HSRC Annual Report, 2022-23

Our Mission

The Historical Society of Rockland County is an educational organization dedicated to engaging diverse audiences in promoting and preserving the history of Rockland County. To fulfill its mission, the Society:

A. Collects, catalogues, preserves and exhibits artifacts and archival materials that reflect the diverse history of Rockland County and the Lower Hudson Valley.

B. Sponsors educational programs and publications based on sound scholarship to promote the appreciation of history and cultural heritage of the people of Rockland.

C. Promotes through programs, services and example the preservation, restoration, continuing and adaptive use of the historic buildings and sites in the County.

D. Develops and maintains the financial, professional and human

Annual Membership Meeting of The Historical Society of Rockland County

April 3, 2023 * 6:30 PM

Agenda

Call to Order & Pledge of Allegiance

President’s Annual Report

Review of Annual Report with Committee Reports

Report of Nominating Committee & Election of Trustees

Adjournment

THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF ROCKLAND COUNTY

20 Zukor Road, New City, NY 10956

(845) 634-9629

www.RocklandHistory.org

Board of Trustees

Veronica DeMeo Boesch, President; Andrew Glikin-Gusinsky, Esq., 1st Vice President; Stephen Beckerle, 2nd Vice President; Philip C. Roventini, CPA/PFS, Treasurer; Jennifer Rothschild, Secretary; Hon. Victor J. Alfieri Jr.; Anthony Benedict; Daniel Garcia; Joseph R. Holland III; Thom Kleiner; Jennifer Lorenzo; Janet Oravec; Lea Wolinetz

Staff

Susan Curry Deeks, Executive Director

Jennifer Brooks, Education Coordinator

Christine Kowalski, Museum Services Assistant

Robert Carroll, Caretaker

Marjorie Johnson, Editor, South of the Mountains

Marianne B. Leese, Senior Historian

We thank you for your continued support of your historical society!

In addition to contributions from members, friends and the business community, the Historical Society of Rockland County received funding in 2022–23 from the Office of the Rockland County Executive, Department of Economic Development and Tourism, the Town of Ramapo, and the Village of West Haverstraw.

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The Historical Society of Rockland County 2022 Annual Membership Meeting

April 4, 2022 * 7:00 PM

Minutes

Pledge of Allegiance: Ronnie Boesch led the pledge.

Minutes: The minutes from the 2021 Annual Meeting are published in the 2021–22 Annual Report, which was made available online.

President’s Report: President Ronnie Boesch opened the meeting at 7:06 P.M. Ronnie thanked Judge Alfred J. Weiner for his service as Board President and all Board members and volunteers. She spoke about the Historical Society and its events of the past two years during the pandemic. She thanked everyone who donated to the Annual Appeal. Her comments are published in the 2021–22 Annual Report.

Executive Director: Sue explained how the public can access the Annual Report online. She highlighted some of the information contained in the report, noting that a great deal was accomplished in 2021–22 notably, the restoration of the Three Sister Plant-aRow Garden fence by Jack Kowalski, Eagle Scout nominee.

Committee Reports

Bus Trips Committee: Two history hikes were led by Gordon Wren and Tony Benedict, and the Society hosted two history meetups. One bus trip to explore Dutch history in the Mohawk River Valley and New York Capital Region was held. Bus trips are expected to resume a full schedule in 2022–23.

Exhibitions Committee: The Suffrage Centennial exhibitions were left up in the History Center galleries for an additional season, and many people visited. The 2021 Holiday Exhibition

showcased Barbies and other fashion dolls and was very popular.

Collections Committee: Marianne Leese submitted a report. A number of interesting items were accessioned this year; they are listed in the Annual Report.

Membership Committee: There were 509 members in good standing at the end of the fiscal year, down from 519 the previous year. Susan Deeks acknowledged Marjorie Johnson, Editor, and Marianne Leese, Associate Editor, for their efforts to publish the South of the Mountains quarterly.

Financial Report: Income was down from the previous year; however, there were also substantial cost savings. Annual Appeal giving was very generous in 2021–22, and the Endowment Investment Fund saw strong growth.

Board of Trustees Elections: Ronnie called on Nominating Committee Chair Andrew Glikin-Gusinsky to report the slate of candidates for the Board of Trustees. The committee nominated Lea Wolinetz of Suffern to serve a three-year term (2022–25); incumbent Trustees Stephen Beckerle, Thom Kleiner, and Jennifer Lorenzo were also nominated to serve second terms on the Board. Motion by Andrew to approve the slate of nominees, seconded by Dan Garcia. There were no nominations from the floor. Motion by Andrew for the Secretary to cast one ballot for the slate; seconded by Dan. All approved. Asha Paulose and Richard Sena were thanked for their Board service.

Adjournment: Motion by Tony Benedict, seconded by Andrew Glikin-Gusinsky, to adjourn at 7:21 P.M.

Respectfully submitted, Jennifer

Rothschild, Secretary

President’s Report

The history of the early years of the United States is the history of early Rockland. The names we learned in school can be found all around us here today: George Washington, Anthony Wayne, John Suffern, the Marquise de Lafayette, Johannes DeWint, and even the name Hudson pervades our everyday lives.

This is one of the reasons the Historical Society of Rockland County has drawn members since we were granted a charter by the New York State Board of Regents on September 2, 1965. We are the repository of all things Rockland.

