THE BRONX HISTORIAN
THEBRONXCOUNTY
HISTORICALSOCIETY
NewsletterofTheBronxCountyHistoricalSociety
3309BAINBRIDGEAVENUE
THEBRONX,NEWYORK10467
PHONE:(718)881-8900
FAX:(718)881-4827
www.bronxhistoricalsociety.org
VisitusonFacebook,Youtube,and
Twitter.
TheBronxCountyHistoricalSociety,
foundedin1955,isaprivate,nonprofiteducationalandcultural
institutioncharteredbytheNewYork
StateBoardofRegents.TheSocietyis
dedicatedtothecollection,
preservation,documentationand
interpretationofthehistoryand
heritageofTheBronxanditspeople
fromitsearliesthistoricalreferences
inthe17thcenturytothepresent.
TheSocietydisseminatesinformation
byutilizingitscollectionsin
exhibitions,historicalresearch,
productionofpublicationsand
documentaries,educationaland
culturalprogramming,theoperation
ofourresearchlibrary,TheBronx
CountyArchivesandtwohistoric
landmarkhousemuseums-the
c.1812EdgarAllanPoeCottageand
thec.1758fieldstonefarmhouse
Valentine-VarianHouse/Museumof
BronxHistory.
Thisnewsletterispublishedthree
timesayearasaservicetomembers
andfriends.
TheBronxCountyHistoricalSociety
ispartiallysupportedthroughfunds
andservicesprovidedbytheNYC
DepartmentsofCulturalAffairsand
ParksandRecreation,theHistoric
HouseTrustofNewYorkCity,The
BronxCityCouncilDelegation,the
OfficeofthePresidentoftheBorough
ofTheBronx,TheBronxDelegations
oftheNYSAssemblyandtheNYS
Senate,theH.W.WilsonFoundation,
theAstorFund,theLuciusN.Littauer
Foundation,TheNewYorkTimes
Foundation,theVerizonFoundation,
theNewYorkStateLibrary,theNew
YankeeStadiumCommunityBenefits
Fund,theSusanTaneFoundation,the
NewYorkPublicLibrary,andthe
NewYorkCommunityTrust.
FEBRUARY2017–MAY2017VOLUME40NUMBER2
TheGreatWarCentennial:TheBronxandWorldWarI
World War I was a four-year conflict that
alteredtheworld,andyetatthecentenaryof
one of the largest wars in modern history,
many Americans today are unfamiliar with
its details. Through no fault of their own,
this war was mainly fought overseas with
American forces only in the war from April
1917 to November 1918. However, in our
backyardwehadoneofthelargestNational
Guard mobilization camps in New York City
in Van Cortlandt Park. In the original park
plans,therewerespecificationsforaparade
ground solely for use by the National Guard
of New York. Throughout the next three
decades, the parade ground would go from
National Guard polo ground to training and National Guardsmen takes a lunch break while preparing for duty at the
mobilization camp for one of the largest Mexican border. Van Cortlandt Park, 1916.
Photograph courtesy of the Library of Congress.
warseverfought.
DDDD
TheNationalGuardhad,throughoutthistime,conductedmockbattlesintheparkasawaytokeepup
with their training. On September 25, 1915, ten thousand guardsmen conducted a large public
displaywitheventssuchasfoot,flag,andmachinegundrillandexplosionoflandmines.From1916
to 1917, the Guard used Van Cortlandt Park’s parade ground to assemble troops going down to the
MexicanborderinsearchofPanchoVilla.WhenAmericadeclaredwaronGermanyinApril1917,the
parade ground was used to assemble the 22nd Engineers, 23rd Regiment, 71st Regiment and others
fromsouthernNewYorkState.
FromAugust1917toNovember1918,theparkwasarevolvingdoorforguardtroopsmakingtheir
way down to rendezvous at the camp at Spartanburg, South Carolina before leaving for Europe. As
thewareffortwounddown,NewYorkgavethefinalpushtocollectmoneyforthewareffort.April
1919wasVanCortlandtPark’slastshambattleofthewar,whichincludeddiggingtrenches,chemical
warfaredemonstrationsandfireworks.
1st Cavalry being mustered before going to the border, 1916.
Photograph courtesy of the New-York Tribune.
