Historical Society Documentary Premiering at the Scarsdale Public Library on November 29th

The Scarsdale Historical Society has produced a new documentary video “Scarsdale in the 18th & 19th Centuries: From Hardscrabble Farms to Gracious Estates” which will be shown for the first time in the Scott Room at the Scarsdale Public Library on Wednesday, November 29th. The video is hosted by Scarsdale Historical Society V.P. and Historian, Barbara Shay MacDonald.

The documentary was professionally produced and directed by Scarsdale native Lesley Topping. 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. Richard Westlein is a 12-time Emmy Award winning cinematographer and ABC cameraman.  His extensive credits include “One Life to Live”, “All My Children”, and many ABC programs, documentaries and commercials. He is a cameraman on “The View” and the owner of Jupiter Video that provides state of the art production equipment to many companies. Lesley and Richard are cousins and often partner on independent projects. 

The event at the Scarsdale Public Library will include a reception beginning at 7:00 p.m. followed by a screening of the documentary from 7:30-8:00.p.m. After the film, there will be an opportunity to ask questions of Ms. MacDonald and Ms. Topping.

See Hamilton in Scarsdale!

For one night only you can see incredible original documents written by Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, Aaron Burr, Thomas Jefferson and more at the History Discovery Night, sponsored by the Scarsdale Historical Society and the Scarsdale Public Library. The event is on Tuesday, June 6th, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Scarsdale Public Library, 54 Olmsted Road, Scarsdale, NY 10583.

The exhibit will include one of Hamilton’s most revealing love letters to Elizabeth Schuyler, Hamilton’s letter rallying to defeat Jefferson after Washington declined a third term, and a rare printing of the infamous Reynolds pamphlet—along with highlights from the Library’s local history collection.

You can also bring in your own documents, photographs, books, pamphlets, and other materials (except furniture) related to Scarsdale history to learn about preserving and sharing your items. Hear about local history resources available at the Library and the Historical Society, or ask the experts about preservation, digitization and housing or display options. Meet members of Scarsdale Historical Society, Scarsdale Library’s local history librarian Dan Glauber and historic document expert Seth Kaller.

Free and open to the public.
RSVP preferred to scaref@wlsmail.org.

History Discovery Night

See Rare Historic Documents & Bring Your Own to Show

Join us for an evening with members of the Scarsdale Historical Society, Scarsdale Library’s local history librarian Dan Glauber, and historic document expert Seth Kaller with his Alexander Hamilton Collection.

Bring in your own documents, photographs, books, pamphlets, and other materials (except furniture) related to Scarsdale history. Learn more about preserving and sharing your items, hear about local history resources available at the Library and the Historical Society, or ask the experts about preservation, digitization and housing or display options.

See highlights from the Library’s local history collection.

And also see incredible original documents written by Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, Aaron Burr, Thomas Jefferson and more—including one of Hamilton’s most revealing love letters to Elizabeth Schuyler, Hamilton’s letter rallying to defeat Jefferson after Washington declined a third term, and a rare printing of the infamous Reynolds pamphlet.

Tuesday, June 6th, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
SCARSDALE PUBLIC LIBRARY
54 Olmsted Road, Scarsdale, NY 10583
914-722-1300
scarsdalelibrary.org 
scaref@wlsmail.org

Scarsdale Historical Society Agrees to Sell Property; Cudner-Hyatt House to Be Protected

The Cudner-Hyatt House, circa 1900.

The Scarsdale Historical Society has entered into an agreement to sell its property at 937 Post Road, including the Cudner-Hyatt House and the Quaker Meeting House to a local residential developer.  The sale is subject to a Historic Preservation and Conservation Easement which will ensure the preservation and protection of the Cudner-Hyatt House. 

The sale of the property is contingent upon the approval of an application to be filed for a subdivision limited to three lots.  The purchaser intends to relocate (or rebuild, if necessary) the Cudner-Hyatt House to a location on the property closer to Post Road and Lee Road.

The sale is also subject to a number of other contingencies, including the approval of an application to be filed with the Village Zoning Board of Appeals, approval by the Scarsdale Historical Society members and the approval of the New York State Education Department and the Attorney General’s Office.

“The Scarsdale Historical Society is very pleased to enter into this transaction and is thrilled that the Cudner-Hyatt House will be preserved for future generations.  This transaction will enable us to expand our efforts to preserve and make available to the public historical information about Scarsdale and Westchester in new and exciting ways,” said Randy Guggenheimer, Scarsdale Historical Society President.

The Scarsdale Historical Society will continue to preserve and make history easily accessible to the public through grants to digitize, preserve and catalog primary source material that is part of the Society’s collection as well as primary source material owned by other organizations.  The public will then have access to all of this material through the Society’s website (www.scarsdalehistory.org) and other digital platforms.  The Society will also continue and increase grants to promote, fund and encourage the publication of books and materials regarding Scarsdale’s and Westchester’s history and to fund and produce documentaries regarding Scarsdale’s architectural and cultural history.  The Society currently has a video tour of the Cudner-Hyatt House available for viewing on its website.  The Society will continue to hold and promote events to display items from the Corporation’s collection and engage the public to share historical items and primary source material with the community and respond to telephone, email and social media requests regarding Scarsdale’s history.   

About the Scarsdale Historical Society

The Scarsdale Historical Society exists to discover, preserve, and disseminate historical information as well as inspire others to learn about and contribute to the history of Scarsdale and the Central mid-Westchester region.

Scarsdale Historical Society Provides Grant for Scarsdale Public Library Renovation

The Scarsdale Historical Society has provided a $100,000 grant to the Friends of the Scarsdale Library to assist in the renovation of the Library. “The Scarsdale Historical Society is very pleased to be able to assist in this important community project. We look forward to continuing to work with the Library on developing a Scarsdale History area as part of the renovated library,” said Randy Guggenheimer, Scarsdale Historical Society President.

“We’re thrilled by this gift, which will immediately be doubled through a one-to-one match offered by two very generous donors,” said Library Board President Terri Simon. “The Historical Society’s commitment underscores community recognition of the Library’s enduring value not only as a repository of materials, but as an active place of research for Scarsdale now and for generations to come.” "The Historical Society and the Library have had a successful partnership for many years. We are grateful for the continued support and look forward to collaborating on many future projects," said Elizabeth Bermel, Director of the Scarsdale Public Library. 

The Scarsdale Historical Society has previously given grants to the Library for digitization of the Scarsdale Inquirer newspaper and for funding summer internships.  The Scarsdale Historical Society and the Library are working together on a “Bring Your Scarsdale History” event which will take place this spring.

About the Scarsdale Historical Society

The Scarsdale Historical Society exists to discover, preserve, and disseminate historical information as well as inspire others to learn about and contribute to the history of Scarsdale and the Central mid-Westchester region.

A Tour of the Cudner-Hyatt House

A tour and history of The Cudner-Hyatt House Museum from the Scarsdale Historical Society with historian, Barbara Shay MacDonald. Built in the 1700's, this is one of Scarsdale's earliest settlements. Two families, the Cudners and the Hyatts, lived in the farmhouse for over two centuries.