No, I am NOT the Borough Historian
No, I am NOT the Borough Historian.
By Jeffrey A. Kroessler
I applied to be the borough historian of Queens because I thought, oddly enough, that the post should be held by an urban historian. After all, I earned a Ph.D. in urban history, and my dissertation was a history of Queens. I authored the article on the borough in the Encyclopedia of New York State, and rewrote and updated the entry for the second edition of the Encyclopedia of New York City, as well as dozens of other entries about Queens. I wrote the centennial history of the Queens Borough Public Library and co-authored Historic Preservation in Queens. I’ve written quite a bit about Robert Moses and his parks and highways, and my latest book, The Greater New York Sports Chronology, naturally features quite a bit about Queens.
But no, I want to make clear that I am NOT the borough historian.
Jack Eichenbaum is the borough historian. He is an urban geographer, not a historian. He leads interesting and popular walking tours. But as he revealed in a recent interview with the Daily News, he has absolutely no interest in historic preservation, and is sadly misinformed about the role of landmarking in keeping New York a livable city.
Perhaps I am not the borough historian because I am an uncompromising advocate for historic preservation. My wife and I live in the Sunnyside Gardens Historic District, and we worked hard to have our neighborhood designated. As a historian, I was well positioned to counter the misinformation put forward by opponents of designation.
I am disturbed that the man appointed the new borough historian wants to take the history out of historic preservation, calling the designation of historic districts a “frozen-in-time” approach. “A lot of historic districts are just so fussy,” he told the Daily News reporter. This statement displays both a profound ignorance of how landmark designation protects a neighborhood and contempt for those residents of the borough who are working toward such designation in places like Addesleigh Park. Such remarks belong to the Donald Manes era, not today.
Sadly, Mr. Eichenbaum is poised to continue the ineffective pattern set by his predecessors, Hank Ludder and Stanley Cogan. During their tenure, stretching from Donald Manes through Claire Shulman to current Borough President Helen Marshall, preservationists could expect precious little help from Borough Hall. Indeed, quite often we encountered outright opposition. I can recall no instance when the Queens borough historian took a proactive – or even a reactive – role in preservation battles. Actually, I can recall no instance when any of the five borough historians took up the cause of preservation.
I fought to save the Aquacade from the 1939 World’s Fair in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. There was not a peep of support from Stanley Cogan as Claire Shulman had it demolished. In keeping with that tradition, I doubt we will hear anything from our new borough historian about the importance of protecting the 1850s Ridgewood Reservoir, arguably the most important undesignated place in Queens today. I expect he could lead a tour along the terminal moraine through Forest Park to the reservoir, but I cannot imagine him speaking against the Parks Department plan to install playing fields covered with artificial turf where there is now a thriving wetland. It seems it would be enough to point out that where the playing fields are was once Brooklyn’s water system. Oh well.
Mr. Eichenbaum makes clear he will not work to save “just every old building.” We ought to ask, will he fight to save ANY old building? I for one do not think it is enough to point out the site where St. Savior’s used to be, or where the Aquacade once stood, or where Flessel’s once was. In this regard, Borough President Helen Marshall seems to be more in tune with the temper of her constituents. As she told the Daily News, when people see the history in their own neighborhoods, “they don’t want it to be destroyed.” That was the genesis of walking tours, actually, to bring greater awareness of the historic resources around us and feed the movement to preserve them. They were not born to foster antiquarianism.
The New York State Constitution mandates that every county appoint a historian, a post that is both official and symbolic. His is the voice for the historic resources of the borough, and surely that includes the built environment. Silence sends the wrong message. Instead of fighting to preserve historic sites so treasured by the people of Queens, the new borough historian will install a display of old things in Borough Hall. Now that’s a “frozen-in-time” approach.
Jeffrey A. Kroessler is a member of the HDC Board of Directors.
