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
Nyack Education Pioneer Arlene Clinkscale
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
Crossroads of Rockland History: Clarkstown
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
Storming of Stony Point’s 240th Anniversary
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
Some Historic Hikes In Rockland County History
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
Rockland History: Art and History on So Mtn Rd
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 Legacy of Camp Shanks, Rockland County
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
Crossroads of Rockland History Celebrates 100th Episode
The 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
The 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
The 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