The Chronicle

A Publication of

The Bronxville Historical Conservancy

FALL 2002

Bronxville, New York

A lecture sponsored by the Bronxvill Historical Conservancy October 27th at 4 p.m. Annual Membership Meeting and Reception at 5 p.m. at the Bronxville Public Library
Come listen to Stephen May, noted historian, preservationist, and expert on historic art studios. Particularly enamored with Bronxvilles early art colony, May will focus on nearly a dozen turn-of-the-century art studios that survive in the village, functioning today as living rooms, storage spaces and, in one instance, a basketball court. More about the lecture and Annual Membership Meeting inside!

"Legacy at Risk: Artists' Homes and Studios

Be my guest, says Dick!

Hes truly a southern gentlemen, and a generous one at that. This spring -- to a packed Reisinger Auditorium at Sarah Lawrence College -- Dick Jenrette offered a splendid peak into his many magnificently restored homes as the Conservancy presented its Fourth Annual Brendan Gill Lecture. Hes now opened the door to his impressive Hudson River home known as Edgewater for a members-only exclusive, the Bronxville Historical Conservancys fourth annual house tour -- the most unusual yet. The slides Dick showed on May 10 give a flavor, but do not really demonstrate the magnificence of the views across the sloping lawns with gigantic 200-year old locust, basswood and willow trees, river and the undisturbed shoreline on the western side of the Hudson. The handsome 1820 house sits on a slight peninsula, while the property extends for a full mile along the river, said Bob Riggs, Conservancy cochair who has organized the September 22nd event that includes a fast ferry ride from Yonkers, round-trip coach buses between Kingston and Edgewater, and a catered buffet supper on the return boat trip. The tour will be in the company of Dick, himself. The size of the party is limited to 100 guests, selected in the order reservations are received. Kathy Mestl, among the 300 or more guests at the Gill lecture who drooled over the slides of Jenrettes beautifully restored homes and furnishings, was ecstatic about the May 10th evening, noting that she was delighted that the Conservancy brought Dick to Bronxville: Not only does he have a quick wit and fabulous sense of humor, hes also inspiring, gracious and wonderful! Guests at the tour of Edgewater will no doubt express that same sentiment.
Dick Jenrette

Above: Will Hicock Low was a famous turn-of-the-century artist who travelled to France each year to paint his murals because he couldnt find a studio large enough in New York City. William Van Duzer Lawrence persuaded Low to be one of the first to join Bronxvilles budding art colony by offering him a studio that would accommodate his most ambitious works. From
Lawrence Park: Bronxvilles Turn-of-the-Century Art Colony

Photo courtesy of McKinney Library, Albany Institute of History & Art

An evening with Dick Jenrette

Anthony and Marianna Brittis

Kathy Bohnen

Adrienne Smith

Ruth Shearer

Peggy Coon

Sean and Andrea Abbott

Photos courtesy of Peter North

Peter Gisolfi Kathy Mestl

Suzanne Tether

n Sunday, April 7th, villagers gathered at the Bronxville Library for a very successful Literary Afternoon of Prose and Poetry co-sponsored by the Bronxville Historical Conservancy and the Bronxville Public Library. When Jayne Warman first conceived of this literary occasion to shed light on the writings of Bronxvilles earliest residents, she didnt realize that two hours wouldnt begin to do justice to the prolific writings of our early authors. A whole series of Sunday afternoons will be necessary, says she, to become familiar with the musings of this discriminating group of authors, all of whom were friends and neighbors. But it was a grand start! Mayor Nancy Hand, Marilynn Hill, Patricia Owen, John Barr, Denise DeGiaimo, Guy Longobardo and Robert Riggs joined Jayne in reading from such illustrious poets and authors -- and village residents -- as Alice Wellington Rollins, Elizabeth Bacon Custer, Tudor Jenks, Louise Beebe Wilder and more.

