The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

history

Come celebrate Richard Laster’s new memoir: … And It Went So Fast!

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Richard LasterCome celebrate Richard Laster’s new memoir: … And It Went So Fast!

Wednesday, June 24, 7:30 pm

Author talk sponsored by the Chappaqua Library (195 South Greeley Ave.)

This fascinating life story — which starts when Richard Laster, age 14, fled his home in Vienna to escape Hitler’s invasion of Austria — is full of memorable twists and turns on his route to America and eventually becoming “the most memorable man” at General Foods. All this is reflected during a span bounded by the outbreak of World War II in Europe followed by Pearl Harbor, V-Day, the growth of suburbia, Silicon Valley and the numerous sociological changes in America. And It Went So Fast is also loaded with well-tested nuggets of business advice, including the evergreen value of goal-setting.

Introductions by Senior Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe of Temple Beth El and Clinton Smith, President, New Castle Historical Society and former Chappaqua Town Supervisor

Free admission. Coffee and refreshments served. Book signing by the author.

All monies collected will go to benefit the Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center.

Cassie Ward: Encouraging Us to Celebrate New Castle’s Vibrant History

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Millie Ignelzi Photo
Millie Ignelzi Photo

By Deborah Raider Notis

As we gear up for the monumental 50th anniversary of the New Castle Historical Society in 2016, the Historical Society is ushering in a new era of growth and revitalization. Starting with a new leader. This February, public historian Cassie Ward became the new Executive Director of the Historical Society.

Ward, who has a Masters in Public History from American University, is determined to ensure that the New Castle Historical Society remains socially relevant and inviting to the community. A native New Yorker, Ward returned north after working for the Heritage Educational Services Department of the National Park Services in Washington D.C. and Virginia’s 400-acre Longbranch Plantation. With years of experience planning special events, working on historical exhibits, and revamping the Longbranch Plantation’s historical museum, Ward is particularly excited about the opportunity to embrace New Castle’s rich and colorful history.

“More than anywhere I’ve ever lived or worked before, the spirit of volunteerism is strongest in New Castle. Everyone seems so involved in the community, and the community has been overwhelmingly welcoming,” raves Ward. As Executive Director, her key role is to manage the historical society and assist committees and volunteers as they plan events.

Almost 99 percent of the New Castle Historical Society is volunteer run, and Ward enthusiastically notes that the volunteers “do a tremendous job of making the Historical Society relevant. They invest their blood, sweat, and tears into the Society.” Many of the volunteers worked with the Historical Society for decades, and they are passionately committed to the future of this program. Ward is excited to leverage their knowledge as she enhances the programs.

ghost gownAs Executive Director, Ward wants the New Castle Historical Society to be a historical and cultural center. 
One challenge will be to keep the Historical Society active outside of the Horace Greeley House. Ward plans to build on the existing educational programs and outreach activities. She wants to revamp all of the amazing programs that already exist, including the annual house tours, the Victorian Valentine’s Tea for 2nd through 4th graders, and the Chappaqua Antique Show. Next October, the Antique Show will move from the Horace Greeley House to Bell Middle School.

Currently, the Horace Greeley House is housing three exhibits. A remarkable Wedding Gown exhibit details the history of the tradition of the wedding gown with gowns from the 20th and 21st century on display.

The Curiosities of Yesteryear exhibit is a hands-on display of everyday objects–from typewriters and oil lamps to candlestick telephones–that were used throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. Finally, the Notable Neighbors in New Castle exhibit describes the history of the many famous residents of New Castle. 
Going forward, plans for an antique toys exhibit are being considered. Plus, the new executive director believes that the upcoming 2016 presidential election warrants a timely exhibit and potential discussion regarding the differences between the election process in 1872 and today.

cassie roomEncouraging children to become more involved in the history of New Castle is extremely important to Ward, who states, “For me as a historian, it is extremely important to create a new generation of historians so that we can continue the narrative.” Right now, second graders from Grafflin, Roaring Brook, and Westorchard visit the Horace Greeley House every year. She hopes to implement a story time program for young children at the Horace Greeley House. Ward wants to get children engaged at an early age so that they become invested in the vibrant history of New Castle.

And, Ward has several new ideas to energize the New Castle Historical Society. She hopes that 
the Historical Society will sponsor more walking tours throughout the town and park trails to highlight the rich history of New Castle. She would like to bring more speakers to the 
Horace Greeley House and the New Castle community.

Ward would like to team with local businesses to develop a Historical Happy Hour, during which participants attend a 20-minute presentation followed by socializing, drinks, and hors d’oeuvres. Ward also suggested a pet-focused community day, an event that was well attended when she worked at the Longbranch Plantation. Ultimately, the goal is to constantly engage the community on different levels and effectively relate to all New Castle residents.

“The New Castle Historical Society should provide services to the community that will get everyone excited about the history of New Castle,” says Ward. She hopes that the New Castle Historical Society can unite generations of community members.

And, finally, she wants to hear from the residents of New Castle. So stop in, introduce yourself, see everything that the Historical Society has to offer, and share your ideas with Cassie Ward, the new Executive Director of the New Castile Historical Society.

