The Chronicle

A Publication of FALL 2010

This man is back in the hospital, permanently. Know where? See inside.

Bronxville, New York

INSIDE
Nichols Brothers Reunited at the OSilas Gallery 50 paintings by former Bronxville residents are a must see! The Return Of The Neighbor Eliot Vestner, former Bronxville resident, will discuss his book, Meet Me Under The Clock at Grand Central, on Sunday, November 7 at 3:00 pm, at the Library.
Who Says You Cant Repeat The Past? Bronxvilles popular history, Building A Suburban Village, has been reprinted and will be available for purchase in early December. Hudson River Cruise Draws Record Crew 150 Conservancy members and guests cruised lower Manhattan and visited Governors Island and Battery Park City. Art Committee Update Acquisitions, visitations and hospitalizations. Memorial Day, More To Celebrate Conservancys expanded involvement in the weekend festivities is highly successful. Treasure Mapping New Conservancy project develops computer generated maps of Bronxvilles often overlooked treasures its landscapes.

THE NICHOLS BROTHERS ART EXHIBITED TOGETHER IN BRONXVILLE FOR THE FIRST TIME
The OSilas Gallery at Concordia College is the site of an unprecedented assemblage of paintings by Hobart and Spencer Nichols, brothers who followed very Henry Hobart Nichols different paths to find their pictorial language, but who also maintained very close family ties throughout their lives. The painters both
Kate Martin, KM Photography

lived in Bronxville Hobart from 19101962 and Spencer from about 19111922 and again 1932-33 (after a fire destroyed his home and studio in Kent, Connecticut). Both became members of the vibrant artist Spencer Baird Nichols community that flourished in the village in the first half of the twentieth century.
Continued on page 3

Dear Members:
The fall season started out with a bang. Over 150 members participated in the Conservancys ninth boat trip on the Hudson River, this year heading south to Battery Park City and to Governors Island. It was a wonderful day and we have received a great deal of positive feedback. Coming up on October 24th, the Conservancy is hosting a lecture and private view of The Nichols Brothers exhibition at Concordia Colleges OSilas Gallery. Our Annual Meeting will be held during the cocktail reception. Breaking tradition, our annual historic House Tour has been postponed until the spring or fall 2011; there simply were too few Sundays available this fall to slot the House Tour into an already tight schedule. The Board felt that three big events close together would be too much. Please be assured that we are committed to retaining our favored traditions, while at the same time initiating new events and in new venues. We are always open to suggestions. We hope to see you on October 24th. Sincerely, Jayne Warman and Robert Wein Co-Chairs

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

Eliot Vestner, Author of Meet Me Under The Clock at Grand Central, To Speak at Library on November 7, at 3:00 pm.
ormer Bronxville resident during the 30s and 40s and 50s, Eliot Vestner, will discuss his book and his life in Bronxville on Sunday, November 7, at 3:00 pm in the Yeager Room at the Bronxville Public Library. Vestner, a former grade school classmate of Bronxville Historical Conservancy Co-Chair Bob Wein and college and law school contemporary of Conservancy Co-Founder Bob Riggs, will focus his remarks on life in the Village during the Depression, World War II and early Cold War years.

THE NICHOLS BROTHERS ART EXHIBITED

Continued

Vestners historical perspective of Bronxville during very difficult times is invaluable, states Bob Riggs. Meet Me Under The Clock at Grand Central, a chapter of which first appeared in Vol. 3 of The Bronxville Journal, is an honest, amusing and enlightening family history and memoir. In addition to Vestner's memories of his own past, the book is in great part the Young Vestner tending the Victory biography of his parents, Garden in Bronxville in World War II. Priscilla and Eliot Sr., whose lives are traced through contemporary documents, including Priscilla's diaries and her letters to her husband. This is a rare opportunity for Conservancy members to get a clear, historical glimpse into Bronxville life in the 30s, 40s and 50s. Please join us!

