Broadcast originally aired on Monday, May 20, 2024 at 9:30 am, on WRCR 1700AM Radio.

Mike Hays joined host Clare Sheridan to discuss his weekly history column (Nyack People and Places) in Nyack News and Views. Nyack News and Views has been sharing community news and storytelling for sixteen years, and Mike Hays has worked diligently to bring Nyack’s rich history to its readers.

A thirty-five-year resident of the Nyacks, Mike Hays grew up the son of a professor and nurse in Champaign, Illinois. He has recently retired from a long career in educational publishing with Prentice-Hall and McGraw-Hill. He is an avid cyclist, amateur historian and photographer, gardener, and dog walker. He has enjoyed more years than he cares to count with his beautiful companion, Bernie Richey. You can follow him on Instagram as UpperNyackMike.

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The Historical Society of Rockland County is a nonprofit educational institution and principal repository for original documents and artifacts relating to Rockland County. Its headquarters are a four-acre site featuring a history museum and the 1832 Jacob Blauvelt House in New City, New York.

www.RocklandHistory.org

Episode originally aired on Monday, April 15, 2024 at 9:30 am, on WRCR 1700 AM Radio

We learned all about two new local history exhibitions opening in April 2024.

First, we explored “When This You See, Remember Me: Inscribed Quilts from Rockland County” at the Historical Society of Rockland County. The exhibition's guest curator, Peggy Norris, a member of the American Quilt Study Group, Ridgewood (NJ) Historical Society, and Genealogical Society of Bergen County, discussed how, through the quilts, we can learn about local women, the times in which they lived, and their textile artistry. Peggy will also give a presentation on the quilts on Sunday, May 5, at the HSRC.

“When This You See, Remember Me” runs from April 21 to October 27, 2024, and is open to the public on Wednesdays–Fridays and Sundays, 1–4 pm, and by appointment. Admission is $5 per person and benefits the Society’s education and preservation missions.

For information, visit https://www.rocklandhistory.org/program.cfm?page=1114

Then we focused on “Creating Community 1950,” the new exhibition at the Orangetown Historical Museum & Archives. Museum Director Mary Cardenas and Curator Elizabeth Skrabonja shared how a building, baby, and business boom exploded in Orangetown in the 1950s.

“Creating Community 1950” can be seen at the historic DePew House, 196 Chief Bill Harris Way, Orangeburg. It opens on April 21 and extends through November 2024. Exhibition hours are Tuesdays & Fridays 10 am–2 pm, and Sundays, 1–4 pm. Admission is free.

For information, visit https://www.orangetownmuseum.com

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The Historical Society of Rockland County is a nonprofit educational institution and principal repository for original documents and artifacts relating to Rockland County. Its headquarters are a four-acre site featuring a history museum and the 1832 Jacob Blauvelt House in New City, New York.

www.RocklandHistory.org

Broadcast originally aired on Monday, March 18, 2024 at 9:30am on WRCR 1700AM. Host Clare Sheridan welcomed members of the Piermont Historical Society (PHS) to discuss their recent efforts to preserve and share the history of Piermont with the public.

The Piermont Historical Society is a dynamic organization ensuring that the unique history of the Village is passed down through generations of residents and shared with all of those who have an interest in this beautiful Hudson Valley.

The mission of the PHS is to preserve and protect the integrity of Piermont’s architecture, history and cultural heritage and to celebrate the history of Piermont. The vision of the Society is to make the history of Piermont a common narrative in the Village and beyond. Visit their website here: https://piermonthistoricalsociety.org/

The PHS's new film entitled "ALL ABOARD! Next Stop Piermont" will premiere at the Nyack International Film Festival on April 7, 2024.
To watch a sneak preview of the film click here: https://youtu.be/X8u9nCKSy-E?si=4gDZ9qx1OpLTxS-v

Crossroads of Rockland History is a program of the The Historical Society of Rockland County. The Historical Society of Rockland County is a nonprofit educational institution and principal repository for original documents and artifacts relating to Rockland County. Its headquarters are a four-acre site featuring a history museum and the 1832 Jacob Blauvelt House in New City, New York.
www.RocklandHistory.org

Broadcast originally aired on Monday, February 19, 2024 at 9:30 am, on WRCR 1700 AM

Did you know that the Lafayette Theater in Suffern, NY is Rockland County's only single-screen movie palace? In operation since 1924, it marks its100th anniversary this year!

With special guests Ari Benmosche and Craig Long we turned our attention to the history of the Lafayette Theater and learned about the ongoing festivities celebrating this landmark anniversary. The festivities—"100 Years of Film," showcasing classic movies from the 1910s to the 2010s—will run until March 3, 2024.

The centennial celebration will culminate with three events:
1) Metropolis - Friday, March 1, 2024, 7:30 PM

2) Neil Berg's 100 Years of Hollywood - Saturday, March 2, 2024, 7:30 PM

3) 100th Birthday - Sunday, March 3, 2024, 1:00 PM

Learn more about these events and purchase tickets at https://lafayettetheatersuffern.com.

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Crossroads of Rockland History, a program of the Historical Society of Rockland County, airs on the third Monday of each month at 9:30 am, right after the Jeff and Will morning show, on WRCR Radio 1700 AM and www.WRCR.com. Join host Clare Sheridan as we explore, celebrate, and learn about our local history, with different topics and guest speakers every month.

The Historical Society of Rockland County is a nonprofit educational institution and principal repository for original documents and artifacts relating to Rockland County. Its headquarters are a four-acre site featuring a history museum and the 1832 Jacob Blauvelt House in New City, New York.

www.RocklandHistory.org

Episode originally aired Monday, January 15, 2024 at 9:30 am on WRCR radio 1700AM.