There is something plausible and appropriate about people of a literary and artistic turn dwelling together, and the Bronxville colony is of interest on this account...stories, verses and essays have been written there...all the colonists knew them by heart, having heard the manuscripts read by firelight long before they appeared in print. Theodore Dreiser, 1897

William Van Duzer Lawrence, though known to most as a developer and a founding father of Bronxville, was also an author in his own right. Mayor Hand read from his work, A Diary and Reminiscences Portraying the Life and Times of the Author. (1922) When Lawrence decided to purchase the 86-acre Prescott Farm, he envisioned a unique community where artists and

early authors
writers as well as upper middle class professionals and businessmen would live in close proximity and share their abundant talent. Lawrence lured them to Bronxville by subsidizing their rents and painting an idyllic view of a life of serenity for the writers and a landscape filled with subjects for the artists. Brendan Gill later wrote, as only he could, The houses in the Park are joyous, are playful; it makes one feel good simply to look at them. They do not shut themselves away from passersby....With their verandahs and bay windows and dormered towers and carved bargeboards and many patterned shingles and occasional exterior sculpture, they reach out and gather one in and prompt one to share their manifold felicities. Many of the early village authors enjoyed evenings at a clubhouse known as the Casino that stood on the hillside just above the village tennis courts. It was built as a gathering place for the artists and literati and for the general enjoyment of the colony members. There were many events there including readings, entertainments, musicales, lectures and simple social gatherings. Surely many afternoons of poetry and prose would be enjoyed there if it were still standing today.
from Jayne Warmans introductory remarks at A Literary Afternoon of Prose and Poetry. April 7, 2002

ne of the items now on track for the Local History Room at the Bronxville Library is a project to create a computerized catalogue of ten years of interviews of Bronxville citizens conducted as a part of the Living History of Bronxville series. The Living History project was the brainchild of Elizabeth Schoen who died in 1991 at the age of 95. At 84 Elizabeth earned a bachelors degree from the College of New Rochelle and in her ninth decade wrote a column for the Review Press Reporter entitled, A View From the Nineties, double entendre intended. Fifty years separated our birth dates, but we were close friends. Her persuasive powers convinced me to initiate the series and conduct the interviews. Little did I imagine they would go on for more than ten years. During this time Peter North has been the loyal and capable camera man.

LIVING HISTORY
Living History of Bronxville Series to be Catalogued and Stored In the Local History Room of the Library
BY MARCIA LEE from Florida to be interviewed -- the second time, because he thought the ending could be improved. John Mack Carter, E. Virgil Conway, Barry Sullivan, Joe Rice and Joy Kilbourn were also featured that year. One of the most interesting themes was the series on The Bronxville Clergy. Rarely is there an opportunity to hear candid interviews from the clergy on how challenging it can be to serve a congregation or parish in Bronxville. Among those interviewed were Monsignor James J. Connolly, Father Christopher L. Webber, Dr. Pinckney C. (Buddy) Enniss, Dr. James C. Zwernemann, Rev. Charles J. Minifie and Florence Steen, who was the First Reader at the Christian Science Church at the time. Sarah Underhill and George Shively, Jr., speaking for the early 1980s, had similar recollections of the gathering spot, seeming to prove the old adage, the more things change the more they stay the same.

Marcia Lee

In year three (1993-1994) the theme was Captains of Industry, and Bronxville has had some outstanding ones. Marvin Bower, former chairman of McKinsey and Company, twice flew

In the second year the theme was Leaders of Bronxville Organizations. Some of the individuals interviewed that year were Jennie Rabsey, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce; Pauline Atwood, past president of the League of Women Voters; Bob Marshall, former president of the Lawrence Park Association; Bissie Jansen, founder of the local Hospice; and Mark Rollins, former president of the Bronxville Rotary.

On average, seven to eight people a year have been featured, bringing the grand total to 84 as of March 2002. Each year has had a theme except for the first year when long-time residents such as Frieda Riggs, Corky Frost, Lucille Pickwick, Peter Bertine and George Lawrence, grandson of William Van Duzer Lawrence,were interviewed.