As a history teacher in Rockland County for thirty years, I have long appreciated the efforts of those who have worked to preserve our local history, both in their writings and in their determination to stop the demolition of historic buildings. Our Historical Society hosts the Rockland County Executive’s Historic Preservation Merit Awards to encourage county businesses and homeowners to respect the infrastructure of our past and show that it is still a viable alternative for our communities today. As a museum, our exhibits highlight the people and events that have made their mark on our history.

During the 2022 Columbus Day weekend, I had the privilege of attending the dedication of Helen Hayes’s former home in Nyack as Rockland’s first Literary Landmark. We hope there will be more designations to come. The Literary Landmark designation is a program of United for Libraries, a division of the American Library Association. Two of the main speakers were Rocco Staino, director of the Empire State Center for the Book, and our own executive director, Susan Curry Deeks. It was a special designation since Miss Hayes’s husband, Charles MacArthur, was a journalist and Broadway playwright, as well as a Hollywood

screenwriter. The afternoon included meeting Miss Hayes’s former daughter-in-law Joyce Bulifant and the Hayes–MacArthur grandchildren. Everyone was gracious, and the lovely weather contributed to the enjoyment of the home’s grounds.

This year we hope to resume our Annual Dinner and Preservation Awards. The Annual Dinner is our major fundraiser of each year. Due to the difficulty of planning a celebration during the past three years, we have not been able to count on the dinner for fundraising.

The silver lining this past year is the wonderful response we received during our Annual Appeal. Our appreciation of the generosity of our members cannot be overstated. Once again, thank you for helping us carry on our mission.

Respectfully submitted,

Veronica DeMeo Boesch President, Board of Trustees

Reports from the Committees

BUILDINGS & GROUNDS

The 2022–23 committee consisted of Stephen Beckerle and Gordon Wren (co-chairs), Richard Anderson, Daniel Garcia, Art Gunther, and Veronica Boesch.

In mid-summer, the HSRC contracted with Frank Tucek & Son to replace a large section of fascia and soffit that had separated from the northwestern corner of the Jacob Blauvelt House roof. Some of the deteriorated woodwork was being held in place by an overgrown holly tree; the remainder had collapsed to the ground. Our thanks to the Tucek company for the timely repair and for continuing to inspect and maintain the roof they installed on the historic house in the late 1990s.

Caretaker Bob Carroll continues to tend the ornamental garden; clean the interior of the History Center, Blauvelt House, and Barn-Carriage House complex; and clear walkways and driveways after snowstorms.

Respectfully Submitted, Gordon Wren and Stephen Beckerle, Chairs

BUS TRIPS

The 2022–23 committee consisted of Anthony Benedict, Veronica and Bob Boesch, Andrew Glikin-Gusinsky, Jennifer Rothschild, and Gordon Wren. The committee enjoyed formulating and carrying out six events in the 2022–23 fiscal year as the Society emerged from COVID-19 restrictions. There were three bus trips, two Walks through History, and one Hike through History, with a total of 125 participants.

The six events in 2022–23 were:

 Bus Daytrip to Lyndhurst: A Tarrytown Gilded Age Mansion, Sept. 20

 Bus Daytrip: Hudson River Maritime Museum, Kingston,

and Lunchtime Cruise on the Rip Van Winkle II, Oct. 12

 Walk through History: Rockland Cemetery with Joe Barbieri, New City Library, Sparkill, Oct. 19

 Walk through History: Oak Hill Cemetery with Jennifer Rothschild, Nyack, Nov. 6

 Bus Daytrip: Museum of the American Revolution, Philadelphia, Nov. 10

 Mystery Hike through History: Harriman State Park Cemetery, March 25

All of these events promote the HSRC as an organization and fulfill our local history mission. They raise funds to support that mission, build friendships and goodwill, and increase membership. We generally offer discounts for members on fee-based programs.

The events are spread out fairly evenly throughout the year, giving the HSRC visibility in advertising and community discussion. These events also keep us involved with other nonprofit organizations and businesses throughout the county and region.

Respectfully Submitted,

Susan Deeks, Executive Director

COLLECTIONS & LIBRARY

Serving on the 2022–23 Collections Committee were Andrew Glikin-Gusinsky, Jennifer Rothschild, Jennifer Lorenzo, Marianne Leese (Chair), Richard Sena, Winston Perry, and Clare Sheridan.

Dianne Macpherson, a retired archivist, has been volunteering on Thursdays in the HSRC research library for more than a year. With her experience as an archivist, she is knowledgeable in the proper handling of artifacts and the process of accessioning them into the permanent collections.

Frank Eberling Mail Wagon

Last fall, the Board of Trustees approved restoring the Frank Eberling Mail Wagon (ca. 1904). Lacking wheels, it currently sits on the floor in the east wing of the Blauvelt House barn. Besides wheels and springs, it needs a good cleaning, the canvas roof restored, interior furnishings restored, and the paint restored to its vibrant red, chrome yellow, white, and black. Frank Eberling (1886–1948) of New City used the wagon to deliver mail to the residents of the New City postal district. He went through several mail wagons this one was his first before switching to delivering mail by automobile in 1917. He served as the New City mail carrier for thirty years, retiring in 1934. The Journal-News at the time printed a lengthy article stating that he never lost a day of pay, and not once did the mail not get delivered. The article went on to detail his experiences as a mail carrier.

