Historical Society of Rockland County

Artists & Intellectuals: The Women of South Mountain Road, Rockland County

March 30, 2022 by Clare Sheridan Leave a Comment

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

Legacy of Black Publisher A.P. Smith Subject of History Luncheon

September 30, 2021 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

A. P. Smith was the African American publisher of The Landscape, a four-page monthly that he wrote and printed in his home at the top of East Allendale Road on the corner of Chestnut Ridge Road in Saddle River, Bergen County, New Jersey.

Smith wrote in later years that when he started his paper in 1881, it was “the only newspaper in Bergen County north of Hackensack.” Smith also claimed to be descended from the same family in Rockland County as the noted abolitionist Gerrit Smith. [Read more…] about Legacy of Black Publisher A.P. Smith Subject of History Luncheon

A Toni Morrison Retrospective in Nyack

June 23, 2021 by Clare Sheridan Leave a Comment

On the June 2021 episode of Crossroads of Rockland History, author Brenda Ross visited the program to speak about the Toni Morrison retrospective that she curated for the Historical Society of the Nyacks. This is the first exhibit to open in the Historical Society’s new museum space. [Read more…] about A Toni Morrison Retrospective in Nyack

Helen Hayes Subject of Rockland History Podcast

May 20, 2021 by Clare Sheridan Leave a Comment

The May 2021 episode of “Crossroads of Rockland History,” remembers Helen Hayes. Joyce Bulifant, daughter-in-law of Hayes, shared fond memories of her mother-in-law; of her father-in-law, the playwright Charles MacArthur; and of their famous house in Nyack, Pretty Penny. Then we learned about an effort to establish Pretty Penny as a literary landmark from actor/writer/director Joel Vig. [Read more…] about Helen Hayes Subject of Rockland History Podcast

Hair Stylist Miriam Cordwell Subject of Rockland History Podcast

March 16, 2021 by Clare Sheridan Leave a Comment

On the latest episode of the “Crossroads of Rockland History” podcast the topic was the life and legacy of Miriam Cordwell (1908-1986) – the trailblazing, innovating and award-winning hair stylist. Clare Sheridan’s guest was Cordwell’s niece, Judith Brodil. [Read more…] about Hair Stylist Miriam Cordwell Subject of Rockland History Podcast

Race, Power and Urban Renewal In Nyack

February 17, 2021 by Clare Sheridan Leave a Comment

On the February 2021 episode of “Crossroads of Rockland History,” the topic was the history and impact of Urban Renewal on Nyack, NY.

Clare Sheridan’s guests were Owen Voutsinas-Klose, author of Race, Power and Urban Renewal on the Hudson, and Bill Batson, whose family was directly impacted when their home was seized by eminent domain to make way for urban renewal in Nyack. [Read more…] about Race, Power and Urban Renewal In Nyack

An Interview With Feminist Activist Muriel Fox

December 25, 2020 by Clare Sheridan Leave a Comment

On the December 2020 episode of “Crossroads of Rockland History,” Clare Sheridan welcomed feminist trailblazer Muriel Fox. While living in Tappan, Muriel Fox made history with Betty Friedan when they, and other prominent feminists, founded the National Organization for Women (NOW) in 1966. [Read more…] about An Interview With Feminist Activist Muriel Fox

Public Sculpture, Suffrage on Rockland History Podcast

October 1, 2020 by Clare Sheridan Leave a Comment

The September 2020 episode of “Crossroads of Rockland History,” focused on the two new exhibitions on view now at the Historical Society of Rockland County (HSRC). Mariel Farlow and her daughter Michele Lehtis appeared to discuss the monumental sculpture “Being of Light – Image of the Human Soul.” [Read more…] about Public Sculpture, Suffrage on Rockland History Podcast

League of Women Voters Celebrates 100 Years (Podcast)

August 25, 2020 by Clare Sheridan Leave a Comment

This episode of “Crossroads of Rockland History,” celebrates the 100th Anniversary of the League of Women Voters.

Marilyn Cohen, Vice President of the Rockland County Chapter of the League of Women Voters (LWV), discussed the national, nonpartisan group that has been doing active grassroots organizing for 100 years with the belief that voters should play a critical role in democracy.

We discussed the history of the LWV nationally and here in Rockland County. We also discussed what the LWV is doing now to prepare for the upcoming election. [Read more…] about League of Women Voters Celebrates 100 Years (Podcast)

1974 Plane Crash Hike In Harriman State Park

August 6, 2020 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Northwest Airlines Flight 6231 crashed in Harriman State Park, located in Rockland and Orange counties, on December 1, 1974, just minutes after taking off from Kennedy Airport, on its way to Buffalo.

The Historical Society of Rockland County has invited the public to a Hike through History event, focusing on the crash site and memorial in Harriman State Park, set for Saturday, August 15th. [Read more…] about 1974 Plane Crash Hike In Harriman State Park