Fall/Winter 2000
| Volume 6 | No. 8 |
Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route | Yorktown Memory Day - November 4 | Fall Foliage Walk at Sylvan Glen - October 14 | How Could We Forget? | Resource Information | Report from the Landmark Preservation Committee | Volunteers Needed
Washington Rochambeau Revolutionary Route
Summary of Lower Hudson Conference’s Westchester-Rockland Planning Meeting: April 12,2000
Host: Historical Society of Rockland County, New City, NY.
The lower Hudson River Valley is streaked with layers of history and heritage. Like its revealing geology- from pre-history to the turn of a new millennium- here, every community contains the strata of evocative stories, structures and paths marking some historic period, event, or family grouping. It is in large part the mission of our local historical agencies to see these identified, documented, preserved and interpreted.
Celebrating the anniversary of the American Revolution gives many of our region’s historic sites & resources a new opportunity to investigate and illuminate the past for an eager new public of citizens and visitors, alike. The American Revolution- once the only topic of historic proportions in the Hudson Valley- has most recently been eclipsed by grass roots social history- especially the engaging, multicultural stories of the19th and early 20th centuries. Today’s public historians and curators understand how to layer poignant, personal stories of the revolutionary period with historical evidence of freedom’s battlegrounds. The sites and sounds of the American Revolution are again "fresh" and "real" to the Hudson Valley audiences of the 21st century.
It is in light of this re-interest that our region’s historical societies and historic sites are collaborating to plan for a many-layered, multi-year celebration of our communities’ parts in the Revolution. Lower Hudson Conference’s 200 member organizations form a battery of heritage destinations from Manhattan and the Bronx, through Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess counties (and neighboring Fairfield, CT) on the east side of the Hudson, and south through Ulster, Orange and Rockland counties (and neighboring New Jersey) on the west.
Since the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route (W3R) threads through communities in Westchester and Rockland Counties, we thought we’d take a look at the resources and existing raw materials available to all of us in planning for a regional interpretation.
We started by holding a planning meeting hosted by the Historical Society of Rockland County, in New City. 35 representatives of 25 organizations met on the afternoon of April 12, to identify their parts in the W3R, following Dr. James M. Johnson’s review of the regional plans for the 225th anniversary, and the local, lower Hudson context for the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route. What part could Westchester and Rockland County sources play in linking and interpreting existing pieces of the story and in literally linking trails and sites, so as to have an identifiable route in place by 2006?
Much like the 6000 soldiers who marched along the New York portion of the route, the resources we need to plan for the revolutionary commemorations come from many parts and offer differing sorts of expertise. Archaeological and archival research surveys, mapping, imaging and trail building all lie ahead- to be followed by interpretive program design, signage, exhibitions and public events.
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Yorktown Memory Day - November 4th
The first Yorktown Memory Day will be held on Saturday, November 4 at the Field Home on Catherine Street. The event, which will run from 10 A.M. to 4 P.M., will provide an opportunity for Yorktowners to share memorabilia, antiques, photos, post cards, documents etc. that may have been packed away in boxes in attics and basements for years. Before these items are lost forever, the Yorktown Historical Society hopes to encourage Yorktown residents to pull them out and put them on display for others to enjoy. For those who are new to the area, Yorktown Memory Day offers an opportunity to learn about the Town’s history. Oral histories from those who have lived in the community for 50 or more years are also being sought. There are many seniors who have wonderful memories of how the town looked in the 30’s, 40’s, and 50’s before rapid development changed the community from local farms, small intimate communities and summer homes to a populous urban community. Individuals who wish to donate an oral history can make a tape at home, or come to the event and tape their story with the help of a volunteer. Students are invited to prepare and display special projects. The Yorktown Historical Society hopes to have enough scanners, copy machines and tape recorders on hand to archive the displays expected from Yorktown residents past and present. Businesses, organizations and individuals are all welcome to share their history on November 4th. Tables will be available for displays. If you would like to volunteer please respond by mail to Yorktown Historical Society, POB 355, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598
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Fall Foliage Walk at Sylvan Glen - October 14
Yorktown has a new Park and Nature Preserve, Sylvan Glen, located in Mohegan Lake off Lexington Avenue. The park is also the site of Yorktown’s largest industry - the Mohegan Quarry - and the ruins of old buildings, abandoned carved stone, ready for installation, continue to mark the site. An 1800’s lime kiln has also been discovered within the park’s boundaries. On Saturday, October 14 at 10 A.M. (Oct 21st rain date) the Yorktown Historical Society will sponsor a walk at the park to the quarry and the limekiln. The walk, which is of moderate difficulty, is expected to take approximately 2 1/2 hours with stops to view fall foliage and historic sites. Meet at the foot of Morris Lane (off Lexington Avenue )at 9:45. Walk will begin promptly at 10A.M.
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Our feature story of the Winter/Spring 2000 newsletter, "History On The Feminine Side", failed to mention a very important person. Naida Jackson, a life member of the Yorktown Historical Society, was the first and only female Assessor of Yorktown! She was appointed in January 1969 and served on a three-person Board of Assessors with Howard Orneck and Frank Sofo. Sorry Nai…!!
Another regrettable omission was that of Helen Gelston, who was the first Court Stenographer for the Town of Yorktown. Helen proudly served under Judge Roy Palmer.
Both of these women spoke to me personally about my mess-up and I’m happy they came forward!
If you know of anyone else we should include in Female Firsts of Yorktown, please e-mail me at funnyfolk1@aol.com.
Linda Kiederer
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The Kitchawan Institute is Westchester’s newest not-for-profit educational center, located on Route 134 in Yorktown. They restore your old family photos. For further information call 914-923-2001 or visit their website at www.kitchawan.com
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Report from the Yorktown Landmark Preservation Committee
We are happy to report that we have made significant progress with the town board and planning board related to the Historic Landmark Site known as the "Hallock House Landmark Site". This is on Hanover Road and the development is known as Dorchester Heights. In May we informed the Town Board, Planning Board and Developer that the Yorktown Landmark Preservation Law required the developer to provide the Yorktown Landmark Preservation Committee with a certificate of appropriateness. We had to struggle thru many meetings to make our case that the Property (1.92 acres) house and barn were the designated landmark. We think we have succeeded.
We are also happy to report that we have submitted to the Town a recommendation for a scenic road law, an update to the 25 year old Landmark Preservation Law and we are recommending a pubic hearing related the 10 new landmarks we suggest be declared in the town. Please show your support and write your town board in support of these important matters.
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The Yorktown Museum is looking for volunteers to help setup a research center at the museum. Volunteers are needed to help organize materials, scan photos and enter text into the computer. Please contact Adele Hobby or Nancy Augustowski at 962-2970.
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