The Historical Society has arranged to have conservator Tad Fallon of Fallon and Wilkinson, LLC (Baltic, CT) provide a full assessment of the mail wagon, the cost of the restoration, and a

timeline for restoration. He has made an initial assessment and by summer will provide a final report.

The family is anxious to see the mail wagon restored and willing to help with fundraising and publicity. Grandsons Ray and Frank Eberling have been working closely with the HSRC on the project. Frank Eberling is a professional videographer, who will be documenting the progress made on the mail wagon. In addition, they have a thorough knowledge of their family’s history, beginning with the emigration of the Eberlings from Germany to the Hudson Valley in the mid-1800s and the establishment of their shoe factory in New City.

Accepted by the Board of Trustees into the Collections

 Book, HighTor, 1936, by Maxwell Anderson. Gift of Donald Schmoll, New City. Autographed copy inscribed by the author to Gus Welty, handyman for Elmer Van Houten, who lived on South Mountain Road, New City, as did Anderson. The main character in High Tor, Van Van Dorn, is based on the life of Elmer Van Houten.

 C. E. Erickson Milk Crate, with 30 Half-Pint Milk Bottles. Gift of Zev Orser, Monsey. C. E. “Pete” Erickson (1902–93) and his wife, Olga (1902–94), were the third and last generation of the family to own and operate Woodside Dairy, Brick Church Road, Spring Valley (New Hempstead).

 Business Letterhead, Erickson Automotive, Monsey. Gift of Zev Orser, Monsey. More familiarly known as Erickson Olds, the dealership was owned and operated by Eugene Erickson, son of Pete and Olga Erickson.

 Business Letterhead, Spring Valley Airpark, Inc. Gift of Zev Orser, Monsey. Spring Valley Airpark was the last airport to exist in Rockland. C. E. Erickson was a partner with William “Bill” Bohlke and Theodore “Ted” Klink. Opening in 1947, the airport was sold in 1960, when it went by the name Ramapo Valley Airport, and closed in 1985.

 Postcard, Tomkins Cove Post Office. Gift of Nancy Casey.

 Photograph, Charles R. Lewis Post 8997 of the VFW. Gift of Nancy Casey. 8’’ × 10’’, Route 9W, Tomkins Cove.

 Photograph, Snapshot of Jim Farley (US Postmaster General under FDR), playing baseball at age 22 in his native Grassy Point, summer 1910. Gift of Nancy Casey.

 Letter, June 16, 1948, from P. J. Lenahan of Brooklyn to Joe, accompanying snapshot of Farley. Gift of Nancy Casey.

 Program, CelebrationoftheOpening of New Lowland Bridge and TomkinsCove–WestHaverstrawConcrete Road[Route9W],StonyPoint, September 23, 1922, containing the history of the bridge and list of speakers. Gift of Nancy Casey.

 Program, Testimonial Dinner to Hon. Maurice F. Maloney,Postmaster,onOccasionofthe“Layingofthe Coner[sic]StoneoftheHaverstrawPostOffice.”Gift of Nancy Casey. Elks Club, Haverstraw, 1935, autographed to Joe by US Postmaster General James A. Farley.

 Timetable booklet, New York Central RR Co., River Div.,No.14,WestShoreRailroad,WeehawkentoAlbany,Sept.25,1921. Gift of Nancy Casey. Includes Rockland.

 Ribbon Pin, Cheyenne Tribe, No. 223, Improved Order of Red Men, Stony Point. Gift of Nancy Casey. The Improved Order of Red Men was a fraternal organization established in North America in 1834. There were at least seven “tribes” of Red Men in Rockland County: Stony Point (Cheyenne), Haverstraw (Minisceongo), Congers (Kakiat), Nyack (Cohoto and Nyack), Suffern (Ramapo), and Spring Valley (Tappan). Today a few exist in upper New York State; none exist in Rockland County.

 Group photograph, 50th Anniversary, Cheyenne Tribe 223, Oct. 10, 1942, at Cedar Rest. Gift of Nancy Casey. 8” × 10”.

 Early Land Indentures. Gifts of Rockland Community

College Library: (1) 1785, between Daniel De Clark and Jacobus De Clark, Precinct of Haverstraw, County of Orange, 96 Acres; (2) 1799, between Johannes Polhamus, with consent of his wife, Mary, and Aurt Polhamus, Town of Clarkstown, 41 Acres; (3) 1800, between Aurt Ramsen, with Consent of His Wife, Kate, and Aurt Polhamus, Town of Clarkstown, 14 Acres.

 Artworks by William Stanley Wyatt. William Stanley Wyatt, familiarly known as Stan Wyatt, lived in Grand View with his wife, Alice, and taught art at Columbia University and Rockland Community College. In the late 1940s, the couple lived at Shanks Village, where Stan illustrated for the newsletter The Shanks Villager. Several of his cartoons were reprinted in Scott Webber's Camp Shanks and Shanks Village, an HSRC publication. Gifts of Greg and Fay Wyatt, New York, NY.

 Abstract painting, possibly Piermont, gouache on cardboard

 Abstract painting, gouache on cardboard.

 125thStreetEl,block print.

 AngelwithHorn , block print.

 TheOldManandtheSea , block print..

 Sebastiano Del Piombo, block print.

 Lobster,TurkeyandaWomanataButterChurn , block print.