There are facets of Bronx history, which still need
researchandstudy.TheroleofBronxparksduring
WorldWarIwasparamountandthereisstillmuch
to learn. For example, Pelham Bay Park was also
utilizedasatraininggroundduringthewar.Asthe
centennial of the war continues throughout 2019,
TheBronxCountyHistoricalSocietywillcontinueto
rememberbyhavingexhibitions,walkingtours,and
lectures dedicated to one of the most important
wars in modern world history. Our spring
exhibition, Over There: America & The Great War
will exhibit the items and memories of those who
witnessedthisconflict.
Religious service on the Van Cortlandt House grounds, 1917.
The 1st Field Artillery preparing to leave for the Mexican border, 1916.
Photograph courtesy of the New York Herald.
Photograph courtesy of the Library of Congress.
The Bronx Historian
February 2017 – M ay 2017
PURE GOLD
Schools,businesses,
institutions,and
associationsin
TheBronxarenoted.
Glacken’sBar&Grill
135East149thStreet
Est.1940
LaModernaBarberShop
1529WestchesterAvenue
Est.1962
VarsityArmy&Navy
1279WestchesterAvenue
Est.1938
WELCOME
NEWMEMBERS
George &
Annabelle Leigh Andersen
Jordan Copeland
Sarita Eisenstark
Michael Froning
Wendy Bailey Jacobellis
Bernard Kaplan
Fred Mazelis
Kim Neall
Maureen Ann Ocasio
Joel Pomerantz
Jeffrey Reuben
Jennifer Seda
Susanna Taylor
SOCIETY
PUBLICATIONS:
Autographedcopy,add$10
Page 2 of 4
Volume 40 N umber 2
COLLECTIONSDONATIONS
TheSociety’sresearchlibrary,object,andarchivalcollectionsareagreatresource.
Wethankthosewhorecentlymadethefollowingdonations(partiallist):
ParkerGambino:6ironstoneplatescommemoratingthe100thanniversaryofNorthSide
SavingsBankandhighlightingKingsbridge,RiverdaleandSpuytenDuyvilhistory(1951).
Hebrew Home at Riverdale: Bronx Tourism Council video, “What’s Up? The Bronx!”
(1993)andbooklet,TheyWereHere–SomeBronxitesWhoHaveAchieved.(1980).
FrankHigbie:Book,SecretLivesoftheUndergroundRailroadinNewYorkCity:Sydney
HowardGay,LouisNapoleonandtheRecordofFugitives(2014).
GloriaJones:Threecigarettelighters(1940s)andaWorldWarIIJapanesebayonetwith
sheath(1943-1944).
RobertA.Simpson:Five-pointmetalstarthatmayhaveoncebeenpartofamedalor
decorativemilitaryorpatrioticelementtobewornasapinormedallion(19thorearly
J
20thcentury).
u
l
FINANCIALDONATIONS
i Cash
donations help The Society fund programming, publications, equipment purchases,
e and
build endowments. To double your donation, check with your employer for any
t availablematchinggiftprograms.Wearegratefulforthefollowingcontributions:
a
$100-$999
$10-$99
V
Vollmer-AdairAgency
SandraCardinali
e HutchinsonMetroCenter
CleanJeansDryCleaners
l MonroeCollege
BurtonCohen
a AliceGolbert
MichaelB.Collins
z SidneyHorenstein
q
EarthShareNYCGives
u
JamesJ.Houlihan
EvelynIsaac
e AutomotiveIndustries
ArthurKahn
z JoanneMastropolo
PaulG.Kelly
NorbertSander
HarveyMate
N
PatriciaMattson
$1,000-$4,999
i EdwardMcLoughlin
n
TheNewYankeeStadium
DonaldJ.Petersen
a CommunityBenefitsFund
JerroldWolfset
LloydUltan
W
o SUBMISSIONSFORTHEBRONXCOUNTYHISTORICALSOCIETYANNUALJOURNAL
h
Since1964,theBCHSJournalhasbeenoneofthepremierhistoryjournalsinthetri-state
l region.TheJournal’sarticlesareofinteresttoallwhoenjoyaccountsofpeople,business
events,
Cmercantile gain, defending the nation’s interest, or the love of The Bronx. As an
ongoing
tradition for Bronxites to share their personal experiences, The Society is
a NancySerra-Spencer–4photographsofEdgewaterCamp,1920s.
r acceptingarticlesforitsJournal.DoyouhaveaBronxstorytoshare?Kindlysendinyour
o articleinMicrosoftWordformatalongwith2-4imagesat300dpiasemailattachmentsto
Make sure you include your contact
l [email protected].
informationandashortbio.
e
Blacksinthe
ColonialBronx:
ADocumentary
History
$18.00
TheBronx:
Then&Now
$21.99
BEQUESTS
W
i You can support The Society's work by means of a bequest. The following paragraph is
s suggested for your convenience, for insertion in your will: “I give and devise and
e bequeath, to The Bronx County Historical Society, located at 3309 Bainbridge Avenue,
mThe Bronx, New York 10467, incorporated with the New York State Board of Regents,
a [inserttheamountofmoneyordescribethepersonalpropertyorrealestate],tobeused
n forthegeneralpurposesofTheSociety.”