You should be borough historian, but you know how political appointments go. I’ve had absolutely terrible experiences with a past Manhattan Borough Historian. When I solved the origin of “the Big Apple” (mentioned in your book), it took me over five years to dedicate “Big Apple Corner.” I didn’t get a bit of help from the Manhattan Borough Historian or the Manhattan Borough President–not even a single letter returned, much less a “thank you.” When I discovered that the great Audrey Munson modeled for “Civic Fame” on top of the Municipal Building (she was still alive, at over 100), no one cared at all and she died in complete obscurity. In 2006, Harlem’s 1930s “Big Apple” night club’s upside-down apple facade was destroyed to make way for Popeye’s fried chicken. A construction worker “thought it might be worth something” and the apple is now sitting in his closet! I got fed up and left New York, but I still add to my website. Tell me if you come across slang terms or nicknames I’ve missed.
You should be borough historian, but you know how political appointments go. I’ve had absolutely terrible experiences with a past Manhattan Borough Historian. When I solved the origin of “the Big Apple” (mentioned in your book), it took me over five years to dedicate “Big Apple Corner.” I didn’t get a bit of help from the Manhattan Borough Historian or the Manhattan Borough President–not even a single letter returned, much less a “thank you.” When I discovered that the great Audrey Munson modeled for “Civic Fame” on top of the Municipal Building (she was still alive, at over 100), no one cared at all and she died in complete obscurity. In 2006, Harlem’s 1930s “Big Apple” night club’s upside-down apple facade was destroyed to make way for Popeye’s fried chicken. A construction worker “thought it might be worth something” and the apple is now sitting in his closet! I got fed up and left New York, but I still add to my website. Tell me if you come across slang terms or nicknames I’ve missed.
Jeffrey, Nick Hirshon at the Daily News asked me to comment on your post on the the Historic Districts Council Newstand. My response to him is forwarded to you below. But immediately below I am adding some additional comments and finer points to clarify some issues you raised that may be based on hearsay, incomplete knowledge, or incorrect conclusions. You might wish to read ALL of the newspaper articles that reported on my appointment: the Daily News, the New York Times, the Queens Chronicle, the Queens Tribune, the Queens Times. WNYC will soon be airing an (edited) interview. They offer different slants on the same event.
1. I do have an interest in historic preservation of the built environment. I am proud to take people into Jackson Heights, Richmond Hill, Sunnyside Gardens and other neighborhoods and show them where people have worked hard to maintain a slice of history. I acknowledge the struggles. I am not as passionate, informed or singular in this regard as you are. The promotion of historic districts and landmarks is not the only or even a necessary qualification for the position of Borough Historian. As QBH I would hope to champion preservation of the built environment issues mostly by acknowledging the leadership role taken by people such as yourself! I would hope to promote you as a resource for groups seeking designations in our borough.
2. For years, many of us in Queens have bemoaned the Manhattan biased sensibility of preservation. Humbler Queens neighborhoods were often dismissed as unworthy. I have an additional take on “Historic Districts,” that you may be unaware of, which I promote on walking tours. There are a number of compact neighborhoods in places like Corona, Astoria, Woodside and Whitestone, where 10-12 of the last 15 decades are represented in the architecture of the streetscape. Compared to other boroughs, parts of Queens grew more gradually, weathered depression, wartime and demographic change more successfully- always a viable place to build and rebuild (even if the “buildings” were trite, ugly or offensive). These eclectic humbler neighborhoods constitute another kind of “historic district,” one that illustrates how taste, technology.and demand for housing have evolved over time!
3. I have led about six walking tours that include the Ridgewood Reservoir in a discussion of Brooklyn’s water supply. Please go to my web site http://www.geognyc.com/?page_id=38 and scroll to “Water, Eternity…” I have commented on and admired the way that the old reservoir is returning to a forest ecology. I am not in favor of the Parks Dept. plan you cite. I seem to remember that a group was organizing against this plan. If you can put me in touch with them, I will join in this effort. (N.B. I have already initiated contact!)