 Sam and Alice Wyatt Christmas card, 1988, photograph of pencil sketch by William Stanley Wyatt.

 Humerusmagazines , Vol. II, No. 2, 1990, and Vol. IV, No. 1, 1992. Issues of locally produced satirical magazine, much of it illustrated by Wyatt, who was publisher and editor-in-chief.

 Frank M. Eckerson Sr. (1881–1965) Collection, containing

family photographs, tintypes, fraternal order ribbons, eyeglasses, certificates, programs, a few letters and cards, a metal Social Security card, various badges, including those for volunteer fireman and Spring Valley Village Clerk, large framed photograph of Mr. Eckerson in his fireman’s uniform, ca. 1925. Gift of Robert J. Eckerson, great-grandson, Chester, NY. Frank Eckerson served as clerk of the Village of Spring Valley from 1932 until his retirement in 1953 at age 72. He was well-known as a blacksmith, which he took up full time upon retirement. He and his wife, Dorothy “Dora” Eckerson, lived above the blacksmith shop on Franklin Street throughout their married lives. Following his death, the HSRC acquired the contents of the blacksmith shop (housed in the Carriage House), business cards and blacksmith shop sign.

 Color postcard of Hotel Bader, Spring Valley, never mailed. Gift of Alvin Schaut, Plainfield, WI. The Evergreen Court, which burned last year and in which a resident and a fire fighter died, had been part of the Bader resort complex.

 Pamphlet by Eleazar Lord Defending Decision that Piermont Be the Eastern Terminus of the New-York and Erie Rail Road, ca. 1835. Gift of Marjorie H. Johnson, Worthington, MA. It includes a letter from Winthrop Gilman of Palisades and, in the same handwriting, a paper cover saying the pamphlet was received from Edward F. Pierson of Ramapo. Pierson was a nephew of Eleazar Lord of Piermont, the Erie’s first president.

 Book, Harper'sNew-York and Erie Rail Road Guide , 1855 edition, with fold-out map. Gift of Susan Deeks, Greenwood Lake, NY.

 Photograph, Spring Valley High School Class, 1929, framed, 11” × 23”. Gift of Barbara Elco, Narrowsburg, NY, and her siblings Donald P. Frederick and Carolyn F. Hauber. Taken on a class trip to Washington, DC, in front of the Smithsonian, the photograph includes Leroy (Lee) C.

Frederick, father of the donors; Mildred (Toots) Durie, later Vranisky, former HSRC member and volunteer, who helped to identify everyone, including nicknames; and Leland (Pussyfoot) Rickard Meyer, high school principal and former active volunteer and member of HSRC.

Further Additions to the Permanent Collections

The following were found unprocessed. No object number was found on them. No paperwork was found as to who the donor was.

 Bound Copies of Carworth Farms Quarterly Letters, New City, and four accompanying booklets about research on laboratory Animals.

 Photograph, Centenary rock quarry, Congers.

 Photograph, Haverstraw waterfront, ca. 1904.

 Photograph, J. F. Green & Bros. Hardware Store, ca. 1860–77.

 Two photographs, J. Eberling Shoe Factory, New City: one of factory; the other of group standing in front of the factory.

 Three photographs, Rockland Light & Power Co., foot of Gedney Street, Nyack: (1) gas plant and holder; (2) interior View; and (3) storage tanks.

 Photograph, unidentified men and boys watching earth removal on vacant lot, Nyack.

 Photograph, paper mill and pier, Piermont, 1909.

 Photograph, Beckerle Lumber & Supply Co., Spring Valley, Route 59, ca. 1940.

 Photograph, W. Spencer Forshay Cigar Co., Monsey (now Wesley Hills).

 Photograph, ruins of Old Dunderberg Spiral Railway Office, Jones Point.

 Postcard, The Old Mill, West Nyack.

 Photograph, Hook Mountain quarrying operation, Upper Nyack, about 1890.

 Shipping Crate, metal egg crate for mailing two dozen eggs.

 Five postcards, Nyack Hospital, mailed 1905–28.

 Eight photographs, 1903 flood in Hillburn and Sterlington.

 Color steel engraving, Sparkill schoolhouse, Rockland Road.

 Typewritten manuscript, 22 pages, “History of Old Cemetery in Upper Nyack,” ca. 1931, and letter from George H. Budke to Mrs. Sayres. The speech was given by Mr. Budke at the commemoration of Major Smith’s grave by the DAR. Gift possibly of Jerome Johnson, Esq.

 Photograph, elderly Dr. Lucy Virginia Meriweather (1862–1949), seated with a spaniel dog.

 Receipt to Dr. V. W. Davis [Davies], dated Sept. 9, 1895 for freight charges from Jersey City to Congers, West Shore Railroad, for two cases wine, 80 cents total. On back in pencil is handwritten on one end “corn” and “straw” with numbers following, and on other end “Jan. 96, 38 bushels rye, 41 sold, 57 in all, half mine.”

 Twenty-nine photographs by Elizabeth Rose for HSRC exhibition catalog Pascha: The Traditions of Easter in Rockland County, 1984.

 Black-ink caricature, unidentified gentleman in profile, ca. 1930, with a jaunty air. Difficult to make out the artist’s signature.

