E-BULLETIN OF THE HISTORIC DISTRICTS COUNCIL
April 2012, Volume 9, Number 5
~Six to Celebrate Tour Series~
Come tour our 2012 Six to Celebrate neighborhoods. Learn about their diverse cultural and architectural histories. Starting in May and running throughout the summer HDC, with the help of noted tour guides and local community groups, will be touring each neighborhood.
Van Cortlandt Village
WALKING TOUR led by Anthony W. Robins, architectural historian
Once the site of Revolutionary War-era Fort Independence, Van Cortlandt Village developed into a residential enclave in the 20th century. Built on a winding street plan designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, responding to the hills and views of the area, the neighborhood consists of small Neo-Colonial and Tudor revival homes and apartment buildings, including the Shalom Alecheim Houses, an early cooperative housing project. The tour will be led by architectural historian Anthony Robins, author of the Van Cortlandt Village Cultural Resources Survey. A representative of the Fort Independence Park Neighborhood Association will also attend to talk about their ongoing preservation and awareness efforts.
RSVP today: $5 for Friend of HDC; $10 for Non-Friends.
Monday, July 9, 6pm
Morningside Heights, Manhattan
WALKING TOUR led by Andrew Scott Dolkart, architectural historian and author of “Morningside Heights: A History of Its Architecture & Development”
Far Rockaway Beachside Bungalows, Queens
WALKING TOUR led by Nancy Solomon, folklorist and executive director of Long Island Traditions
BICYCLE TOUR led by Nicole Francis, Beverly Square East Neighborhood Association
BICYCLE TOUR led by Harry J. Bubbins, director of Friends of Brook Park
Six to Celebrate is generously supported by The New York Community Trust.
Additional support for the Six to Celebrate Tours is provided by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and from New York City Councilmembers Inez Dickens, Daniel Garodnick, Stephen Levin and Rosie Mendez.
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Monday, June 11, 6:30pm
Film Screening and Discussion: The Bungalows of Rockaway
Anthology Film Archives, 32 Second Avenue at East 2nd Street, Manhattan
After a sold-out screening of the film’s excerpts in 2008, HDC brings back the popular 2010 documentary film, “The Bungalows of Rockaway,” produced by Jennifer Callahan and Elizabeth Logan Harris. The film highlights the rich history of the Rockaway bungalows, lasting more than 100 years. Although by 1933 there were more than 7,000 bungalows dotting the peninsula, fewer than 500 remain today. The documentary, narrated by Oscar-winner Estelle Parsons, features rare archival footage, maps, and interviews with historians, prominent New Yorkers, and several of the longtime residents and vacationers. Chosen as a Critic’s Pick by Time Out New York.
In 2012, HDC named the Far Rockaway Beach Bungalows to its Six to Celebrate list, six historic New York City neighborhoods that merit preservation as priorities for HDC’s advocacy and consultation over a yearlong period. HDC is working with the Beachside Bungalow Preservation Association to get the remaining bungalows of Beach 24th, 25th and 26th Streets on the State and National Registers of Historic Places and to raise awareness about this irreplaceable part of New York City’s history.
The screening will be followed by a “Q & A” session and discussion with Richard George, executive director of the Beachside Bungalow Preservation Association; Nancy Solomon, director of Long Island Traditions and author of the upcoming National Register nomination; Jeanne DuPont of Rockaway Waterfront Alliance, and the filmmakers. The program will be moderated by journalist Eve M. Kahn.
Admission is $10 for the general public, $5 for Friends of HDC, seniors and students.
A limited number of complimentary tickets will be available to Far Rockaway residents.
To purchase tickets or for more information, visit our website or call 212-614-9107.
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HDC’s 18th Annual Preservation Conference
The Great Outside: Preserving Public and Private Open Spaces
The 18th Annual Preservation Conference was a huge success with more than 300 attendants. We would like to thank everyone who attended, especially those who presented materials during the preservation fair. HDC is continuing to explore the preservation issues concerning New York’s open spaces. Our Six to Celebrate tours will showcase the many ongoing concerns of historic open spaces in a neighborhood, most notably with the Port Morris Ferry Bridges. If you would like go on a tour please go to our website, or call us at 212-614-9107.
For those of you who were unable to attend the conference, we have videos of the opening night keynote speech given by Charles A. Birnbaum, and of each panelist from Saturday, Thomas J. Campanella, Ken Smith, Alex Wolfe, Thomas Mellins, Evan Mason and Jeffery Kroessler. You can view the videos on our YouTube channel, or with the full transcript on our website.
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Become a Friend of HDC today and receive special discounts on our exciting and informational events. By donating you are aiding in the fight to preserve New York history. HDC is the only organization that works with communities in all five boroughs. That’s a lot of buildings! http://hdc.org/donate.