J
The Bronx Historian
February 2017 – M ay 2017
Page 3 of 4
Volume 40 Number 2
CelebratingOurFutureBronxLeaders!
TheBronxHighSchoolValedictorianAwardsProgramat
theMuseumofBronxHistory
Sunday, June 4, 2017 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Join us for another opportunity to accentuate the
positive in The Bronx and to meet and honor our
future leaders. The Society’s annual program honors
valedictorians of different Bronx high schools at the
national landmark Valentine-Varian House, home of
the Museum of Bronx History.
Edgar Allan Poe
Cottage
Poe Park
Grand Concourse &
East Kingsbridge
The program begins at 1:00 PM with entertainment
and tours of the Museum of Bronx History, along
with refreshments. At 2:00 PM the awards ceremony
will commence. Each honoree will receive an
embossed certificate and a package of books about
our historic borough, published by The Society.
Please call (718) 881-8900 for more information or
sponsoirship opportunities.
Road
Owned by the New York
City Department of Parks,
it is operated by The
Bronx County Historical
Society. The house is a
member of the Historic
House Trust.
Courtesy of Daniel Hauben
EXHIBITIONS AT THE MUSEUM OF BRONX HISTORY
3266 BAINBRIDGE AVENUE & EAST 208 T H STREET
THE BRONX, NEW YORK 10467
(718) 881 - 8900
MUSEUM HOURS: SAT. 10AM - 4PM / SUN. 1PM - 5PM
(GROUP TOURS MON.-FRI. BY APPOINTMENT)
Now through April 2 nd
SPRIN G E xhibition
O pening R ECEPTION
Remembrance
of Pearl Harbor
APRIL 5 TH - 4:30PM – 7:00PM
The Bronx Goes
To War
!
Over There
America & The Great War
April 5 - October 1, 2017
The American
Presidency
óóó
Politics
&
the Bronx
Museum of Bronx
History/ValentineVarian House
3266 Bainbridge
Avenue
& East 208 th Street
Owned by The Bronx
County Historical Society,
the house is a member of
the Historic House Trust.
Its operation is made
For further information, and to rsvp for the april 5 th reception,
please contact The Society
(718) 881-8900
[email protected]
possible in part by public
funds provided through the
New York City Department
of Cultural Affairs.
TakeAWalkThroughHistoryBRONXWALKINGTOURS
Eachtourcosts$10forBCHSmembers,$20fornon-members.ContactTheSocietyat
(718)881-8900toreserveyourspot.Thetoursgenerallyrunabout2hours.
thCenturyRoots
HistoricSt.Mary’sPark&Its17
Saturday,March4,2017-11:00AM
ThecommunitysurroundingSt.Mary’sParkhasrootsdeepinBronxhistory–itwasoncepartofthe
JonasBronckfarm,settledin1639.Theparkisimportant:itisoneofsixoriginalBronxparks,described
byenvironmentalistJohnMulallyin1887as“miniatureloveliness.”BCHSProgramDirectorAngel
Hernandezwillshowtrekkersthepark,thesiteofsuchlostlandmarksastheJanes&KirtlandIron
Works,BensoniaCemetery,andtheoriginalLebanonHospital,andwillendatthenationalhistoric
landmarkSt.Ann’sChurch.TourwillstartatthenorthboundsideoftheJacksonAvenue#2
trainstationonWestchesterAvenue.Take#2or#5trainsorBronxBus#4toJacksonAvenue.