Host Clare Sheridan welcomed Winston Perry, President of the John Green Preservation Coalition who updated us on the progress of the preservation and restoration of the John Green House in Nyack, NY.

The John Green House (JGH) is the oldest remaining Dutch Colonial Sandstone structure in the Village of Nyack NY, built by John Edward Green (1772-1842) in the year 1819. It is listed on both the New York and National Registers of Historic Places, and is a Village of Nyack Historic Landmark. In our (multi-phase, multi-year project) vision, we will return the building to its beautiful appearance from the early 1800s during which it served as business home for John Green, sloop captain, lumber dealer, steamboat entrepreneur, church founder and turnpike trustee. As the house is restored and made safe, it will be architected - both inside and out - to serve the community in exciting ways.

Winston C. Perry (Jr.), President - After a 50-year career as an architect, Mr. Perry is devoting his time in retirement to local history and historic preservation. A lifetime resident of Nyack, he is a Trustee of the Historical Society of the Nyacks, a former member of the Rockland County Historic Preservation Board, and former Village Historian of Upper Nyack. A life-long small boat sailor on the Hudson, he is especially interested in Hudson River history.

www.RocklandHistory.org

Episode originally aired on Monday, December 18, 2023 at 9:30 AM, on WRCR Radio 1700AM

Jennifer Rothschild, the HSRC's director of programming, joined host Clare Sheridan to talk about “Winter Wonderland: The 47th Annual Holiday Exhibition.” The exhibition celebrates winter and its gift-giving holidays by showcasing items from the HSRC collections that include children’s toys, books, and games; holiday cards and décor; snow-themed works of art; and more. They also discussed the holiday candlelight tours of the historic Jacob Blauvelt House.

To learn more about “Winter Wonderland” exhibition, click here.
To learn more about the Candlelight Tours, click here.

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If you can’t listen live, locally, on WRCR 1700AM, another great way to hear our program is to to download the TuneIn Radio app (Apple Store or the Google Android store) and then search for WRCR 1700. Using this app, one can listen on a handheld device, a smart speaker or a computer. And as always, the broadcast will be available as a podcast, on the HSRC Website, or on all major podcast platforms.

www.RocklandHistory.org

Broadcast originally aired on Monday, November 20, 2023 at 9:30 AM, on WRCR Radio 1700 AM

We turned our attention to the Soap Box Derby. James Cassetta (History Librarian at the Pearl River Public Library) joined host Clare Sheridan to chronicle the derby's rollercoaster history—from its national origins to Pearl River’s thrilling ride; from its post–World War II arrival to a glorious rebirth and a second farewell in the 2000s.

Many of Mr. Cassetta's history presentations can be found at the Pearl River Library's Facebook Page. His recent presentation about the Soap Box Derby can be viewed here: https://www.facebook.com/100009042950014/videos/1358503054803533/


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Many of the HSRC's radio broadcasts have been archived and are available as podcasts on the HSRC website, and on all major podcast platforms.

The Historical Society of Rockland County is a nonprofit educational institution and principal repository for original documents and artifacts relating to Rockland County. Its headquarters are a four-acre site featuring a history museum and the 1832 Jacob Blauvelt House in New City, New York.

www.RocklandHistory.org

Broadcast originally aired on Monday, October 16, 2023 at 9:30am on WRCR 1700AM.

Frank Eberling and his brother Ray Eberling, New City natives, joined host Clare Sheridan for a discussion about the early days of New City and the wagon that their grand father used to carry mail on New City’s Rural Free Delivery routes at the turn of the 20th century.

Since the 1970s, when it was donated to our collection by the late Dr. Anthony Pavia, D.C., of New City, the HSRC has had in our possession this horse-drawn wagon. Ray and Frank are now working with the HSRC to restore it for display at the History Center in New City.

About the guests: Ray Eberling is a retired US Air Force lieutenant-colonel who holds a master’s in American studies from the University of Heidelberg (Germany) and has volunteered for many years with the University of Florida’s Samuel Proctor Oral History Program. Frank Eberling has been a filmmaker in South Florida for fifty years, producing more than 3,000 film and television broadcast projects as producer, writer, director, or cinematographer. He is also the author of the New City-based mystery novels Low Tor, Demarest Kill, and Jimmy Van Meter's Last Refrain.

Ray and Frank Eberling will be visiting the HSRC with a presentation on this project: "The Eberling Mail Wagon: Rural Free Delivery in New City in the Early 20th Century," on Thursday, October 26, 2023, 7 pm, at the Historical Society of Rockland County. Admission is $FREE, but reservations are required. Donations toward restoration of the mail wagon are gratefully accepted.

For details and the ticket link, go to: https://www.rocklandhistory.org/event.cfm?page=1065

Frank Eberling will also be appearing at the New City Library on Monday, October 23, 2023 at 7 pm, to speak about New City-inspired fiction. This is an in-person and virtual presentation. Reserve your spot for that event at https://newcity.librarycalendar.com.

Crossroads of Rockland History, a program of the Historical Society of Rockland County, airs on the third Monday of each month at 9:30 am, right after the Jeff and Will morning show, on WRCR Radio 1700 AM and www.WRCR.com. Join host Clare Sheridan as we explore, celebrate, and learn about our local history, with different topics and guest speakers every month. The Historical Society of Rockland County is a nonprofit educational institution and principal repository for original documents and artifacts relating to Rockland County. Its headquarters are a four-acre site featuring a history museum and the 1832 Jacob Blauvelt House in New City, New York.

www.RocklandHistory.org