Croton Friends of History Events
All events are free and open to the public. Unless otherwise noted, the events take place at 7:30 p.m. in the Ottinger Room at the Croton Free Library, 171 Cleveland Drive, Croton-on-Hudson, NY. Please join us!
March
Lost Amusement Parks of the Hudson Valley
The mass appeal of large amusement parks such as Coney Island and Palisades Amusement Park has been well documented, so Wesley & Barbara Gottlock decided to research some of the lesser-known parks, now largely forgotten, that entertained millions in the 20th century. Nearby Indian Point Park—created by the Hudson River Day Line Company and now the site of the nuclear reactors—will be highlighted. Thursday, March 1. You can order the book through their website, gottlockbooks.com
April
Croton, Then & Now
Using vintage pictures and postcards, local photographer Howard Myers and historian Carl Oechsner show what the Village of Croton looked and felt like 100 years ago, then reflect upon the changes that took place. Thursday, April 5.
May
Paul Robeson
Details to come!
June
Mysterious Stone Structures on the Croton River
Details to come!
September
What Do We Walk On? The Geological History of Northern Westchester
Dr. Jerome Thaler will reveal the bedrock origins in our region dating back over one billion years ago and show examples of the types of rocks that underlie the soil that covers most of our region. Dr. Thaler has studied geology at Columbia University and taught Earth Science and Geology at Mercy and Westchester Community College as an adjunct professor. Jerry is known to his friends “to have rocks in his head.” Thursday, September 6th.
October
The Cemeteries of Westchester County
Westchester County historian Patrick Raftery, author of
a 3-volume reference work on the County’s cemeteries, explores some of the remarkable burial grounds located throughout the county, with a focus on those within the boundaries of Croton and Cortlandt. Thursday, October 4. You can order the set at westchesterhistory.com
November
A Different Kind of Street Walker:
A Neighborhood Tour of New York City
Details to come!
December
Around Cold Spring
Trudie Grace is curator of the Putnam County Historical Society and Foundry School Museum as well as professor of art history at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. Her program features visual materials from her book, Around Cold Spring, that illuminate the rich history of Cold Spring and the surrounding area including Garrison and Nelsonville. Thursday, December 6. The book is part of the Images of American series from Arcadia Publishing.