The exhibition, The Nichols Brothers: A Dialogue in Art and Life, opened at the gallery on September 8th and includes about fifty works from private collections as well as museums and galleries. Curated by Conservancy Board member, Sarah Underhill, and Spencer Nichols granddaughter, Barbara Sussman, the works on view vividly demonstrate the unique way each artist handled paint, even as they depicted similar subjects.
Co-curators Barbara Sussman (left) and Sarah Underhill before their presentation at the September 16th opening of The Nichols Brothers exhibition at the OSilas Gallery.

Eliot Vestner with his wife Louise

The exhibition is accompanied by a richly illustrated catalogue that was underwritten and published by the Conservancy. The curators have each contributed essays to the catalogue that reveal a great deal of new biographical material and personal recollections from the Nichols descendants. It is a valuable addition to the Conservancys much-acclaimed publications that seek to carry out the organizations mission to foster an awareness of the Villages rich cultural heritage.

Building A Suburban Village Reprinted

ronxville's popular history, Building A Suburban Village, published during the Village's centennial celebration in 1998, will be available for purchase once again in early December. The richly illustrated, 352-page book tells the story of the development of Bronxville, neighborhood by neighborhood, from a sparsely settled 19th-century farm community to one of the nation's premiere metropolitan suburbs. Researched and written by a team of 33 local historians led by Editor Eloise L. Morgan, now Village Historian, the book was published by the Bronxville Centennial Committee, Inc., which became the Bronxville Historical Conservancy. Although still frequently requested at local bookstores, the first printing of the volume sold out nearly two years ago. (One copy has been on sale on eBay this summer for $330 -- over six times its original sale price!) The Conservancy has commissioned a reprint edition from the same company that did the original book, and copies are expected to be available for purchase from the Conservancy through its website, www.bronxvillehistoricalconservancy.org or at Womrath's Bookstore after Thanksgiving.

Henry Hobart Nichols, January Thaw (detail), Collection of Karen and Tim O'Neill

Photos by Jayne Warman

Left to right: Helen Nichols Jacobs, Patricia Miranda, Barbara Sussman, Margaret Nichols Bunnell

Spencer Baird Nichols, Gawels Farm (detail), Collection of William Spencer Nichols

Annual Historic Hudson River Cruise A Winner

By Liz Folberth

n September 26th, a cool cloudy Sunday, 150 Conservancy members and their guests cruised down the Hudson River to explore the history of two of New York Citys most interesting landmarks, Governors Island and Battery Park City. After boarding the fast ferry SeaStreak in Yonkers and enjoying a buffet lunch, the group took in the view of Manhattan from the Hudson, including the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, before disembarking at the World Financial Center Ferry Terminal to explore sites such as Governor Nelson Rockefeller Park and the Irish Hunger Memorial. During the cruise, the group was treated to a fascinating talk by Conservancy member Charles J. Urstadt, who has been called the Father of Battery Park City, a development that now houses over 10,000 people and provides space for thousands more who work in its famed World Financial Center. Urstadt, who was appointed Chairman of the Battery Park City Authority by Governor Rockefeller in 1968, and became full-time Chief Executive Officer in 1973, is the author of Battery Park City, The Early Years. Urstadts story of how Battery Park City was built on 100 acres of landfill at the southern tip of Manhattan in the 1970s and 80s is a compelling saga of how close hard economic times and even harder political machinations came to leaving it all on the drawing boards.

Next stop was Governors Island in the heart of New York Harbor, only 800 yards from Lower Manhattan and even closer to Brooklyn. There, at the Chapel of St. Cornelius, the group was addressed by Dr. Ann Buttenweiser, author of Governors Island: The Jewel of New York Harbor. Dr. Buttenweisers talk brought to life much of the rich history of the Island. For almost two centuries Governors Island was a military basehome to the U.S. Army and Coast Guard. Due to changing needs in operations, the Coast Guard closed its facilities on Governors Island in 1996. New Yorks leaders recognized the Islands potential, and in 2003 the federal government sold most of the Island to the people of New York for one dollar. Today, the Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation oversees 150 acres of the Island, while the National Park Service manages the balance, which includes two 1812-era forts. With the talk as historical background, small groups set off on a self-guided walking tour, and some by bikes, to explore the Island at their leisure. The trip back to Yonkers on the SeaStreak featured cocktails and hors doeuvres and delightful conversations about the days journeys into the past.