Other topics have been: Leaders of Village Institutions (Roger Dvorak, president of Lawrence Hospital; Mary Huber, village historian; Bill Regan, village administrator; and Roxane Campagna, director of the Bronxville Library). In addition, the series has covered Poets, Writers, and Artists (Art Peters, Marilynn Hill, Amy Unfried, Randy Frost, John Corry and John Barr), and Reporters and News Broadcasters (Jim Walker, Mary Civiello, Madeline Oden, and Nancy Vittorini.) Efforts are also underway to capture on tape all the past mayors. To date, Don Schoen, Sheila Stein, Bill Murphy and Nancy Hand have been videotaped, as have some of the former presidents of the two colleges in Bronxville, Dr. Alice Ilchman and Dr. Ralph Schultz.

And some people are just such characters in their own right that they deserve a special interview. Thus Mary Holland is captured on tape relating the story of a solo flight she piloted in the thirties, the last few miles of which she said were flown on fumes.

For the Centennial Year (1998-1999) a special series entitled Growing Up in Bronxville was undertaken. Starting with the 1930s, two or three people per decade who had attended Bronxville High School were interviewed. Gail Ward, Bob Riggs and Pricilla Hawkins represented the 1950s and confirmed that beer parties at the Scout Field were very much in vogue then. Peter Doyle, Andy Paul and Jill Rappaport, who spoke for the 60s and 70s, and

Over $2,000 has been donated by generous Bronxville citizens to cover the costs of storing the tapes in the Local History Room. Eloise Morgan, Bronxville village historian and Roxane Campagna, director of the Bronxville Library, and I will be researching the best way to create a computerized index to cross reference individuals by the organizations in which they have been involved. We are also researching the feasibility of converting the video tapes to DVDs. Someday, it is hoped, this index will be available on the Bronxville Library website.

The big decision now is the theme for year 2003. Local business merchants and Bronxville medical doctors seem to be at the top of the list, but your ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Appreciating Bronxville's Historic Artists' Studios

Bronxville has one of the largest concentrations of late-19th-century American artists' studios in the country, and the preservation and appreciation of this unique legacy will be the subject of a slide lecture sponsored by the Conservancy for its members this fall. Stephen May, an independent historian, writer, and lecturer about art, culture and historic preservation, will speak to Bronxville Historic Conservancy members preceding the group's annual meeting on Sunday, October 27th in the Bronxville Library's Yeager Community Room. In his presentation, "Legacy at Risk: Artists' Homes and Studios," May discusses and shows slides of some of the more than 250 extant American artists' homes and studios he has identified along with examples of artwork created in them. He examines various preservation strategies for both public and private properties and explores various ways to interpret such sites. For his Bronxville appearance, May will focus on nearly a dozen turn-ofthe-century art studios that survive in the village, functioning today as living rooms, storage spaces and, in one instance, a basketball court. A retired lawyer with an extensive career in government, Stephen May has made a second career from his fascination with For his Bronxville appearance, May historic artists studios. He will focus on nearly a dozen turn-of- has lectured extensively at museums and historical the-century art studios that survive societies throughout the in the village. country. His writings have been published in periodicals such as American Artist, American History, Art & Antiques, Smithsonian Magazine, Travel & Leisure and many others. The annual business meeting and reception will follow Mays lecture. BY ELOISE MORGAN

