house is a member of the Historic House To purchase tickets, contact Kelly Jutsum at [email protected], member of the Historic House Trust. Its operation is made Trust. . or mail a check to The Bronx County Historical Society, possible in part by public funds

The Bronx Historian 3309 Bainbridge Avenue, Bronx, NY 10467. provided through the New York FEBRUARY 2019 – MAY 2019 City Department of Cultural Affairs.

PAGEF 4 4 of 4 Walking Tours Tours cost $10 for BCHS members, $20 for non-members. Call (718) 881-8900 to reserve your spot.

Arthur Avenue Walking Tour May 2, 2020 – 10AM Three major institutions in our country, (Fordham University, The New York Botanical Garden (NYBG), The Wildlife Conservation Society (The Bronx Zoo), and a vital community known as “Belmont” are located in the northeast sector of The Bronx. 3309 Bainbridge Avenue During the latter part of the 19th century, a large Italian immigration settled in the The Bronx, New York 10467 Phone: (718) 881-8900 Belmont area. Many of these immigrants who came mostly from southern Italy had Fax: (718) 881-4827 experience in the construction industry and they provided the manual labor upon www.bronxhistoricalsociety.org which the three institutions were built. At the height of the Italian population in the

FACILITIES: 1960s, there were an estimated 45,000 Italian-Americans that claimed Belmont as Research Library their home. On our walking tour of Belmont, we will discuss cultural and political 3309 Bainbridge Avenue effects on this vibrant and now diversified community and how the Italian influence By Appointment has maintained a strong presence over the past century. We will begin the tour at the th The Bronx County Archives corner of 187 St., and Hughes Ave. 3313 Bainbridge Avenue st By Appointment 161 Street Walking Tour Saturday, May 9, 2020 – 10AM - Noon Museum of Bronx History/ This tour is co-led by The BCHS & the Bronx Chapter of The American Institute of Valentine-Varian House Architects; prices are: $20/BCHS & AIA members, $30/non-members. 3266 Bainbridge Avenue and East 208th Street The Civic Center of The Bronx centering on the intersection of the Grand Concourse st Museum hours: and East 161 Street has a rare collection of buildings that reflect the cutting edge of Saturdays 10AM-4PM Sundays architectural styles in their era. These styles range from 1930s Art Deco, to 1960s

1PM-5PM Brutalism and beyond. They can be discovered in the area’s monumental public edifices and its elegant upscale apartment houses. Also in the neighborhood are Edgar Allan Poe Cottage Poe Park examples of changing taste in landscape architecture and adaptive reuse of older 2640 Grand Concourse and spaces. East Kingsbridge Road Directions: By subway: Number 4 or letter D to 161st Street

st Museum hours: By bus: BX1, BX1 LTD, or BX2 to Grand Concourse and East 161 Street Thursdays and Fridays By car: I 87 (Major Deegan Expressway) South to East 161st Street, Macombs Dam 10AM-3PM Bridge Exit. Turn left, turn right at 161st Street ramp, head straight ahead bearing Saturdays 10AM-4PM Sundays right to just past Sheridan Avenue and turn right at the Concourse Village shopping 1PM-5PM mall and its parking garage. Call The Society to arrange group tours during the week. What used to be there? Walking Tour Saturday, May 30, 2020 – 10AM ENDOWED FUNDS The Bronx County Historical This new tour led by BCHS Educator, Justin Mashia, takes you around The Hub to Society encourages the show you what old structures and businesses once stood. You’ll see the Bronx’s first establishment of named skyscraper, where the Third Avenue El ran, where movie theaters, department stores endowment funds. Funds may and a cemetery used to be. You’ve never been on a tour quite like this. The tour will be created to support Society meet outside of the 149th Street/3rd Avenue, 2 and 5 train station on the Roberto programs, or may be Clemente Plaza side. established for restricted use. The funds appear permanently on the financial records of The Follow our facebook page: Society in recognition of their https://www.facebook.com/bronxhistory1639/ ongoing support of its work. Instagram: @Bronxhistorian

For further details, contact: Twitter: @Bronxhistory Mr. Joel Podgor, CPA Website: http://bronxhistoricalsociety.org (718) 881-8900 keep up to date as more public programs will be

implemented as we head into SPRING!