E-Mail [email protected] Website Phone www.briarcliffhistory.org (914) 941-4393 Summer Newsletter 2015 2015 Summer Newsletter Map Collection: Report from Intern, Kasey Calnan As of July 2015, the Briarcliff Manor- categories. Although Scarborough Historical Society is one only a few maps are step closer to meeting the require- displayed on the walls ments to be eligible for an Absolute of the Briarcliff Manor- Charter. Due to the efforts of our Scarborough Historical intern, Kasey Calnan of Fishkill, the Society, all are avail- BMSHS map collection is now orga- able for public view- nized, accessible and easily search- ing and research. So, able within our PastPerfect museum if you have any ques- computer software. We also have tions that a map could Collection BMSHS Photo Photo BMSHS Collection BMSHS Photo 1867 Map of Kasey Calnan finder’s guides to help. Having up-to- answer about Briarcliff date entries of our collection entered Manor, or if you are Sing Sing Penitentiary layout into PastPerfect is one requirement necessary to receive an Ab- just curious and want to take a look, stop by the Center on the solute Charter and our newly organized map collection provides lower level of the library and let us show you the whole col- just that. An Absolute Charter is important because it will allow lection. Unfortunately for us, Kasey has just accepted a paying BMSHS to apply for grants, which has not been possible in the position at Boscobel, but we wish her the very best and thank past.The BMSHS map collection includes nearly 120 maps of her heartily for her good work for BMSHS. varying ages and subjects. Our maps vary in date from the late 1700s through today. There are street maps, property ownership maps, topographical maps and zoning maps, which cover the IN MEMORIAM village; and some even cover larger areas including Westchester County and the Hudson River Valley. Although thirteen maps Carmino Ravosa were either recently purchased or received as gifts to BMSHS, “Our Music Man the large majority of them were “found in collection.” FIC is an unfortunate, but common, designation, which means we don’t Extraordinaire” know when it came to us or who gave it to us. Using the BMSHS map collection one could easily trace the 1930-2015 history and expansion of Briarcliff Manor. The 1891 map iden- Carmino Ravosa tifies an area of land called Whitson’s Corners, which was the The Briarcliff Manor community lost another of its area that became Briarcliff Manor when Walter W. Law pur- finest members July 18, 2015. chased the land and incorporated it in 1902. Maps from the “Only the Best Is Good Enough for Briarcliff,” was early 1900s show property ownership and illustrate the large Carmino’s original song for the 2002 Centennial Variety and numerous portions of land designated as being owned by Show. It could be our Village Anthem. It is peppy, tells Walter W. Law aka Briarcliff Realty. Several maps show de- a good story and is joyful – all qualities of Carmino tails of the location of the historic Briarcliff Lodge. More cur- himself. He said of his accomplishments, and there were rent maps depict Briarcliff Manor as it is today, including street many, he was also very proud of getting the suffragette names and information about local businesses. A 1908 map Carrie Chapman Catt’s home, Juniper Ledge, added to outlines the route of the Briarcliff Road Race, while a 1989 the New York State and National Register of Historical blueprint collection shows the floor plans for Sleepy Hollow Places in 2004. We thank him! and we will miss him! Country Club. We will have no new songs, but how we will treasure What began as a map case packed with maps and miscellany the ones he gave us. is now an organized collection of maps separated into various 3 2015 Summer Newsletter Letter from the Briarcliff Manor-Scarborough Historical Society President Dear Members and Friends, tricians and contractors build the infrastructure necessary Hope you are enjoying your summer 2015! for the HVAC system through our premises. We are happy to present this newsletter to you, which in- In exchange, the Village agreed to build a substitute closet cludes a current report on our map collection; a memo- for us outside our center. In addition, the Village will be rial tribute to our dear, long-time member and Trustee, installing an air-conditioning and dehumidification sys- Carmino Ravosa; the backstory, newly researched and tem tailored for our space. It will add comfort and the updated by BMSHS on how Phelps Hospital came to be stable climate control will fulfill an Absolute Charter re- named; and a recap of our visit and interview with Kay quirement. Whitson (Whitson Road sound familiar, anyone?) Additionally, it is important to share with you that the Look for announcements of up-coming events we’re fi- BMSHS will have to contribute approximately $4,000 of nalizing