for Dorothy Brennan,

Authors are putting the final touches on their articles for The Bronxville Journal, volume II, which is scheduled for publication this winter. Volume II will concentrate on the last century of Bronxville history when the incorporated village became a magnet for both individuals and institutions seeking desirable homes in the metropolitan region. Bronxville has always been recognized as a haven for artists and successful business executives, but it has also attracted a number of more flamboyant figures such as circus and burlesque magnate Samuel Alexander Scribner, and the colorful and controversial late-night television star, Jack Paar, two individuals who will be featured in the upcoming issue. The special character of our picturesque turn-of-the-century hideaway also caught the attention of well-known author Theodore Dreiser, whose reflections on Bronxville are a far cry from the raw edges of society he exposed in his most famous work, Sister Carrie. Dreisers article will be reprinted in volume II. We'll also read about the early years of Concordia College and a littleknown connection between the architectural origins of the oldest college in our community and the legendary landmark, Ellis Island. From the greatgreat granddaughter of Sarah and William Van Duzer Lawrence, we'll gain new insights into the establishment of Sarah Lawrence College -- an especially timely subject as that institution approaches its seventy-fifth anniversary. And finally, as in volume I, a variety of rich illustrations will help transport us back visually as well as mentally into the history of the village. Members of the Conservancy will receive a free copy of The Bronxville Journal as part of their membership package. Additional copies will be available for purchase.

Perspectives on the Past

BY MARILYNN WOOD HILL

Shes a living legend. No wonder Dorothy Brennan says yes! anytime the Conservancy calls upon her for energy and enthusiasm. Her love of Bronxville is unending, and she would do just about anything to preserve the character and charm she found when she moved here long ago. Over the years Dorothy has focused her attention on what she sees as Bronxville's best interests -- often in the area of conserving the physical environment of the village. Elected a trustee in 1982 and again in 1984, she fought for conserving open space and developing the village to appropriate scale. When the Scout Council announced it would no longer support Bronxville's Girl Scout cabin, Dorothy offered to manage it free of charge -- which she has done for more than 15 years! She also has been a supporter of projects for children and teens, a voice for seniors and others who might feel the pinch of rising property taxes and an indefatigable champion of animal rights. Her passion for the causes she advocates has made her unafraid to take strong public stands, even at the risk of being controversial. Countless years of service have made Dorothy a familiar and well-loved figure to many in Bronxville. On occasion she has served as the Conservancy's welcoming hostess, greeting guests at our annual lectures, and, most recently, assisting in the sale of lecturer Dick Jenrette's book, Adventures With Old Houses, from which the Conservancy profited handsomely. She is one volunteer who defines the word committed, said Patty Dohrenwend, chair of the Conservancys Who Was Who committee, noting it is people like Dorothy Brennan who count most in Bronxvilles history.

Theres no place like home...

Around 1900, gentlemen golfers grumbling about the long one-horse trolley car ride home, decided to build a golf course closer to where they lived, and thus, the origin of SIWANOY COUNTRY CLUB, now celebrating its 100th year. The adopted son of Anna Lawrence Bisland, beat poet LAWRENCE FERLINGHETTI, said no to Californias invitation to become the states poet laureate. Ferlinghetti did serve, however, as San Franciscos first poet laureate.

...OldNews...

The lavish Tweed Courthouse built by the larcenous old political boss in the late 1800s, (and was almost a home to the Museum of the City of New York), was constructed with marble from ALEXANDER MASTERTONS quarry in Tuckahoe, New York. On a patriotic note: one of the 12 eagles from Grand Central Station stood guard at 11 Eastway in Bronxville for 70 years. In 1997, the Grand Pr family returned the eagle to its original nest, donating the national symbol to Metro-North Railroad for refurbishment and reinstallment in the Manhattan terminal.

Published by the Bronxville Historical Conservancy, Fall 2002 NANCY VITTORINI, editor Submissions welcome!

The Chronicle

Stephen May Legacy at Risk: Artists Homes & Studios

October 27th, 4:00 p.m.

Save the date!

The Bronxville Public Library Reception & Annual Membership Meeting follows at 5:00

The Bronxville Historical Conservancy

P O. Box 989 . Bronxville, NY 10708 established in 1998 to further the understanding and appreciation of the history and current life of the village of Bronxville, New York. The Conservancy furthers its mission through the special events that foster an awareness of the and lends its support for projects designed to strengthen and preserve those legacies. The Bronxville Historical Conservancy was

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presentation of programs, publications, lectures and villages architectural, artistic and cultural heritage