3309 Bainbridge Avenue
The Bronx, New York 10467
Phone: (718) 881-8900
Fax: (718) 881-4827
HistoricWoodlawnHeights
Saturday,April22,2017-11:00AM
WoodlawnHeightswasavillagethatwaslaidoutin1873byGeorgeOpdykeonapartoftheformer
GilbertValentinefarm.ItwaslaterextendednorthwardtotheYonkersline.Theneighborhoodtookits
namefromthehistoricWoodlawnCemeteryandnowholdsarichcollectionofvariousarchitecture,
historicneighborhoodmemorials,andanIrishtraditionthatgoesbackmanygenerations.BCHS
EducatorVivianDaviswillstartthetouratthenorthwestcornerofE.233rdStreetandWebsterAvenue
(BPgasstation).Take#2or#5trainto233rdStreet,Metro-NorthfromGrandCentraltoWoodlawn,or
Bronxbuses#16or#31toE.233rdStreetandWebsterAvenue.
www.bronxhistoricalsociety.org
FACILITIES:
Research Library
3309 Bainbridge Avenue
By Appointment
The Bronx County Archives
3313 Bainbridge Avenue
By Appointment
Museum of Bronx History/
Valentine-Varian House
3266 Bainbridge Avenue
and East 208th Street
Museum hours:
Saturdays 10AM-4PM and
Sundays 1PM-5PM.
Edgar Allan Poe Cottage
Poe Park
2640 Grand Concourse and
East Kingsbridge Road
Museum hours:
Thursdays and Fridays
10AM-3PM
Saturdays 10AM-4PM and
Sundays 1PM-5PM.
Call The Society to arrange
group tours during the week.
ENDOWED FUNDS
The Bronx County Historical
Society
encourages
the
establishment
of
named
endowment funds. Funds may
be created to support many
Society programs, or may be
established for restricted use.
The funds appear permanently
on the financial records of
The Society in recognition of
their ongoing support of its
work.
For further details, contact:
Mr. Joel Podgor, CPA
(718) 881-8900
IntheFootstepsofEdgarAllanPoe:AWalkfromPoeCottagetoHighBridge
Saturday,May20,2017-11:00AM
AlthoughtheAmericanpoetEdgarAllanPoehasbeengoneformanyyearsnow,hishomeandHigh
BridgecontinuetoserveasremindersofhisbelovedwalksinTheBronx.JoinBCHSProgramDirector
AngelHernandezona3-milewalkfromPoeCottagetoHighBridgeviaAqueductAvenue.Thetourwill
meetattheEdgarAllanPoeCottageinPoeParkontheGrandConcourseandE.KingsbridgeRoad.Take
theDor#4traintoKingsbridgeRoadortakeBronxbuses#1,#2,#9,#22,#28,#34or
MTAexpressbusBxM4fromManhattan.
FREEPUBLICLECTURESERIES
Thefollowinglectures(exceptforApril29th)willbeheldatTheBronxCountyArchiveslocated
at3313BainbridgeAvenue,TheBronx,NewYork10467.Fordirections,call(718)881-8900.
BeforetheFires
Saturday,February4,2017-1:00PM
JoinBronxauthorsRobertGumbsandFordhamUniversity’sProfessorMarkNaisonasthey
presentstheirbookBeforetheFires:AnOralHistoryofAfricanAmericanLifeintheBronxfromthe
1930stothe1960s,alongwiththeresearchthatwasdoneduringtheprocess.Theauthorswill
havecopiesoftheirbookforsaleandsigning.
NotedBronxWomen
Saturday,March18,2017-1:00PM
BCHSEducatorVivianDaviswillofferapresentationonvariouswomenwhohavecontributedto
Bronxhistorythroughouttheyears.Thepresentationwillbeillustratedandguestsare
encouragedtosharetheirownaccountsaboutwomeninBronxHistory.
GouverneurMorrisVisitingScholarsProgramPresents
CelebratingtheHistoricLegacyofSt.Ann’sChurch
Saturday,April29,2017-1:00PM
St.Ann’sEpiscopalChurch,builtanddonatedbyGouverneurMorrisJr.in1840,hasstoodthetest
oftime.Onceamodestcommunitychurch,St.Ann'sisnowlistedontheNationalRegisterof
HistoricPlacesandisdesignatedasaNewYorkCityhistoriclandmark.Continuingthe
celebrationofits175yearsinoperation,BCHSEducatorVivianDaviswillchronicletheMorris
family’shistoryandactivisminTheBronxthatcontributedtothechurch’ssurvivinglegacy.This
lecturewillbeheldatSt.Ann’sEpiscopalChurch,locatedat295St.Ann'sAvenue
Bronx,NY10458,Fordirectons,pleasecall(718)585-5632
HistoricHousesofTheBronx
Saturday,May13,2017-11:00AM
TherearemanyhistoricbuildingsstillstandinginTheBronx.Whilesomehavebeen
highlightedintheborough,othershaveyettobehonored.IncelebrationofBronxWeek,
BCHSProgramDirectorAngelHernandezwillhighlightourborough’shistorichouselegacy
withanillustratedpresentation.