now. Please save the date: Sunday, October 4 the total cost of the project as our share of the cost. We at 2PM at the Library for Dennis Corcoran’s presentation would appreciate any contributions above and beyond on Major John Andre – the notorious spy during the Revo- your membership that you would like to contribute to- lutionary War. Dennis will be in costume. wards this one-time expense. And now where the BMSHS stands today. We have 205 As you can easily understand, this is not an ideal time memberships so far for 2015. Yahoo!! Names are list- NOT to have a fund-raiser, but it couldn’t have been oth- ed on the following page. We LOVE seeing this many. erwise. Unfortunately we will not be holding our Annual What’s more, 40 of those memberships are NEW mem- Fall Harvest fund-raising dinner this year. People have berships. If there are any errors, please let me know; or asked for the date and have looked forward to it, but… if you have just forgotten to send in your renewal, please We will endeavor to have a somewhat smaller event, if do it now (see the last page for the information); because, possible. of course, we’d like more members. And spread the word However, it is our hope that when the Absolute Charter about all we do and offer. We look forward to entering a comes through we will have a huge celebration and give really BIG number when we report our membership tally an immense thank you to all you loyal supporters. Thank as part of the Absolute Charter package we’re preparing. you again for your continued support, participation and Some of you know this already, but our space in the Li- interest. And don’t forget to spread the good word about brary has been in the middle of the construction process BMSHS! for the community center. We’ve had to keep virtually everything under protective sheets while engineers, elec- Photo K. Smith Photo Photo K. Smith Photo Photo K. Smith Photo “2001: A Space Odyssey” transfer switch for Can THAT fit into this? WHEW! It weighed a ton and took our Community Center in the parking lot. Our former coat closet. a crane to get it to the lower level. 2 2015 Summer Newsletter 2015 BMSHS Membership List through July. If your name is on this list, you’re a current member. If your name isn’t on this list, we wish you were. The list includes 40 NEW memberships. Please add your name to the list. The membership information form is on the last sheet of the newsletter. Names in bold are new members. Benefactor Memberships Family Memberships Williams, Robert & Barbara Williams, Barbara W. Boe, Carl & Mimi Aisenbrey, Stuart & Bev Wolf, Morton & Penny Curran, John P. & Connie Austin, Keith & Joan Zegarelli, Philip E. & Barbara Seniors (2) Memberships Elkes, Steven & Mitzi Barkley, Byron & Deb Kotter Zielinski, Eric & Michele Barnes, William & Ani Gioscia, Michael F. & Clorissa Beebe, Tyler H. & Brooke Zirman, Bryan & Rori Bosak, Barry & Midge Nolan, Edward P. & Elaine Behling, George J. & Elaine Braun, Norman & Janet Payne, Edwin & Claire Beicke, Robert & Joan Senior (1) Membership Corfield, Peter & Gilian Quigley, Matthew & Blake, Virginia M. Alenstein, Mary R. Cryan, John & Maria Nina Bogosian Bloom, Bruce & Janice Gilroy Beck, Rosalyn Franco, Anthony A. & Edith Vastola, Eugene & Bogart, Christopher P. & Bergman, Ruth Grant, Alan & Michelle Anna Bogdanow Elizabeth O’Connell Bernstein, Barbara Grund, Victor & Joan Wagner, Lynn M. & Jan Bombassei, Jim & Casey Anne Bernstein, Nadia Herbek, Richard & Linda Cartenuto, David J. & Christina Blockley, Kaye Holmquist, Eric & Ragnhild Patron Memberships Chalsen, Christopher E. & Cerutti, Kathleen Jusko, Edward & Delores Banino, Charles & Amelia Georgine Chervokas, Roseanna Kotter, Bruce L. & Marie Caramanica, John & Cohen, Steven & Linda Chu, Frances Mendelsohn, Jim & Michele Lisa Czachor Cross, Kenneth R. & Comiskey, Thomas Morrison, George & Mirla Gartner, Gary J. & Deirdre Doreen Raymond Corcoran, Dennis Moylan, Patrick & Margaret Kane, David H. T. & Siegrun Curran, Morgan & Caroline Daly, Trudy A. Ravosa, Carmino & Claire McGinty, Gregory Francis & Feist, Arnold & Carine DiMase, Frances Sader, Raymond & Marion Joan Feist, Michael Epstein, ASA, FRICS, Ellen Satlin, Sheldon & Doris Nichols, Norman E. & Mary Forde, MD, Kenneth & Kareitha Florent, Mary Jane Shanahan, John & Monica Pedowitz, Lawrence & Halper, Stuart & Stacy Fogel, Natalie Williams, Gray & Marian Kathleen Hill, Douglas S. & Virginia Gentile, Charles Williams, Paul & Phyllis Johnson, Jr., William & Debra Golden, Meryl Sponsor Memberships Kail, Ken & Ivy Hwang Graham, Audrey Individual Memberships Bauer, Wilhelma M. & Rudolf Karp, Lawrence & Graves, Bruce C. Amicucci, Phyllis Buerger, Theodore V. & Helen Elizabeth Susman Haimowitz, Raphaelle Andrews, Patricia Citron, Gerald & Millicent Kostman, Stan & Horkans, Wilma Jean Austin, Sandra Code, Howard T. & Susan Barbara Cochran Isaac, Helene C.