October 2005 - Larchmont Historical Society

The Gazebo Gazette
The Newsletter of the Larchmont
Historical Society
October 2005
Program Announcement: Dee van Eyck, Program Chair
HHAALLLLOOWWEEEENN TTHHRRIILLLLSS
OONN TTHHEE SSIILLEENNTT SSCCRREEEENN
Grab some popcorn and come watch
John Barrymore in the original Fright
Flick:
Introduction by Acclaimed Film Editor
& Larchmont Resident, Andrew
Mondshein
Sunday, October 30th 3:00 – 5:00
p.m.
Larchmont Community Center
(behind Larchmont Library)
This event is free and open to the public.
Refreshments served.
R.S.V.P.: 834-0449
Members of Larchmont’s artist colony during the
summer of 1897, John Barrymore and his ailing
grandmother, Louisa Drew, “the first lady of the
American Theatre,” occupied rooms at the Bevan
House Hotel. Her death there on August 31st,
would change the young man’s life forever.
“Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” (1920), broke all boxoffice records, drew praise from critics of the time
and still receives high accolades from silent film
historians. John Barrymore proved that great stage
acting could be achieved on the screen and
appreciated by the masses.
Larchmont Luminaries
John Barrymore, Summer resident
Born February 14, 1882 in Philadelphia, PA into a family of
entertainers. His grandmother was Louisa Drew. His father,
Maurice Blythe, adopted the stage name of Maurice Barrymore.
His mother was Georgie Drew, the daughter of actor John Drew.
His siblings, Lionel and Ethel became actors, as well. Eventually
drawn to the movies, John Barrymore’s first known appearance
was in the 1914, “An American Citizen.” However, it was his
portrayal in “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” (1920) that brought him
motion picture fame with his uncanny metamorphosis from the
kindly Dr. Jekyll to the evil Mr. Hyde using little make-up.
Barrymore only made about 13 movies during the 1920’s, but they
included such greats as “Sherlock Holmes” (1922), “Don Juan”
(1926), “The Beloved Rogue” (1927) and “Tempest” (1928). Of
course, with his trained stage voice, Barrymore had no problem
with the transition into the sound era and working for MGM, he
was part of some of the truly great films of the 1930’s such as
“Grand Hotel” (1932), “A Bill of Divorcement” (1932), “Dinner at
Eight” (1933), and “Romeo and Juliet” (1936). In the late 20’s, he
married actress Dolores Costello, who is actress Drew
Barrymore’s grandmother. John Barrymore died May 29, 1942.
WE’RE ONLINE!
Visit us virtually at:
www.larchmonthistory.org
Take a trip through Larchmont’s
past with a visit to our online
photo museum. Learn more
about LHS and our activities.
Check our calendar of events
to find out about upcoming
programs.
Love Larchmont history? Then
become a member or renew
your membership for
2005/2006! Find out how to
make a donation, get
involved, volunteer for a
research project, etc. – all
online!
2
October 2005
The Gazebo Gazette
Noteworthy Events
Halloween Fun
Larchmont’s Annual Rag-A-Muffin Halloween Parade!
Legend Weekend at Sleepy Hollow: Oct. 28, 29 & 30!
Saturday, October 29th (1:00 pm Start Time)
12:30 pm Meet at corner of Larchmont Ave. & Palmer
Stroll the grounds of Philipsburg Manor by candlelight.
See the Headless Horseman ride & Ghosts & Witches....
Go to: www.hudsonvalley.org for info. & tickets.
Parade ends at Village Hall w/treats and entertainment!
Nearby Historical Happenings:
Bill Byrne displays one of the Gold Star Banners
he presented at the Richard M. Kemper Park.
(photo by LHS intern, Sam Friend)
Bill Byrne
Representatives of eight of the twenty-four families who
received Gold Star Banners (photo by LHS intern, Sam
Friend)
MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY
Richard M. Kemper Park
Mamaroneck High School, 1000 West Boston Post Rd.
2005 Marks the 60th Anniversary of the End of World War II!
˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜ ˜ ˜
Memorial Day, May 30, 2005, at the Richard M. Kemper Park, celebrated the end of World War
II with the surrendering, sixty years ago, of the Germans and the Japanese (VE Day, May 8,
1945, and VJ Day, August 14, 1945, respectively). The ceremony, honoring the 99 lives lost
from our Town and two Villages, was conducted by American Legion Post 90, the Kemper
family (the donors of the Memorial Park) and the Kemper Memorial Park Preservation Fund.
During World War II, families hung a Blue Star Banner in a window of their home to honor a
family member in the armed services. A Gold Star Banner replaced it if a veteran had died.
The Larchmont Historical Society donated 24 Gold Star Banners to be awarded to the family
representatives of those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom. Bill Byrne, LHS Trustee,
awarded banners to the 19 attending families. A symbolic Gold Star Banner was then
presented to Frank Naske, Vice-Commander of the David Potts, Jr. Post 1156 of the Veterans
of Foreign Wars, for all of the families who have not yet been located. Four additional Gold Star
Banners were sent to the families who were unable to attend. LHS has supported the
preservation of all war memorials and the personal history of those honored there.
It was truly a remarkable day that forged wonderful relationships between everyone involved!
Congratulations to all for adding to the civic history of World War II.
Constitution Week:
Theora Hahn
“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union….”
How many of us can recite the Preamble to the Constitution?
On September 17, 1787, the U.S. Constitution was signed by 55 delegates in the Constitutional Convention.
