We are thrilled to announce that our two most recent documentaries are now available on our website here.

THE LIFE AND ART OF ANNA RICHARDS BREWSTER is a short (9 minute), poignant film that rediscovers the magnificent work of Anna Richards Brewster (1870-1952), a Scarsdale resident, who in her day was recognized as one of America’s finest Impressionist painters. Her work was widely exhibited in Europe and America, and she painted many familiar stunning landscapes of Scarsdale.

A RIVER RETURNS: A HISTORY OF THE BRONX RIVER is a 40 minute film that provides a historical journey down the Bronx River and a tale of how it was rescued from severe pollution to become a model for restoring natural resources nationwide. The Bronx River may be a small river but it played a large role in shaping the towns and lives of people in Westchester County, including Scarsdale.

These documentaries were professionally produced and directed by Scarsdale native Lesley Topping with Barbara Shay MacDonald, Vice President and Historian of the Scarsdale Historical Society. Ms. Topping is an independent filmmaker, producer and film editor whose work includes dramatic films, documentaries, and television programs. She has edited award-winning films for the Cousteau Society, CBS, PBS, and A&E, and worked on many feature films. She also produces multimedia content for businesses and not for profits.

These films join the two previous documentaries that the Society produced and which are also available for viewing on the website: SCARSDALE IN THE 18TH AND 19TH CENTURIES: FROM HARDSCRABBLE FARMS TO GRACIOUS ESTATES and A TOUR OF THE CUDNER-HYATT HOUSE MUSEUM.

Additional content relating to each of the Society’s films can be found under the Articles tab of the website.