Deborah Raider Notis is a writer and co-owner of gamechanger, LLC. She lives near New Castle with her husband and their four boys.

Hillary Clinton’s Hometown and State Public Officials Weigh in on her Second Historical Bid

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Hillary Clinton Photo by Ari Bennett

NitaLoweyhillary by ari

“I am very pleased to hear that Hillary Clinton is running for President of the United States. It would be a tremendous honor to have a sitting President, a past President and a sitting Governor, all living in New Castle. I was humbled when Hillary swore me in as Town Supervisor of New Castle, and at the time I said that I would happily return the favor by attending her inauguration as President of the United States. I applaud her distinguished career in public service and wish her the best during the upcoming campaign.”
Robert Greenstein, Town Supervisor, Town of New Castle

“I am thrilled to hear about Hillary Clinton’s decision to run for President of the United States and to therefore become…the very first woman president!! Starting with the first time I met the Clintons after they had just moved to Chappaqua, and I was standing outside of my firm’s office (which was then located on South Greeley Avenue), and then throughout the years and the many by-chance meetings while shopping or dining out in town and of course, at all the Memorial Day Parades–I have always felt it a real honor to call Hillary Clinton my “neighbor.” And, a true neighbor she is! Hillary is a warm and friendly presence here, a wonderful role model for our daughters (and sons) and she goes above and beyond–always “shopping local” as an enthusiastic supporter of our business community and our community overall. I couldn’t be more excited!! Go Hillary… all the way to Pennsylvania Avenue!
Dawn Dankner-Rosen, President, Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce

“I am very pleased that Hillary Clinton will be running for President of the United States, both as a long-time supporter and her State Assemblyman. Secretary Clinton brings the skills we need in a President to tackle the challenges that face the United States and the world. In addition, the Clintons have played an important role in raising the profile of our region, attracting national attention. To have a sitting President of the United States as our friend and neighbor in Chappaqua would highlight the hamlet’s historic and unique charms. I believe her presidency would be a great step ahead for Chappaqua and the entire country.”
New York State Assemblyman David Buchwald, D-Mt. Kisco

“Hillary has devoted her life’s work to public service. Among her many accomplishments, Hillary was a great partner in delivering relief to New York after September 11th and health coverage for more than 6 million American children. She has advanced women’s and gay rights domestically and internationally, and effectively represented the United States on the world stage. It has been my great honor to call Hillary Clinton my friend and constituent, Senator, and Secretary of State. I will work hard to ensure that in two years, we call her “Madam President.”
Congresswoman Nita Lowey, D-New York

“Hillary Clinton has been a lifelong champion for middle-class families, an advocate for the underserved, and a fighter for civil rights. Her record reflects the steadfast belief that every American, no matter their race, gender or ethnicity, should have the right to achieve economic security and opportunity. She is a tested leader with the resilience and experience to be a great President. I was honored to work closely with her in the Clinton Administration, during a time of historic peace, prosperity and progress for our nation. Having known and worked with her for over 20 years, I wholeheartedly endorse Hillary Clinton’s campaign for President.”
New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

“I was there the night Hillary won her first, tough bid for Senate after months of hard work. And now I hope to be there when she declares victory in November of 2016, as the first woman president-elect in the United States. Make no mistake–she’ll win. And when Hillary wins, we’ll all win. The country will have a president that values the middle class and fights for families the way Hillary has her entire career.
U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer, D-New York

“I am thrilled Hillary Clinton is running and will do everything I can to help make sure she makes history as our first woman president. I will never forget when I heard then-First Lady Clinton speak about the need to improve the lives of women and children around the globe. Her clarion call that women’s rights are human rights was heard around the world and inspired me to choose public service. I cannot wait to help her in the Senate make her vision for a better world a reality. We’re entering a new era of our history with challenges distinct from those we faced even just eight years ago. Our next president must have the intellect, passion and experience to confront what’s ahead and secure the promise of equal opportunity for every American. Hillary shares that vision for a better future, one that we believe in for families and for ourselves. It’s time for us to do what we can together to make that vision a reality for middle class families. It’s time to get to work.”
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, D-New York

Secretary Hillary Clinton’s statement announcing her long awaited for candidacy…

“I was raised with the belief that living in this country was one of the greatest blessings anyone could have.

Today, for so many families, the path to lasting prosperity is unclear.

Families have fought their way back from tough economic times. But it’s not enough — not when the average CEO makes about 300 times what the average worker makes.

Everyday Americans need a champion, and I want to be that champion.

I’ve spent my entire life standing up for women, children, families, and anyone who needed a little help along the way. That’s what this campaign will be about, and that’s what I’ll do every single day as your president.

It’s time for us to fight for people like my dad, who ran a small business and committed himself to building a better life for his family. People like my mom, who relied on the kindness of others to get through a tough childhood — and like my baby granddaughter, who deserves to grow up in a country where every single kid has the opportunity to live up to her or his potential.