 Program, First Annual Banquet, Hotel Astor, May 10, 1913, The Rockland County Society of the State of New York. Speakers: F. R. Wood, President; Judge A. S. Tompkins; Hon. Calvin Tomkins; John C. Heyn, Historian; Hon. David M. Neuberger; Hon. John S. Bell; Hon. Otis H. Cutler. The Rockland County Society was founded in 1912 and was a predecessor to HSRC.

 Medical certificate signed by Albert S. Zabriski, MD, of Suffern, Medical Examiner in Lunacy, July 21, 1891. Dr. Zabriski certifies that he examined Mrs. William Sisco of Hillburn and she is insane. Certificate includes description of Mrs. Sisco and describes her behavior: “She acts silly indulges in singing songs in public rather indecent & obscene in her songs and expressions leaves her home frequently and wanders about Also from the testimony of numerous neighbors there can be no doubt that her mind is not right and that she is insane.”

Continued on page 20

FINANCE

N.B. The Finance Committee reports are current as of March 24, 2023. They are not audited financial statements; nor do they include income or expenses received in the final week of the fiscal year. As such, they are preliminary and subject to change.

FY Income was 318,877 versus a plan of $277,104. This favorable outcome was due to receipt of CARES Act Employee Retention Credit refunds, as well as higher than projected Annual Appeal donations, admissions fees, tuition fees, and research revenue.

FY Expenses were $280,858 versus a plan of $277,104. This unfavorable outcome was due to emergency maintenance/repair costs and increased costs of services due to unexpectedly high post-COVID-19 inflation.

ENDOWMENT

N.B. The Endowment Report is based on the calendar year (January 1–December 31, 2022). All other reports are based on the fiscal year (April 1, 2021–March 31, 2022).

The Endowment Fund opened the calendar year at $3,554,434.00, and closed at $2,891,404.00, for a negative net change in portfolio value of $663,030.00.

As of December 31, 2022, the portfolio consisted of 30% fixed income securities, 5% cash and cash equivalents, and 65% equities.

It is managed by The Mahoney Group, with Raymond James as custodian.

Respectfully submitted,

Philip C. Roventini, Treasurer

 Model of a Hudson River sloop with cloth sails, 48” long × 9” wide × 43” high, on stand.

 Model of a Hudson River sloop, no sails, 22” long × 5” wide × 23” high.

Transferred: The following archival materials have been transferred to the Nyack Library’s History Room. They were found in the HSRC research library with no paperwork associated with them to indicate provenance and were never formally entered into the collections.

 Paperback promotional book, Nyack Military Academy, Nyack, 1902.

 Program, Third Annual Musicale, Hudson River Military Academy, April 3, 1903.

 Program, Concert to Benefit the Nyack Library by Country Club, July 12, 1906.

Additions to the Research Library

 CD,AConversationwithMurielFox:NOW, January 30, 2006. Gift of Sydney Ratnow. Muriel Fox is a founder of the National Organization of Women, established in 1966.

 CD, Lost in the Stars: Maxwell Anderson Centennial, 1988. Gift of Daniel Patiris. Working copy of video produced by Richard Connolly for 100th anniversary of the playwright Maxwell Anderson’s birthday.

 CD, ShareListenLearn:StoriesfromRocklandCounty. Gift of the New City Library. Interviews with 26 Rocklanders.

 Civil War Records. Gift of William Doherty, West Haverstraw. Copies of pension and military records of a random selection of soldiers (about 60) from the 6th New York Heavy Artillery and the 17th, 65th, 95th, 127th New York Infantry.

 Gibbons-Moxley Family Tree and Photographs. Gift of Jacqueline Berlengi, River Vale, NJ, in memory of her mother, Helen Rose Schneider. Includes four enlarged photographs mounted on foam core of the Gibbons Moxley property on the northwest corner of North Little Tor Road and South Mountain Road, New City; a USB flash drive containing the

Gibbons family tree and many photographs; and a printout of the Gibbons family tree from ancestory.com.

 Two binders, Rockland Coalition for Peace and Justice. Gift of Ellen S. Mitchell, Chestnut Ridge. The binders include a brief history of the Coalition (2002–2011) and leaflets kept by the donor’s husband, David Mitchel (2002-2009).

 Book, TheOldenDays:MyMother’sFamilyHistory: 1570–1997, by Beverly Schultz Csordas. Gift of Beverly Schultz Csordas, Kailua, Hawaii (daughter of Theodore F. and Margaret [Concklin] Schultz). The book is filled with information and history of the Concklin family of South Mountain Road, Pomona, and includes a transcription of an interview with Margaret Concklin Schultz about growing up on the farm that is now the Orchards of Concklin.

Respectfully submitted, Marianne B. Leese, Chair and Senior Historian

EXHIBITIONS

In April, we opened the History Center to the public with the new exhibition

“Uniquely Rockland: Important, Iconic & Oddball Objects from the HSRC Collection.”

The exhibition highlights objects from the Society’s collection that tell a story about a person or group of people, place, or thing that existed (and may still exist) in Rockland County. Some of these stories are important in ways that reach well beyond Rockland, touching national and even world history. Some are iconic to our unique corner of the universe. And some are just so odd or unusual we wanted to share them.

