New York Almanack

History, Natural History & the Arts

Clare Sheridan

Crossroads of Rockland History Celebrates 100th Episode

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crossroads of rockland historyThe February 2019 “Crossroads of Rockland History,” was a celebration of the program’s 100th episode. We discussed the most popular programs that we’ve aired since the program first aired in October 2010.

Excerpts from past programs were included: The Brinks Robbery with Bob Baird, Haunted History with Linda Zimmermann, Two Schools in Hillburn Documentary with Joe Allen, Aviation History with Adam Raines, Blauvelt’s Roger Peltzman (pianist) and Pearl River Author Mary Beth Keane. We also learned about an interesting piece of Haverstraw History that includes Babe Ruth and St. Peter’s Church from Steve Possell. [Read more…] about Crossroads of Rockland History Celebrates 100th Episode

Author Frank Eberling on Crossroads of Rockland History

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crossroads of rockland historyThe January 2019 “Crossroads of Rockland History,” featured New City native (now Floridian) and author Frank Eberling who previewed his upcoming murder-mystery Low Tor. Just like his earlier novel Demarest Kill, Low Tor is set in familiar places in Rockland County, and weaves a shady tale of murder on the mountain.

It’s another page-turner filled with local history and colorful characters. Frank Eberling is a fifth-generation New City resident who moved to Florida upon graduation from Clarkstown High School in 1964. He has worked as a documentary filmmaker for more than forty years. [Read more…] about Author Frank Eberling on Crossroads of Rockland History

Esposito Rail Trail: Crossroads of Rockland History

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crossroads of rockland historyThe December 2018 “Crossroads of Rockland History,” featured South Nyack Village Trustee and Esposito Rail Trail Sign Committee member Andrew Goodwillie.

Goodwillie shared fascinating facts and anecdotes about the impact of the railroad and Thruway on Nyack and South Nyack. Goodwillie and a team of volunteers from Nyack, South Nyack and Piermont have been researching this history to create wayside historical signage along the Esposito Rail Trail (Nyack, South Nyack, Piermont and Sparkill). The signs are finished and will soon be in the ground in a number of locations along this busy walking trail. [Read more…] about Esposito Rail Trail: Crossroads of Rockland History

Piermont’s Papermill: Crossroads of Rockland History

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crossroads of rockland historyThe “Crossroads of Rockland History” podcast recently focused on the award-winning documentary Piermont’s Papermill: Stories from the Factory. Betsy Franco Feeney (Trustee) from the Piermont Historical Society (PHS) joined Clare Sheridan to discuss life in Piermont before the Condominiums. [Read more…] about Piermont’s Papermill: Crossroads of Rockland History

Crossroads of Rockland History Features Artist Lisa Levart

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crossroads of rockland historyThe October 2018 “Crossroads of Rockland History,” featured artist Lisa Levart who spoke about her current exhibition at the Historical Society of Rockland County (HSRC). This exhibition represents the culmination of eighteen months of creative collaboration between Levart and women of the Ramapough Lenape Nation (Rockland and Bergen counties). Levart uses collaged portrait photography as a basis for contemporary reinterpretations of Lenape mythology.

Her technique of layering images with other materials achieves results that blend “contemporary and ancient portraiture across the expanse of time.” A selection of her photographs – some being exhibited for the first time – are displayed alongside prehistoric and historical Lenape objects in the HSRC galleries. [Read more…] about Crossroads of Rockland History Features Artist Lisa Levart

Edith Varian Cockcroft: Crossroads of Rockland History

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crossroads of rockland historyThe September, 2018  the Crossroads of Rockland History podcast focused on the forgotten painter, inventor, couturier, textile designer and ceramist Edith Varian Cockcroft (1881-1962).

Eve M. Kahn (Art Historian and New York Times contributor) appeared with Sloatsburg native Peter Bush. They discussed the interesting life of the artist and the research that has been underway during this recent rediscovery.

Cockcroft, a Brooklyn native, studied art with William Merritt Chase and traveled widely in Europe before World War I. Critics lauded her atmospheric views of French and British coastal villages and portraits of nudes against vibrant fabric backdrops. She exhibited at venues such as the Paris Salon, the National Academy of Design, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, and the Art Institute of Chicago. Collectors as elite as Moscow’s Ivan Morosov acquired her work. [Read more…] about Edith Varian Cockcroft: Crossroads of Rockland History

Rockland History: Friends of Harmony Hall, Jacob Sloat House

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crossroads of rockland historyOn the August, 2018 “Crossroads of Rockland History,” Peter Bush (direct descendent of Jacob Sloat) was on hand to discuss Friends of Harmony Hall ~ Jacob Sloat House.

This magnificent house, built in 1848, in the heart of New York State’s historic Ramapo Pass is raising excitement in Sloatsburg, NY, an area which is undergoing an economic revitalization at the moment. As unique as its original owner, the estate was added to the New York State and National Registers of Historic Places on December 22, 2006.

Although it is considered to be a ‘restoration in progress,’ this stately home once again welcomes visitors on a limited basis, offering a wide range of arts and educational programming. When restoration work is complete, Harmony Hall is expected to serve as the cultural center of western Rockland County – welcoming visitors to a region renown for its natural beauty, magnificent parks and significant contribution to American history. [Read more…] about Rockland History: Friends of Harmony Hall, Jacob Sloat House

Crossroads of Rockland History: Suffern Village, Railroad Museum

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crossroads of rockland historyOn the July, 2018 “Crossroads of Rockland History,” we learned about the Suffern Village Museum and the Suffern Railroad Museum from our very special guest, Craig Long. Before being appointed Ramapo Town Historian and Rockland County Historian, Craig Long began his history career in the 1980s as a charter member of the Suffern Village Museum. This museum and the Suffern Railroad Museum tell the rich history of this important village at the crossroads of the Ramapo region. [Read more…] about Crossroads of Rockland History: Suffern Village, Railroad Museum

Haverstraw’s African American Connections

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crossroads of rockland historyOn the June 2018 “Crossroads of Rockland History,” Clare Sheridan welcomed Virginia Norfleet, the founder of the Haverstraw African American Connection (HAAC). This organization was instrumental in the creation of the Haverstraw African American Memorial Park and Haverstraw’s Annual Juneteenth Celebration.

Norfleet spoke about the research she has done through the HAAC to uncover the rich culture and contributions of African Americans of Haverstraw, New York, the Juneteenth Celebrations and the importance of Memorial Park. Listen to the podcast here. [Read more…] about Haverstraw’s African American Connections

Jawonio: 70 Years With People With Special Needs

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crossroads of rockland historyOn this month’s on “Crossroads of Rockland History,” Clare Sheridan explored the new exhibition at the Historical Society of Rockland County: “Jawonio: Moving Forward, Looking Back – Changing Lives of People with Special Needs for 70 Years” with Diana Hess (Chief Development Officer at Jawonio).

“Jawonio” is a Native American word that means “independence.” Founded in Rockland County in 1947 as the Rockland County Center for the Physically Handicapped & United Cerebral Palsy, Jawonio today is at the forefront of providing services that help people of all ages with special needs reach their potential and achieve independence.

Listen to the podcast here. [Read more…] about Jawonio: 70 Years With People With Special Needs