4. It is the Borough President who wishes to display some old artifacts in Borough Hall. No has asked me what I would add to a museum display. So I’ll tell you. It should be stuff that will impact children who will be the principal visitors. A: Photos of historic landmarks and historic streetscapes and a map showing their location so kids can figure out what they are near; We must educate the first and second generation of immigrant children in the history of of Queens. They will inherit this borough just as I inherited it from my immigrant parents! B: Photos of cultural traditions of the ethnic groups of Queens so kids can feel proud of their heritage; C: Photos or artifacts of sports and games in Queens (c.f. current exhibit at the Queens Historical Society) so kids can identify with their activities
5. I repeat my offer to you to join in a conclave of Queens historical and preservation groups on October 28. I would like to introduce you as a valuable resource. Whether you choose to come or not, I expect you will continue to be an important and informed voice for historic preservation.
Jack
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(The following comments wre made directly to the Daily News when asked for a response to Dr. Kroessler’s post.)
As reported in the Daily News, my principal competitors for the position of Queens Borough Historian were Jeffrey Kroessler and Kevin Walsh. I believe either one of them would have a made a good choice and perhaps they will serve in this role at a later time. The interviewing committee picked me. I have already reached out to both of these gentlemen to attend a conclave of those involved in History and Preservation in Queens to be held in October. I recognize that their strengths and interests are different that mine and it is my wish that they coordinate with disparate interests in our borough. Dr. Kroessler is an outstanding advocate for the preservation of the built environment.
But my interpretation of the role of Queens Historian is more inclusive than that. There are other facets of Queens history and preservation that beg interpretation and advocacy. One thing is the preservation of the environment- clean air, clean water, healthy street trees, swimmable beaches, ease of transit, and the cleanliness of our streets. Another is the remarkable social history of our borough in the last 60 years when we became a global center for peaceable integration, ethnic diversity and cultural fusion. Already I am involved with various media that will tell this story to our city and the world.
True, my academic training is in Geography not History. But clearly, “All History happens somewhere” and “All Geography changes over time.” The disciplines are inextricably related. Reality is not neatly divided into academic departments. Someone like Dr. Kroessler might be more familiar with the historical archives of Queens. In contrast, I believe I would be more familiar with the quantitative and computerized graphic data that is increasingly available for historical analysis. The New York Public Library Map Division just announced that it received a grant for the study of New York City Historical GIS. (GIS=Geographic Information Systems). I began NYC’s GIS user group (GISMO) twenty years ago.
In my leadership roles my style has been broad and inclusive. I do not dictate, I delegate. I convene rather than exclude. I have lots of references that will support me on this. I appreciate people who take the initiative to promote causes I may be be unfamiliar with. I try to help them help themselves.
Jeffrey, Nick Hirshon at the Daily News asked me to comment on your post on the the Historic Districts Council Newstand. My response to him is forwarded to you below. But immediately below I am adding some additional comments and finer points to clarify some issues you raised that may be based on hearsay, incomplete knowledge, or incorrect conclusions. You might wish to read ALL of the newspaper articles that reported on my appointment: the Daily News, the New York Times, the Queens Chronicle, the Queens Tribune, the Queens Times. WNYC will soon be airing an (edited) interview. They offer different slants on the same event.
1. I do have an interest in historic preservation of the built environment. I am proud to take people into Jackson Heights, Richmond Hill, Sunnyside Gardens and other neighborhoods and show them where people have worked hard to maintain a slice of history. I acknowledge the struggles. I am not as passionate, informed or singular in this regard as you are. The promotion of historic districts and landmarks is not the only or even a necessary qualification for the position of Borough Historian. As QBH I would hope to champion preservation of the built environment issues mostly by acknowledging the leadership role taken by people such as yourself! I would hope to promote you as a resource for groups seeking designations in our borough.