This won’t be easy. And I won’t take anything for granted. I’m going to work my heart out to earn every single vote, because I know it’s your time.”

The History behind the Hamlet

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A look at back at the changing face of downtown Armonk: Photos were taken from a similar vantage point looking south from the corner of Main Street and Maple Avenue; both courtesy of the Westchester Historical Society. Photo, circa 1900.
A look at back at the changing face of downtown Armonk: Photos were taken from a similar vantage point looking south from the corner of Main Street and Maple Avenue; both courtesy of the Westchester Historical Society. Photo, circa 1900.

By Sarah Ellen Rindsberg

The roots of the tree that is Armonk run deep. Traces of ancestors pervade every aspect of the community and are gratefully embraced. Today’s inhabitants reside in some of the very structures occupied by their predecessors and the town’s children are schooled in the way it was, long before their arrival.

The first glimpse into the history of the area is visible in the names of Armonk and the Town of North Castle. Both monikers are derived from words used to denote places by the Native Americans known as the Siwanoys. Armonk, which means “the fishing place between the hills,” was founded in 1842, and is based on Armonck, the name conferred by the Siwanoys on the Byram River. The Siwanoys constructed a fort on top of the hill where IBM presides today. As settlers in lower Westchester gazed to the north they saw a castle-like structure and dubbed the area 
North Castle.

The Town of North Castle was founded by Quakers in 1736. Their original meeting house, built in 1791, still stands. “It’s a magnificent building,” Ed Woodyard relates. Woodyard, an Armonk resident who is particularly enthusiastic about recounting historical facts and anecdotes, is a vice president of the Town of North Castle Historical Society. He goes on to describe the dowels still present in the structure and the sliding door of yesteryear, used to separate men and women during prayer.

The Historical Society is an active organization in town. It is open for tours on Wednesday and Sunday and invites students from the Valhalla and Byram Hills school districts periodically. By learning about candle making, butter, herbs, blacksmithing and playing colonial games, they acquire “a hands-on idea of what life was like 250 years ago.”

In addition, the Historical Society is working in conjunction with the North Castle Public Library on a project to digitize historic newspapers. These will become a valuable resource for historians of today 
and tomorrow.

Town Historian Doris Finch Watson highlights an important structure across from the library. “It was a school, used for many years, by 
many who still live in Armonk,” she relates. This building, the former Whippoorwill School, is now an apartment building.

Woodyard is also president of a group whose mission is to “restore and resurrect” the Elijah Miller house. This building’s claim to fame is that it served as Washington’s headquarters during the Battle of White Plains.

Photo, circa 1950.
Photo, circa 1950.

An interesting story lies behind the site of IBM’s worldwide headquarters in Armonk. In 1947, the land was being considered by the U.N. as a location for its new home. Woodyard surmises that the lack of a train line nearby may have served as a deterrent. IBM’s founder, Thomas J. Watson, started building the offices in 1951.

Today, IBM is considered 
“a benevolent friend, [having] helped fund the restoration of Smith’s Tavern which dates back to 1691.” The meeting room inside the tavern–the Historical Society’s home–is “where our town fathers met in the colonial and post colonial era.”

Woodyard, a resident since 1987, fondly recalls a former town tradition–that of community luncheon. During every presidential election, townspeople would come into town to vote, and then proceed to the Methodist church to have a memorable meal which included homemade chowder, bread, pies and cakes. This began in 1860 during Lincoln’s victory and was discontinued after George Bush’s election.

Suddenly the name of Anne Hutchinson pops up in a recent conversation with Woodyard. This ardent female was “banished by the Puritans in Boston because of her radical views,” Woodward recounts. And guess where she sought refuge: in a cave, known as Anne Hutchinson’s cave, on Pond Lane in Windmill Farm.

Sarah Ellen Rindsberg enjoys gaining a wealth of historical knowledge about the hamlet of Armonk.

Pierce House – An Important Stop on the Road to Freedom

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peircehouseIn the early 1720s, Quakers migrated from Long Island to settle in and around Pleasantville. The Pierce Family made their way to the area in 1740. Quakers owned five of the seven main farms in Pleasantville during this time period.

In 1805, Joseph Pierce inherited 125 acres of property from his father, James. The home, known as Pierce House, is believed to have been built around 1813. The original house consisted of just the front two rooms of the current structure. An ardent Quaker, Joseph Pierce became a key figure in providing a safe path for slaves escaping through Westchester. Pierce House played an important role in the Underground Railroad, offering nighttime shelter for those seeking freedom.

This finely crafted, Federalist style Colonial home has undergone a number of changes over the years. The library and interior arches were added in the late 1880’s, when the house served as the Protestant Shelter for Children. During their ownership of the house, the Payne family of Reader’s Digest fame added mahogany paneling in the living room and the library. They also expanded the living space with a brick addition designed by James Renwick Thomson.

Today, this historic house has been meticulously renovated and restored while maintaining the integrity of the original period details. The residence is now a stunning home that is perfect for modern lifestyles.

For more information, contact: Amy Singer, 914-238-0505

amy.singer@raveis.com