The text panels in the exhibition are based on the essay “A Brief History of Rockland,” by Thomas F. X. Casey, past County Historian and HSRC President. The exhibition was curated by

Preserved top of Emily Hasbrouck and Clinton Gurnee’s wedding cake, Haverstraw, 1875

Senior Historian Marianne Leese and HSRC staff (Bob Carroll, Christine Kowalski, Susan Deeks) and underwritten in part by the Office of the Rockland County Executive, Department of Economic Development & Tourism. “Uniquely Rockland” will remain on exhibit through the end of October 2023. Also in April we reopened the semipermanent “Rockland Voices” exhibition, which illustrates the county’s rich history by highlighting key objects from the HSRC collection, with the special display “Mariel Farlow—Being of Light,” curated by Clare Sheridan.

One of the most controversial public sculptures in Rockland, Being of Light was installed on the grounds of the Rockland County Courthouse in New City in 1980. The effort was the culmination of months of preparation, proposals, designs, fabrication, creativity, hard work, and a bit of serendipity.

The special display brings to the fore the artist’s work and, as important, her intention for this important sculpture.

Respectfully Submitted,

Susan Deeks, Executive Director

Practice gloves the German boxer Max Schmeling, heavyweight champion in 1930 and 1932, used while training at Gus Wilson’s Training Camp in Orangeburg.

MEMBERSHIP

There are currently 502 active members, which represents a 1% decrease from last year:

Our effort to increase membership in 2022-23 included:

 Continuing solicitation to social media followers to become active, paid members.

 Sending gratis issues of South of the Mountains to lapsed members with their renewal notices.

 Offering memberships in all event and program journals.

South of the Mountains continues to be the most popular tangible benefit; discounts on trip and event fees are also a welcome membership benefit. We thank Marjorie Johnson and Marianne Leese for editing the journal and the contributing authors for making the publication unique in our region. We also thank Christine Kowalski for tracking memberships and all volunteers–notably, Ronnie and Bob Boesch and Jack Kowalski who helped with envelope stuffing in the course of the year.

Respectfully submitted, Clare B. Sheridan, Chair

NOMINATING

The Nominating Committee offers the names of the following Historical Society members:

Trustees nominated for a three-year term (Term 2026):

• Anthony Benedict, Airmont (2nd term)

• Veronica DeMeo Boesch, Airmont (2nd term)

• Sue Ferreri, New City

Sue Ferreri is the executive director of the Rockland Farm Alliance and an advocate for farm and educational programming. She studied business management at Millersville University and community development and viticulture at Stellenbosch University in South Africa. Sue served on RFA’s board during 2021 and offers experience in management and operations at Equinox, Lululemon and Abercrombie & Fitch.

• Elijah Reichlin-Melnick, Nyack

Elijah Reichlin-Melnick was elected to a two-year term (2020–22) representing most of Rockland County in the New York State Senate. A graduate of Nyack High School, he received his bachelor’s degree in history and government from Cornell University and a master’s degree in city and regional planning from Rutgers. He began his career as an elementary school teacher and served in various local government and nonprofit roles before embarking on his political career.

• Alfred J. Weiner, Wesley Hills

Judge Alfred J. Weiner (Ret.) was a justice of the New York State Supreme Court, 9th Judicial District, and served for more than forty years on the bench. He also served as judge of the Surrogate’s Court of Rockland County, judge of the Family Court of Rockland County, supervising judge of the Family Courts in the 9th Judicial

District, and town justice of the Town of Ramapo. He is a founder of Big Brothers/Big Sisters in Rockland County and past president of the Rockland Psychiatric Center Foundation, Rockland Jewish Family Service, and the HSRC. He lives in Wesley Hills.

Trustee nominated to fill unexpired term (Term 2025):

• Doris-Renee Weiner, Wesley Hills

Doris-Renee Weiner graduated from New York State College for Teachers in Albany and began teaching in Camillus, New York. She holds a master’s degree in gifted education from the College of New Rochelle and taught for many years at Spring Valley High School. She has served on the boards of the Rockland County Jewish Community Center, Rockland County Jewish Family Service, National Women’s Division of Israel Bonds, and Town of Ramapo Parks and Recreation. She lives in Wesley Hills.

Trustees continuing in office:

Term 2024

• Judge Victor Alfieri, Congers

• Andrew Glikin-Gusinsky

• Janet Oravec

• Jennifer Rothschild

Term 2025

• Stephen Beckerle, Stony Point

• Thom Kleiner, Sparkill

• Jennifer Lorenzo, Stony Point

• Lea Wolinetz, Suffern

Our gratitude to Daniel J. Garcia of Congers, Joseph Holland III of New City, and Philip C. Roventini for their Board service.

Respectfully submitted,

Andrew Glikin-Gusinsky, Chair

2022–23 Programs and Special Events

Wednesday, April 13, 2022

HistoryLuncheon

The Legacy of A. P. Smith

The annual History Luncheon, held at the Ramsey Country Club, is cosponsored by the Historical Society of Rockland County and Northwest Bergen History Coalition. At the 2022 luncheon, Arnold Brown, who has been exploring African American history of Bergen County for many years, focused on A. P. Smith, the African American publisher of The Landscape. Smith wrote and printed the four-page monthly in his home at the corner of East Allendale and Chestnut Ridge roads in Saddle River. He wrote in later years that when he started his little paper in 1881, it was “the only newspaper in Bergen County north of Hackensack.” Smith also claimed to be descended from the same family in Rockland County as the noted abolitionist Garret Smith.

Sunday, September 18, 2022

SeptemberFest at the HSRC

FeaturingGunsattheGateway!