September 17 – 23, “National Constitution Week,” honors the signing of this historic and important
document that has since proven to be an enduring and true guide for American government.
If you haven’t recently read the Constitution, or would like to introduce it to your children, LHS encourages you
to go to: www.constitutioncenter.org to read the entire document & use their interactive guide with clauseby-clause explanations. The terrific kids section shows how instrumental this framework was for establishing
liberty, justice and opportunity --- and lay the groundwork for the Declaration of Independence.
CHC
Century
Homes Club
We are pleased to
announce that the
following homes have
been added to the Century
Homes Club roster and
have received official
bronze plaques at their
entrances. Take time to
note these special
treasures.
Cherry Tree Cottage, 1894
85 Larchmont Avenue
The Orchard, 1896
40 Ocean Avenue
Southwick Cottage, 1888
6 Oak Avenue
Jenkins Cottage, c. 1882
24 Helena Avenue
Jardine Cottage, c. 1892
1 Circle Avenue
Morse Cottage, 1893
20 Linden Avenue
Collins Cottage, c. 1896
8 Walnut Avenue
Caldwell Cottage, 1891
18 Walnut Avenue
If your home is at least
100 years old, you are
eligible to join and receive
a bronze plaque for your
home…and more!
Call the Archives to get a
free copy of the CHC
Thanks to Trustee, Theora Hahn, for her exceptional efforts to educate the Community about the Constitution!
2
The Gazebo Gazette
3
Board Matters
President’s Message: Barbara R. Newman
New Board Member
Elected
We
are pleased to announce that
Title
Pier Witek will be joining us as a new
member of our Board of Trustees.
Ms. Witek, a futures trader who
originally hails from Larchmont,
attended several of our local schools
including Chatsworth, Hommocks,
Ursuline and Mamaroneck High
School. Both her parents and
grandparents are also long-term
Larchmonters. After graduating from
Syracuse University, she made her
home in Europe, Chicago and
Stamford prior to moving back to her
hometown.
In addition to having her own career,
Pier helps run her mother’s business,
“Gifted,” a corporate gift company
based here in Larchmont.
If it is any indication of how busy we already are this
fall at the Historical Society, check out the size of the
column that was left for me!
I am pleased to report that new projects and
committees are off to a great start. We’ll update you
in next month’s issue, but our plans for this 25th
Anniversary year are exciting and without harping on
the “volunteer” theme too much, I have to say that our
success depends upon tremendous involvement from
the community this year. Look at the opportunities
listed below and on our website for information on
joining a committee.
Our Century Homes Club is growing by the day.
Take note of the beautiful bronze plaques that are
popping up on these historic 100+ year old Larchmont
homes!
Plans are also rolling out for the new Historic Sites
Committee, for our Cemetery Restoration group and
a really neat 25th Anniversary community event. If
I’ve peaked your interest….let us know!
Have a Safe and Happy Halloween!
Notes From the Archives
Summer Interns
Last year, Ms. Witek coordinated all
the logistics for the Annual Spring
House Tour. She was a fabulous asset
in the success of that event and the
Society is looking forward to having
her native insight and enthusiasm on
our Board. Welcome Pier!
We would like to officially thank our fabulous
summer interns for their hard work this summer.
Dan Plansky (Larchmont) was a whiz at running the
Archives in July and August and completed some
terrific research projects for us. Jennifer Tougas
(CT) produced a fabulous grant research summary
and did wonders with our sponsor database. Jonny
Benton (Larchmont) bolstered our online photo
archives by annotating several of the featured
collections. All in all, a productive summer, and we
appreciate all the hours they logged in on the
computer and away from the beach!
Get Involved!
U Help Wanted U Help Wanted U Help Wanted U Help Wanted U Help Wanted
U
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
We need people to join our committees!
4Cemetery Restoration Committee
42006 House Tour Committee
4Grant Research/Writing
4Publications (booklets,
brochures, materials)
4Membership Committee
4Video/Film Production
(testimonials, events)
425th Anniversary Event Committee
4Exhibit Development
4Historic Sites Committee
4Archives/Research
Call:
(914) 381-2239 or email: [email protected] or log
N
Neew
wsslleetttteerr DDeessiiggnneerr//EEddiittoorr W
Waanntteedd
Are you a graphic design whiz? We’re looking for someone to volunteer creative talent to
re-design our monthly newsletter to tie in with the look of our new website.
LHS also needs a volunteer monthly newsletter editor.
October 2005
W
WA
AN
NT
TE
ED
D::
YOUR HOME’S
ORIGINAL
INTERIOR DETAILS
TO PHOTOGRAPH
FOR A FUTURE
BOOK.
SEEKING PERIOD
TILES,
STAINED/LEADED
GLASS, WOODWORK,
LIGHTING FIXTURES,
WALLPAPER,
FLOORING,
HARDWARE, SINKS,
ETC…
I am an LHS Board Member
and an architectural historian
who would like to document your
home or building’s period
interior details for a book I am
writing. Please call:
The
LHS Bruce Allen
Archives
________________________________
Mamaroneck Town Center
740 West Boston Post Road
Suite 301
Mamaroneck, NY 10543
Tel: (914) 381-2239
E-Mail: [email protected]
Website: www.larchmonthistory.org
Archivist: Diane Holland
___________________________
Hours:
Tues. & Thurs: 9 am – 2 pm
(Other hours by appointment only)
E-mail us for more info: [email protected] or call the Archives: (914) 381-2239
3