Zita Johann (1904–1993), best known for her role in The Mummy (1932) starring Boris Karloff, lived for many years in Rockland County. The latest episode of Crossroads of Rockland History explores a new book on the actor by local author Tom Stratford, Along Came Zita (BookBaby, 2023). [Read more…] about Zita Johann: Rockland County’s Classic Movie Star
Historical Society of Rockland County
Getting There: Rivers, Roads, Rails Exhibit in Rockland County
The latest episode of the Crossroads of Rockland History podcast explored “Getting There: Rivers, Roads, Rails,” the new exhibition opening at the The Orangetown Historical Museum & Archives on April 23rd, 2023. Mary Cardenas, Orangetown Historian and museum director; Elizabeth Skrabonja, exhibition curator; and Steve Schwinn, member of the Board of the Friends of the Orangetown Museum were the guests. [Read more…] about Getting There: Rivers, Roads, Rails Exhibit in Rockland County
A Mystery Hike to Historic Harriman Park Cemetery
The Historical Society of Rockland County has announced a hike to a historic cemetery in Harriman State Park set for Saturday, March 25th. [Read more…] about A Mystery Hike to Historic Harriman Park Cemetery
Thurgood Marshall & Rockland County School Desegregation
On the February 2023 Crossroads, host Clare Sheridan revisited the 2011 interview with Dr. Travis Jackson (1934–2021) about his personal memories and his extensive research related to the desegregation of the Hillburn schools and the role that Thurgood Marshall played in this important piece of Rockland County history.
Dr. Travis Jackson was born and raised in Hillburn. He was entering the fourth grade in 1943 when Hillburn families of color and the NAACP worked together to desegregate the Hillburn schools. [Read more…] about Thurgood Marshall & Rockland County School Desegregation
Rockland History: Pearl River Public Library
On the January 2023 Crossroads, host Clare Sheridan welcomed James Cassetta of the Pearl River Public Library in Orangetown, Rockland County, to the program. In honor of its 60th anniversary, the library is inviting the public to share personal recollections in videotaped interviews. Memories including moving to Pearl River and living and raising families there will be compiled and edited to create a film for posterity. We learned about the library’s history and this interesting oral history project. [Read more…] about Rockland History: Pearl River Public Library
A Dutch Holiday Traditions Podcast
On the December 2022 Crossroads of Rockland History, Jennifer Brooks, Public Education and Outreach Coordinator at the Historical Society of Rockland County, joined host Clare Sheridan to discuss Dutch Holiday Traditions.
They traced the line between the traditions of early Dutch settlers in Rockland County and surrounding areas to the growth of our modern American Christmas and explored the history behind our holiday traditions. Where did they 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? [Read more…] about A Dutch Holiday Traditions Podcast
Rockland County Dutch Holiday History & Craft Workshop
The Historical Society of Rockland County (HSRC) will host “Dutch Holiday Traditions: A History and Hands-On Craft Workshop,” set for Thursday, December 15th. [Read more…] about Rockland County Dutch Holiday History & Craft Workshop
Celebrating Artist Edward Hopper (1882-1967)
2022 marks the 140th birthday of Edward Hopper (1882-1967). On the November episode of Crossroads of Rockand History, we learned about the events celebrating this important American artist, who was born in Nyack, in Rockland County, NY. [Read more…] about Celebrating Artist Edward Hopper (1882-1967)
Nyack’s Oak Hill Cemetery Walk Through History
The Historical Society of Rockland County will host a “Walk through History” at Oak Hill Cemetery, in Nyack, NY on Sunday, November 6th. [Read more…] about Nyack’s Oak Hill Cemetery Walk Through History
Haunted History of Rockland County
The October 2022 episode of Crossroads of Rockland History turns its attention to the haunted history of Rockland County, NY. First, host Clare Sheridan read the mysterious story of Lavender, and afterward we revisited a 2014 episode of “Crossroads” featuring an interview with the author, historian, and ghost hunter Linda Zimmermann.
Whether it’s the house on LaVeta Place in Nyack; Bosco; Clarkstown’s Jane “Naut” Kanniff, and the last witch trial in New York; the Goblin of the Dunderberg, or others, Linda Zimmermann knows them all and shared many with us. [Read more…] about Haunted History of Rockland County