This special day, filled with family fun and local history on the beautiful grounds of the Historical Society of Rockland County, featured living-history actors Sean Grady and Gary Petagine of Historical Drama performing their latest play, Guns at the Gateway! to mark the 242nd anniversary of the Benedict Arnold-John André Affair. Additional activities included lawn games, scavenger hunts, eighteenth-century-inspired arts and crafts, tours of the

historic Jacob Blauvelt House, and local cider and donuts courtesy of Dr. Davies Farm and the Orchards of Concklin.

Saturday, October 8, 2022

MarkerDedication

Pretty Penny Literary Landmark

This event included the dedication of a special marker designating Pretty Penny as a Literary Landmark. Special guests, including Joyce Bulifant and the families of Helen Hayes and Charles Mac-

Arthur, shared fond memories of this beautiful Nyack home. The marker was dedicated, followed by a champagne reception. Literary Landmarks is a program of United for Libraries, a Division of the American Library Association.

Sunday, October 16, 2022

9th Annual Fall Festival

WithHeritageofWestNyackand theTownofClarkstown

In celebration of Rockland History

Month in October and to continue our focus on collaboration and preservation, the HSRC teamed up with Heritage of West Nyack and the Town of Clarkstown again for the annual Fall Festival. The one-day event was held at Germonds Park in West Nyack to raise awareness of ongoing efforts to preserve the historic Vanderbilt Budke and Traphagen farmhouses, now owned by the Town of Clarkstown and under preservation.

Saturday–Sunday, December 3–4, 2021 St.NicholasDayFestival

Each year since 1961, the HSRC has welcomed children of all ages to celebrate St. Nicholas Day. This traditional program is a highlight of the holiday season, and many adults who enjoyed the event as children now bring their own famlies. This year, 76 children accompanied by 91 parents, grandparents, and other adults enjoyed the

eight St. Nicholas Day performances, with an additional 10 children enjoying special COVID-safe St. Nicholas Day takeaway boxes. Special thank go to Richard Anderson (St. Nicholas), Jennifer Brooks (storyteller), Christine Kowalski, Kay Levinson, Jennifer Lorenzo, Jennifer Rothschild, Robin Wren, and other volunteers who helped our guests learn about early Dutch holiday traditions; visit with St. Nicholas; enjoy spiced cider and ginger cookies by the open hearth; and discover holiday treats left in the children’s shoes.

Sunday evenings, December 18, 2022, and January 8 & 15, 2023

Candlelight Tours oftheJacobBlauveltHouse

Eight-five adults and children joined us this holiday season for special Candlelight Tours of the decorated Jacob Blauvelt House, experiencing Dutch American holiday traditions of the 1830s. Although inclement weather forced us to cancel the tours scheduled for December 11, two tours were held each evening on the Sundays of December 18, January 8 and January 15. We thank Jacquelyn Drechsler and Kaelin Anders for providing nineteenth-century flute music for the tours. Candlelight Tours require a great deal of volunteer support. Special thanks in 2022 are due to Richard Anderson, Ronnie and Bob Boesch, Janet Oravec, Thom Kleiner, and Jennifer Rothschild.

Thursday, December 15, 2022

ZoomLecture&Hands-onCraftWorkshop

Dutch Holiday Traditions: A History of the Season in the Hudson Valley

In this virtual program, the HSRC’s Jennifer Brooks traced the line between the traditions of early Dutch settlers in Rockland County and surrounding areas to the growth of our modern American Christmas. Where did our holiday traditions come from? Who is Saint Nicholas, and how did he become Santa Claus? Why is the December season known for gift-giving and charity? What’s with the tree and the chimney? And what does any of this have to do with religion?

On Thursday evening, workshop participants stepped back in time with us to conduct hands-on exploration of the history behind Dutch holiday traditions. The workshop covered this fascinating history while sharing Dutch recipes and engaging the participants with a festive craft for to take home for the holidays.

Thursday, February 23, 2023

SpecialLecture

Confessions of a Hayseed DA, with Kathleen Meehan Do obert R. Meehan served as the District Attorney of Rockland County from 1965 to 1974 and went on to become a Rockland County and New York State Supreme Court Judge until he retired in 2000. He chronicled aspects of his career in a manuscript that was edited by Kathleen Do, his daughter, and published in 2022 as Confessions of a Hayseed DA. Ms. Do recounted her experiences locating the manuscript, editing the text, researching cases her father cited, and interviewing some of the key players whose names appear in the book’s pages.

Outreach

HSRC in Print SouthoftheMountains

The history quarterly South of the Mountains is the flagship publication of the HSRC and a tangible benefit of membership in the Society. Highlights from 2022–23 issues include “Introduction to Grace Sayres,” by Nyack Village Historian Myra Starr; “Grade Adele Morris Sayres: Saturday’s Child,” by Carol Weiss; “Who Was Alice Beal Parsons?” by Marjorie Johnson; and “The Garden Fence,” a report on a much needed and beautifully executed Eagle Scout project at the HSRC.

South of the Mountains, a winner of the Greater Hudson Heritage Network Award for Excellence, is published in four issue per year, thanks to editor Marjorie H. Johnson, consulting editor Marianne Leese, and our many contributors.