Photos by Nancy Vittorini

Art Committee Update

In early June four paintings by the Bronxville artist Milne Ramsey (1846-1915) entered the Conservancys collection. The largest, a boat scene [see photo], was painted in 1911, four years after he left his home in Lawrence Park for Philadelphia. The other three works are small and charming landscapes painted on cigar box lids, a practice Ramsey adopted in his later years. Although Ramsey is probably best known for his carefully arranged still lifes, these new acquisitions reflect a turn to a freer, more expressive style that records the immediacy of his vision. The paintings now hang in Village Hall.

By Jayne Warman

The summer months were very busy and exciting for the Conservancys Art Committee.
drawings was for a dinosaur fountain designed for Central Park that was never constructed. Richard knew of the fountain proposal but had never seen a rendering of the design. It was a revelation for him and indeed for Rhoda as well. Charles Knight was a prominent and widely known sculptor and artist in his day. Sadly, his Bronxville ties are rarely if ever mentioned in earlier biographies of the artist. Richard himself was not aware of the artists colony that flourished in Bronxville in the last century and is planning to include a section on Knight and his Bronxville days in his book a publication well worth waiting for! A serendipitous introduction to another artists granddaughter earlier this year led to a treasure trove of untapped family history, unknown works of art and photographs. Barbara Sussman, an artist and fine arts appraiser, can also claim Spencer Nichols (1875-1950) as her grandfather and Hobart Nichols (1869-1962) as her greatuncle; both brothers lived in Bronxville at one time or another. The beneficial result of this contact has produced a flurry of email exchanges, visits to Spencers two daughters and shared information between the Nichols families and the Conservancy, culminating in an exhibition of Hobarts and Spencers paintings at Concordia Colleges OSilas Gallery (see article, p. 1). The curators of the show, BHC board member Sarah Underhill and Barbara Sussman, have written a catalogue of the exhibition that has been underwritten and published by the Conservancy. Aside from the beautiful paintings each illustrated in the catalogue there are details about the artists that have never been documented (and many that were recorded erroneously). The catalogue is just the beginning of what will no doubt be a long-term relationship between the Conservancy and the Nichols families.

Conservancy Events Contribute To Successful Village Memorial Day Weekend

According to Conservancy Co-Chair, Jayne Warman, an originator of the historical scavenger hunt concept, we felt this was a fun way to expand the knowledge and understanding of Bronxville history for our young people. Lots of children participated in the Cues & Clues Scavenger Hunt and each won a prize. Many were accompanied by parents or grandparents, who found the hunt just as interesting as their children.

Milne Ramsey, Ships at Harbor, 12 x 18 inches. This marinescape is one of four paintings recently acquired by the Conservancy.

Charles R. Knights (1874-1953) granddaughter, Rhoda Knight Kalt, came to Bronxville in early July to visit her grandfathers Lawrence Park house and studio at 67 Park Avenue. Accompanying her was Richard Milner, a Charles Darwin scholar and historian, who is authoring a biography of Knight due to be published next year. Thanks to the kindness of Becky and Bill Munro, current owners of 67 Park Avenue, Rhoda and Richard were able to see firsthand what was once Knights Bronxville studio; it has remained essentially unchanged since the artist sold it in 1920. Flanking the front door are two lions heads sculpted by Knight when he built the house. [see photo] Rhoda and Richard then went to the Bronxville Library, where they found a veritable gold mine of information for Richards book and many visual delights for Rhoda. Knights sculpture of a pygmy elephant in the Library collection will be illustrated in the forthcoming biography, as well as several pencil sketches by the artist from Richard Milner and Rhoda Knight Kalt in front of the Local History Charles R. Knights former Bronxville home and studio. Room collection. The lions heads were sculpted by the artist when the One of these house was built in 1908.