2. For years, many of us in Queens have bemoaned the Manhattan biased sensibility of preservation. Humbler Queens neighborhoods were often dismissed as unworthy. I have an additional take on “Historic Districts,” that you may be unaware of, which I promote on walking tours. There are a number of compact neighborhoods in places like Corona, Astoria, Woodside and Whitestone, where 10-12 of the last 15 decades are represented in the architecture of the streetscape. Compared to other boroughs, parts of Queens grew more gradually, weathered depression, wartime and demographic change more successfully- always a viable place to build and rebuild (even if the “buildings” were trite, ugly or offensive). These eclectic humbler neighborhoods constitute another kind of “historic district,” one that illustrates how taste, technology.and demand for housing have evolved over time!
3. I have led about six walking tours that include the Ridgewood Reservoir in a discussion of Brooklyn’s water supply. Please go to my web site http://www.geognyc.com/?page_id=38 and scroll to “Water, Eternity…” I have commented on and admired the way that the old reservoir is returning to a forest ecology. I am not in favor of the Parks Dept. plan you cite. I seem to remember that a group was organizing against this plan. If you can put me in touch with them, I will join in this effort. (N.B. I have already initiated contact!)
4. It is the Borough President who wishes to display some old artifacts in Borough Hall. No has asked me what I would add to a museum display. So I’ll tell you. It should be stuff that will impact children who will be the principal visitors. A: Photos of historic landmarks and historic streetscapes and a map showing their location so kids can figure out what they are near; We must educate the first and second generation of immigrant children in the history of of Queens. They will inherit this borough just as I inherited it from my immigrant parents! B: Photos of cultural traditions of the ethnic groups of Queens so kids can feel proud of their heritage; C: Photos or artifacts of sports and games in Queens (c.f. current exhibit at the Queens Historical Society) so kids can identify with their activities
5. I repeat my offer to you to join in a conclave of Queens historical and preservation groups on October 28. I would like to introduce you as a valuable resource. Whether you choose to come or not, I expect you will continue to be an important and informed voice for historic preservation.
Jack
—————————–
(The following comments wre made directly to the Daily News when asked for a response to Dr. Kroessler’s post.)
As reported in the Daily News, my principal competitors for the position of Queens Borough Historian were Jeffrey Kroessler and Kevin Walsh. I believe either one of them would have a made a good choice and perhaps they will serve in this role at a later time. The interviewing committee picked me. I have already reached out to both of these gentlemen to attend a conclave of those involved in History and Preservation in Queens to be held in October. I recognize that their strengths and interests are different that mine and it is my wish that they coordinate with disparate interests in our borough. Dr. Kroessler is an outstanding advocate for the preservation of the built environment.
But my interpretation of the role of Queens Historian is more inclusive than that. There are other facets of Queens history and preservation that beg interpretation and advocacy. One thing is the preservation of the environment- clean air, clean water, healthy street trees, swimmable beaches, ease of transit, and the cleanliness of our streets. Another is the remarkable social history of our borough in the last 60 years when we became a global center for peaceable integration, ethnic diversity and cultural fusion. Already I am involved with various media that will tell this story to our city and the world.
True, my academic training is in Geography not History. But clearly, “All History happens somewhere” and “All Geography changes over time.” The disciplines are inextricably related. Reality is not neatly divided into academic departments. Someone like Dr. Kroessler might be more familiar with the historical archives of Queens. In contrast, I believe I would be more familiar with the quantitative and computerized graphic data that is increasingly available for historical analysis. The New York Public Library Map Division just announced that it received a grant for the study of New York City Historical GIS. (GIS=Geographic Information Systems). I began NYC’s GIS user group (GISMO) twenty years ago.
In my leadership roles my style has been broad and inclusive. I do not dictate, I delegate. I convene rather than exclude. I have lots of references that will support me on this. I appreciate people who take the initiative to promote causes I may be be unfamiliar with. I try to help them help themselves.