HSRC on the Radio Crossroads of Rockland History

Our monthly radio program broadcast on WRCR 1700 AM and streaming on www.WRCR.com entered its eleventh year in 2022–“Crossroads” featured the following programs:

April 2022: “The Life and Artistic Legacy of Sidney Simon,” with Teru Simon and Mark Simon

May 2022: “Confessions of a Hayseed DA,” with Kathleen

 June 2022: “Millia Davenport, Theatrical Trailblazer,” with SUNY Professor David Bisaha

 July 2022: “The Orangetown Memory Project at the Orangetown Historical Museum & Archives,” with Mary Cardenas, Elizabeth Skrabonja, and Stefanie D’Erasmo

 August 2022: “Storytellers from Nyack at the Historical Society of the Nyacks,” with Mimi Hoffman, and “Uniquely Rockland at the HSRC,” with Susan Deeks

 September 2022: “Memories of Burgess Meredith,” with Jonathan Meredith

 October 2022: “Haunted History: Lavender” and “Linda Zimmerman Reprise”

 November 2022: “Edward Hopper’s Boyhood,” with Hopper House Executive Director Kathie Bennewitz

 December 2022: “Dutch Holiday Traditions,” with HSRC Educator Jennifer Brooks

 January 2023: “Personal Recollections of Pearl River,” with Pearl River Local History Librarian James Cassetta

 February 2023: “Black History Month: Clare Sheridan Revisits Her 2011 Crossroads Interview with Dr. Travis Jackson”

 March 2023: “From California Perfume to Avon: Suffern’s Premier Company,” with Rockland Historian Craig Long

To date, 146 programs and excerpts are available for download or for Podcast listening. The New York History Blog continues to pick up “Crossroads” and share it with the larger New York State History Community through their platform.

In addition to providing links under the “Podcasts” tab on the RocklandHistory.org website, we are pleased to announce that our archived podcasts continue to be available on all of the major podcast platforms, including Apple, Google, Stitcher, and Spotify.

HSRC on the Internet Website and Social Media

From April 2023 to March 2023, 16,801 individuals visited the HSRC website at least once (up from 16,443 in 2021–22). Some 87% of them were first-time visitors to the website, and they looked at 44,312 pages, for an average of 1.75 pages viewed per user per session. The majority (94%) lived in the United States and accessed the website via some form of broadband or satellite connection.

The number of people who “Like” or “Follow” the HSRC’s Facebook page grew again this year, from 4,887 on April 1, 2022, to 5,447 on March 31, 2023. Most of our Facebook friends live in Rockland, with the remainder in the New York metropolitan area and a few out of state and overseas.

The HSRC continued to email the “Flashback Friday” feature to members each week. The column, compiled by volunteer Clare Sheridan, curates items of local history significance that were originally published in Rockland County

newspapers between 150 and 50 years ago. Each column is also archived on the RocklandHistory.org website, under the “Research” tab. These consistent periodic publications allow the HSRC to leverage social media to engage new audiences. Social media platforms on which we are participating include Instagram, Facebook, SoundCloud, Tumblr, and Twitter. Our presence on these sites, where we share the history of Rockland County with images, text, and video, has continued to increase. Using the insights and metrics from social media our goal is to convert these casual users into active, paid members and supporters of the society.

In addition, the HSRC’s online media including the “Crossroads of Rockland History” radio podcast continues to be available through the New York Heritage portal (https://nyheritage.org), a move that brings even more history enthusiasts to our digitized collections.

https://nyheritage.org/organizations/historical-society-rockland-county

THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF ROCKLAND COUNTY

Please consider becoming a member of the Historical Society of Rockland County!

Beyond the sheer knowledge that you are helping to preserve Rockland County’s legacy of land and culture, you will also receive the following tangible member benefits:

• Quarterly mailings of South of the Mountains, the only journal of Rockland County history, published continuously since 1957.

• Seasonal mailings of our Calendar of Events and/or newsletters.

• 10% discount on HSRC publications, maps, and items in our Museum Shop.

• Reduced fees for HSRC programs and services.

• Free admission to the Jacob Blauvelt House and to most of the HSRC’s exhibitions.

Name:

Address: City, State, Zip:

Phone: _________________ _ Cell Phone:

Email (required):

Circle: Student/Senior: $25 Centurion: $100 Museum Patron: $1,000

Individual: $40 Blauvelt Fellow: $250 Sustaining Patron: $2,500

Family: $50 President’s Circle: $500 Benefactor: $5,000

Payment: My check for $_________ is enclosed.

Credit Card # _____________________________________

Expiration Date: ________ /________ CCV ____________

Mail to: HSRC, 20 Zukor Road, New City, NY 10956

Memberships are also available online at www.RocklandHistory.org. Questions? E-mail info@rocklandhistory.org or phone (845) 634-9629

The Historical Society of Rockland County is a nonprofit educational institution and the principal repository for original documents and artifacts relating to Rockland County. Its mission is to acquire, preserve, and exhibit objects, buildings, and sites that reflect the history of Rockland County and to research, document, promote, and publicize the county’s rich historical heritage for the people of Rockland.

The HSRC is open to the public Wednesday–Friday, 10 am–5 pm yearround and on Sunday, 12–4 pm, during exhibitions, events, and programs. Library research and tours of the Jacob Blauvelt House are available by appointment by contacting (845) 634-9629.

www.RocklandHistory.org

Special thanks to Jennifer Brooks, Thom Kleiner, Christine Kowalski, and Clare Sheridan for the photos used in this report and archived on our Flickr site at https://www.flickr.com.photos/100479933@N04.