New York Almanack

History, Natural History & the Arts

Historical Society of Rockland County

League of Women Voters Celebrates 100 Years (Podcast)

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crossroads of rockland historyThis 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

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Flight 6231 Memorial provided by Historical Society of Rockland County

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

Artists and Anarchists in Rockland County (Podcast)

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crossroads of rockland historyThe June 2020 episode of “Crossroads of Rockland History,” explored the life and work of Mary Mowbray-Clarke. As a young woman, Nyack’s Mary Mowbray-Clarke (née Horgan) met and mingled with some of the most influential artists and intellectuals of the day.

Later, as co-owner of the Sunwise Turn Bookshop, a hotbed of artistic activity and anarchist political thought in New York City during the 1910s and ’20s, she convinced many of her friends and colleagues to move to Rockland County, resulting in an artist colony like no other. [Read more…] about Artists and Anarchists in Rockland County (Podcast)

Orangetown Suffragists: A Rockland Co History Podcast

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crossroads of rockland historyThe April 2020 “Crossroads of Rockland History” podcast features Orangetown Historical Museum and Archives. The museum had planned to open a new exhibition, “Orangetown Suffragists,” on April 19.

Although the opening had to be postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Clare Sheridan interviewed Orangetown Historian Mary Cardenas and Orangetown Museum Curator Elizabeth Skrabonja about their efforts to research the fight Orangetown women undertook to win the right to vote. They discussed the fascinating women’s suffrage movement within the context of how women lived and were perceived at the time and the legacy that lives on today in Orangetown as we celebrate 100 years of women’s suffrage. [Read more…] about Orangetown Suffragists: A Rockland Co History Podcast

#MonumentalWomen Project (Podcast)

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crossroads of rockland historyThe March 2020 episode of “Crossroads of Rockland History” focused on the #MonumentalWomen Project.

Pam Elam (President, Monumental Women) and Meredith Bergmann (Sculptor), appeared to speak about the all-volunteer, not-for-profit organization, created in 2014 with the initial goal of breaking the bronze ceiling and creating the first statue of real women in Central Park’s 166-year history. [Read more…] about #MonumentalWomen Project (Podcast)

Rockland Co Preservation Awards Nominations Sought

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The Historical Society of Rockland County is set to host the 30th Annual Rockland County Executive’s Historic Preservation Merit Awards, on Sunday, May 17. These awards, presented during National Historic Preservation Month, recognize outstanding historic preservation efforts in Rockland County. [Read more…] about Rockland Co Preservation Awards Nominations Sought

Rockland Co African-American Pioneer Hezekiah Easter

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crossroads of rockland historyThe February 2020 “Crossroads of Rockland History,” focused on Just Call Me Lucky, a new book about Hezekiah Easter. Based on extensive personal interviews and written in the “as told to” style by Elizabeth Vallone, the book highlights Easter’s many contributions to the Rockand County community, including his work as the first African American to hold elected office in Rockland County, his tireless efforts to preserve Mount Moor Cemetery, and much more. [Read more…] about Rockland Co African-American Pioneer Hezekiah Easter

Art Gunther on Rockland County’s Spring Valley History

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crossroads of rockland historyThe December 2019 “Crossroads of Rockland History,” featured life-long Rocklander Art Gunther who spoke about what it was like growing up in Spring Valley, NY.

Gunther described how Spring Valley has changed, his fond memories grade school, high school, shopping downtown, and Spring Valley’s history as a resort community. He also spoke about his career as a journalist for the Journal-News as well as his very popular column, “The Column Rule.” [Read more…] about Art Gunther on Rockland County’s Spring Valley History

Dollhouses, Miniature Art Exhibit in New City

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small wonders exhibitThe Historical Society of Rockland County has announced the 44th annual holiday exhibit, The Dollhouses and Miniature Art of Catherine Cooke, is on display until March 1st, 2020.

This year’s Holiday Exhibition features a selection of Catherine’s Small Wonders: custom dollhouses decorated and furnished down to the tiniest details, from period wallpaper, area rugs, and lamps to food in the kitchen. [Read more…] about Dollhouses, Miniature Art Exhibit in New City