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
Historical Society of Rockland County
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
Burgess Meredith & Rockland County History
On the September 2022 episode of Crossroads of Rockland History, we turned our attention to the life and legacy of the actor Burgess Meredith, who lived in the village of Pomona, in Ramapo, NY for thirty years.
Meredith’s son, Jonathan Meredith, joined Clare Sheridan to share memories of his father, growing up in Rockland County, and his father’s eclectic group of creative friends and neighbors, including Charles Addams, Maxwell Anderson, Alan Jay Lerner, and more. [Read more…] about Burgess Meredith & Rockland County History
Orangetown Memory Project on Rockland History Podcast
On the July 2022 episode of Crossroads of Rockland History, the new exhibition at the Orangetown Historical Museum and Archive entitled “The Orangetown Memory Project.” Members of the museum staff (Mary Cardenas, Elizabeth Skrabonja and Stefanie D’Erasmo) joined Clare Sheridan to discuss the exhibition, which uses artifacts and archives from the Orangetown Museum’s permanent collection to discover how finding out about our past adds immeasurable value to our daily lives. [Read more…] about Orangetown Memory Project on Rockland History Podcast
Millia Davenport & The Book of Costume
On the June 2022 episode of Crossroads of Rockland History, we turned our attention to the life and legacy of Millia Davenport (1895-1992).
David Bisaha, Assistant Professor of Theater at SUNY Binghamton joined host Clare Sheridan to discuss this remarkable and trailblazing woman who lived most of her life in Rockland County. Among her many contributions include writing the definitive book of theatrical costume history, The Book of Costume. Published in 1948, it remains the gold standard. In 1991 the Costume Society of America established the Millia Davenport Publication Award recognizing excellence in costume scholarship. [Read more…] about Millia Davenport & The Book of Costume
Artists & Intellectuals: The Women of South Mountain Road, Rockland County
To celebrate Women’s History Month (March 2022), Crossroads of Rockland History focused our attention on the women of South Mountain Road (Rockland County) who, like their male counterparts, were gifted artists and intellectuals.
Historical Society of Rockland County’s Executive Director Susan Deeks joined Clare Sheridan to discuss some of these notable women and why they deserve a prominent place in the history of American arts and letters. Lita Hornick, Martha Ryther, Lotte Lenya, Eva Zeisel, Bessie Breuer and Mary Mowbray-Clarke were discussed. [Read more…] about Artists & Intellectuals: The Women of South Mountain Road, Rockland County