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Roosevelt Island Historical Society

New York’s Whaling Industry: Some History

April 10, 2021 by Guest Contributor 1 Comment

whale watching courtesy Newport Coastal AdventureIn 2011, the nonprofit Gotham Whale recorded just five humpbacks spotted off New York City. Since then, the number has soared. By 2018, sightings had jumped to 272. Less than a year later, 377 whales of different species were observed.

A recent Discover Magazine article cites two main factors that drive the increasing presence of whales. [Read more…] about New York’s Whaling Industry: Some History

Filed Under: Nature, New York City Tagged With: Maritime History, nature, New York City, Roosevelt Island Historical Society, Whaling

Two Early NYC Reservoirs: A Virtual Program

February 27, 2021 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Drawing with aerial view of the two rectangular-shaped reservoir basins built in NYC in 1842 The Roosevelt Island Historical Society will host “A Tale of Two Waterworks,” a virtual presentation with Jeffrey Kroessler exploring the history of the water systems of New York City and the once independent City of Brooklyn. [Read more…] about Two Early NYC Reservoirs: A Virtual Program

Filed Under: Events, History, Hudson Valley - Catskills, New York City Tagged With: Roosevelt Island Historical Society

The Unpleasant Side of Life With Horses in Cities

February 8, 2021 by Guest Contributor 4 Comments

Roosevelt Island HorsesReturn with me to the thrilling days of yesteryear when the automobile was viewed as the solution to transportation noise, fumes and congestion.

The problem: Horses.

A lot of horses. [Read more…] about The Unpleasant Side of Life With Horses in Cities

Filed Under: Capital-Saratoga, History, New York City, Western NY Tagged With: Environmental History, Horses, Roosevelt Island Historical Society, Transportation History, Urban History

George Waring’s Men In White

January 24, 2021 by Judith Berdy 1 Comment

Col George R Waring in 1883George Waring was born in Pound Ridge, New York, the son of George E. Waring Sr., a wealthy stove manufacturer. Trained in agricultural chemistry, he began to lecture on agricultural science. In 1855, he took charge of Horace Greeley‘s farm at Chappaqua, New York. [Read more…] about George Waring’s Men In White

Filed Under: History, New York City Tagged With: Central Park, Civil War, Military History, New York City, Public Health, Roosevelt Island Historical Society, Urban History

NYC Bridge Lecture Planned For Roosevelt Island

November 27, 2019 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

bridge by Dave Frieder“The Bridge Man,” photographer Dave Frieder, has climbed 20 of New York’s great bridges to photograph them in intimate and distinctive ways. His photographs are now published in the book The Magnificent Bridges of New York City.

Frieder is set to discusses his approach to capturing the engineering behind and supporting the bridges at a lecture at the New York Public Library Branch on Roosevelt Island, on Thursday, December 19th, at 6:30 pm. [Read more…] about NYC Bridge Lecture Planned For Roosevelt Island

Filed Under: Events, History, New York City Tagged With: New York Public Library, Roosevelt Island Historical Society

Roosevelt Island and Public Health History

August 13, 2019 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

abandoned small pox hospital on Roosevelt IslandRoosevelt Island, formerly Blackwell’s Island (and later Welfare Island), has had many layers of medical history. From the construction of the almshouses in the 1830s onward, the island has housed the ill, displaced, criminals and unwanted poor of the city. [Read more…] about Roosevelt Island and Public Health History

Filed Under: Events, History Tagged With: Medical History, New York City, Public Health, Roosevelt Island, Roosevelt Island Historical Society

Historic Preservation, Architecture on Roosevelt Island

January 15, 2019 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Thomas FennimanArchitect Thomas Fenniman is set to speak on historic preservation and architecture on Roosevelt Island, on Thursday, January 17th at 6:30 pm, at the New York Public Library Branch on Roosevelt Island, NY.

Historic preservation combines multiple disciplines: architecture, design, knowledge of period materials and construction techniques, plus communication to manage the process of building owners, regulators and the masons and builders who perform the work. [Read more…] about Historic Preservation, Architecture on Roosevelt Island

Filed Under: Events, History Tagged With: Architecture, Historic Preservation, New York City, New York Public Library, Roosevelt Island Historical Society

Willard Suitcases Update: A Roosevelt Island Lecture

April 22, 2018 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Suitcase of Robert Y, courtesy John CrispinA lecture by John Crispin on the famed Willard Psychiatric Center suitcases has been set for Thursday, May 10th at 6:30 pm at the New York Public Library Branch on Roosevelt Island, led .

When Willard Psychiatric Center closed in New York’s Finger Lakes in 1995, an employee discovered a large collection of suitcases in storage in an attic. Many of these pieces of luggage contained the personal belongings of former patients. [Read more…] about Willard Suitcases Update: A Roosevelt Island Lecture

Filed Under: Events, History Tagged With: Finger Lakes, Medical History, Roosevelt Island Historical Society

Controversy Over Proposed Roosevelt Island Sign

February 7, 2018 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Roosevelt Island IR SignThe Roosevelt Island Historical Society has issued a call for action to oppose a proposed “RI” art-piece dubbed a “Welcome Monument” planned for placement outside the Roosevelt Island Historical Society Visitor Center Kiosk.

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) is now soliciting public comments to gauge community support for the proposed 3-D, 10-foot-tall RI welcome-monument / sign. [Read more…] about Controversy Over Proposed Roosevelt Island Sign

Filed Under: History Tagged With: NYC, Roosevelt Island, Roosevelt Island Historical Society

Blissville: Fascinating Corner of Long Island City

November 2, 2017 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

blissvilleThe Roosevelt Island Historical Society will host a film screening and discussion with Documentarian Hank Linhard on Blissville: Hidden Corner of Long Island City, on Thursday, November 9th at 6:30 pm at the Roosevelt Island Library.

The one-hour film Blissville takes a close-up look at a hidden corner of Roosevelt Island’s nearby neighbor, Long Island City (LIC).   [Read more…] about Blissville: Fascinating Corner of Long Island City

Filed Under: Events, History Tagged With: Long Island, Roosevelt Island Historical Society

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