History, Natural History & the Arts
The March 2020 episode of “Crossroads of Rockland History” focused on the #MonumentalWomen Project.
Pam Elam (President, Monumental Women) and Meredith Bergmann (Sculptor), appeared to speak about the all-volunteer, not-for-profit organization, created in 2014 with the initial goal of breaking the bronze ceiling and creating the first statue of real women in Central Park’s 166-year history. [Read more…] about #MonumentalWomen Project (Podcast)
The February 2020 “Crossroads of Rockland History,” focused on Just Call Me Lucky, a new book about Hezekiah Easter. Based on extensive personal interviews and written in the “as told to” style by Elizabeth Vallone, the book highlights Easter’s many contributions to the Rockand County community, including his work as the first African American to hold elected office in Rockland County, his tireless efforts to preserve Mount Moor Cemetery, and much more. [Read more…] about Rockland Co African-American Pioneer Hezekiah Easter
The December 2019 “Crossroads of Rockland History,” featured life-long Rocklander Art Gunther who spoke about what it was like growing up in Spring Valley, NY.
Gunther described how Spring Valley has changed, his fond memories grade school, high school, shopping downtown, and Spring Valley’s history as a resort community. He also spoke about his career as a journalist for the Journal-News as well as his very popular column, “The Column Rule.” [Read more…] about Art Gunther on Rockland County’s Spring Valley History
The November 2019 “Crossroads of Rockland History,” focuses on how the Volstead Act (Prohibition) changed Rockland County. Rockland County Historian Craig Long discusses several topics, including bootlegging, stills, law enforcement and the connection between religious revivalism, women’s suffrage and prohibition. Long also recounted what he learned from his interviews of local residents in the 1980s who had lived through prohibition in Suffern, NY. [Read more…] about Prohibition and Rockland County
The October 2019 “Crossroads of Rockland History,” featured an interview with Dr. Arlene Clinkscale who made New York State education history when she became the first African American woman in the state to lead a school district. Nyack. [Read more…] about Nyack Education Pioneer Arlene Clinkscale
The September 2019 “Crossroads of Rockland History,” featured an interview with George Hoehmann, Supervisor of the Town of Clarkstown who spoke about the current state of historic preservation in Clarkstown.
He discussed municipally owned open space, parkland and historic sites. He also provided updates on the two major historic preservation projects in Clarkstown: The Traphagen Historic Site (West Nyack) including the Talman-Budke House (18th C. Sandstone Dwelling) and the Vanderbilt-Trapahgen House (c. 1820); and the Cropsey Barn (New City) which is part of the Cropsey Community Farm. [Read more…] about Crossroads of Rockland History: Clarkstown
The July 2019 “Crossroads of Rockland History,” focused on the 240th anniversary of the storming of Stony Point. Michael Sheehan, historian at the Stony Point Battlefield State Historic Site joined Clare Sheridan to discuss the history (and some misconceptions) surrounding this important victory for the Continental Army and they recapped the commemorative events that took place at the site on July 13 & 14, 2019. [Read more…] about Storming of Stony Point’s 240th Anniversary
The June 2019 “Crossroads of Rockland History,” focused on Rockland County’s rich historical places located within the area’s woodlands and parklands.
Gordon Wren joined Clare Sheridan to discuss some of the interesting local history that can be explored through historical hikes such as Claudius Smith’s Den; Northwest Airlines Crash Site; Doodletown; Sterling Forest Mines and the Ramsay Conklin Site. Organizations in the area that cater to history enthusiasts who love to explore the outdoors are also discussed, including the NY/NJ Trail Conference and the Historical Society of the Palisades Interstate Park Region. [Read more…] about Some Historic Hikes In Rockland County History
The May 2019 “Crossroads of Rockland History” focused on the new exhibition at the Historical Society of Rockland County (HSRC) entitled “Influencers: Art and History on South Mountain Road.” Susan Deeks, the HSRC’s executive director, discussed this important artist colony where modernism flourished. [Read more…] about Rockland History: Art and History on So Mtn Rd
The April 2019 “Crossroads of Rockland History,” was an exploration of the new exhibition at the Orangetown Historical Museum and Archives (OHMA) entitled Shanks Legacy. Elizabeth Skrabonja (curator) and Mary Cardenas (Museum Director and Orangetown Historian) were interviewed.
Camp Shanks was the U.S. Army’s largest port of embarkation on the East Coast in World War II. It saw some 1.3 million troops pass through on their way to England and North Africa. [Read more…] about The Legacy of Camp Shanks, Rockland County