hat more could you ask for on Memorial Day weekend? Beautiful weather. Friends and neighbors getting together. And lots to do in the Village, thanks, in part, to the Bronxville Historical Conservancy. As we have in the past, we helped lead the annual parade through the Village and assembled a stunning array of antique automobiles that gave young and old a fascinating glimpse into our past. The Conservancy also hosted a historical stroll through the Village, guided by a Conservancy-produced booklet, including illustrations as well as descriptions of the sites. The selfguided tour began at One Pondfield Road, site of Bronxvilles first train station and post office. Walking along Pondfield Road to Cedar Street, one passes the sites of the Hotel Gramatan, John Kanes blacksmith shop, the Casino, the first public school (its not where you think it was), Tinkers Alley, private homes and Bronxvilles first Village Hall. The tour ends at the present day railroad depot. While a highlight for many on the Memorial Day weekend, anyone can take the tour anytime of the year. More than 350 people have taken the tour since Memorial Day. Booklets are available at Village Hall or the Library.

And, lastly, a newly cleaned and conserved portrait of William van Duzer Lawrence has just been returned to its rightful place in the lobby of Lawrence Hospital. The portrait was painted by Violet Oakley (1874-1961), who was a well-known artist in her day. She was a close friend of William van Duzer and Sarah Lawrence and was often asked to paint their portraits; the two largest and most commanding of these hang in Westlands, the Lawrences former home, now part of Sarah Lawrence College. While Violet lived in the area, she directed the spectacular Westchester County Historical Pageant of 1909, the hospitals first fundraiser.
Photos by Jayne Warman

While these have traditionally been part of the Village festivities, in 2010, we expanded our involvement. We introduced our Cues & Clues event for children K-5 that we hope will become as traditional as our parade of antique cars. Kids were challenged to find the historical landmarks, or hidden treasures as we call them, throughout Bronxville.

The Conservancy continues to seek archival material and works of art by Bronxvilles former artist colony painters and sculptors to add to their growing collection. Please call Jayne Warman (914) 961-6184 or email JSWarman@Gmail.com.

Photos by Jayne Warman

Defining Bronxvilles Landscape

By Nancy Hand
Although many of the activities of the Bronxville Historical Conservancy have focused on the art and architecture of the Village, a new project is underway that explores its landscape detail. Our goal is to understand what exists currently so that strategies can be developed to preserve, conserve and enhance our landscape environment in the future. The end result will be a series of maps that define the landscape of Bronxville. The mapping process will be completed in a few weeks and a summary document should be available at the beginning of next year. Village officials are looking forward to receiving the maps and recommendations, as this information will be helpful to them and members of the Planning Board as they work on updating the Villages community plan. For example, Bronxville was originally a native woodland and houses were built under a canopy of trees, many of which have been lost. Frequently, these trees were not replaced or ornamental trees were planted where canopy trees once grew. This study will help us develop a community strategy for the planting of new trees and suggest specific species that would thrive locally. A sample tree inventory in two areas of the Village will also help to identify trees which are native to the Village, thus assisting us in naturalizing our landscape in future years.

Architect Peter Gisolfi

The project entails mapping the topography, slopes, drainage and vegetation of the Village. Under the direction of architect Peter Gisolfi, two graduate students in landscape architecture are creating computer generated maps which will depict our various landscape types, zoning, land use, street patterns and run-off patterns of water.

The Chronicle
Fall 2010
Editor and Designer: Bob Scott, Ken Gudaitis Contributing Editors: Liz Folberth, Nancy Hand, Marilynn Hill, Bob Scott, Jayne Warman Contributing Photographers: Kate Martin, Nancy Vittorini, Jayne Warman Submissions welcome!

P. O. Box 989 Bronxville, NY 10708 The Bronxville Historical Conservancy was founded 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 presentation of programs, publications, lectures and special events that foster an awareness of the villages architectural, artistic and cultural heritage and lends its support for projects designed to strengthen and preserve those legacies.