and The Roosevelt Island Branch New York Public Library

Present

Roosevelt Island on Film

A FREE series of unusual films about our island

at 524 Main Street

Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at 6:30 p.m.

Modern Marvels: New York Bridges © 1999 A &E Television Networks
The story of the Queensboro Bridge and its construction. The bridge celebrated its centennial in 2009.

New York’s Last Trolleys © 2008 Sunday River Productions

Nostalgic Trolley Tour: Queens Trolleys © 1999 Mark I Video

Both videos bring to life the sites, sounds and bumpy rides of the trolleys that rode over the Queensboro Bridge from 1916 to 1957, and show Welfare Island in the 1950’s.

Next …

March 16, 2010: Hospitals, Nurses and Patients

A Century of Caring © 2006 Metropolitan Hospital School of Nursing Alumnae Association

Take a trip to the 1950’s showing the Island and the Nursing Students in this classic video with great insights into the pre-Roosevelt Island days.

Angela’s Island © The true story of a Goldwater Hospital resident who struggled to become independent and live on her own. The poignant tale of eleven-year-old Angela, who amazingly overcomes the problems of a paraplegic. Her rehabilitation counselor, herself handicapped by polio, works with Angela to help her learn to cope and function in society. Angela’s mother recalls the tragedy of Angela’s birth and its devastating impact on the family, when her father deserted them.

March 23, 2010: Community Garden

The Garden Written and Directed by Charles Dumas © 1993 Dumas Enterprises

The story of a newcomer to the Island who meets her neighbors while working a plot in the community garden.  All the actors and the director, Charles Dumas, lived on the island.

for our

3nd  Annual Magnolia Blossom Walk

Saturday, April 3, 2010

11:00 a.m.

Tour leaves from in front of The Octagon, 888 Main Street

AND

3nd  Annual Cherry Blossom Walk

Saturday, April 24, 2010

11:00 a.m.

Tour leaves from the Visitor Center

Tram Plaza, Roosevelt Island

Suggested Donation: $5.00

Reservations requested:  212-688-4836

A FREE series of unusual films about our island, at 624 Main St.Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at 6:30 p.m.

The Other Islands of New York City ©  2002 Glazen Creative Group
Explore Roosevelt Island with Al Lewis (Grandpa Munster), a long-time resident. A fun look at the residential community. Adapted from a book of the same title.

2009 Holiday Card by Yvonne Smith

Photo 1 The Welfare Island Bridge went directly to the West Road. There was no Main Street. To the south are the Cancer and Neurological Hospitals.

Photo 2 South view of area that now includes PS/IS 217 and Westview

Photo 3 A forlorn and empty Chapel of the Good Shepherd. Next to it is the Good Samaritan German Lutheran Church. The buildings surrounding them were part of the City Home, a home for elderly, sickly and impoverished.

Photo 4 Entwined in the weeds are the three wings of Blackwell House. The north wing was demolished during its 1975 restoration.  To the south is the driveway and entrance to the Central Nurses Residence.

Photo 5 Goldwater Memorial Hospital from the east with the now demolished City Hospital to the south.  The City Hospital was built from east to west across the island.  The walls of the hospital were quarried from the stone on the island.

Photo 6 From the south looking to the island is the Smallpox Hospital. The building to the east of the center of the hospital “H” is Brennan Hall, part of the complex. This building was demolished very soon after this photo was taken.  The buildings just north were part of the complex of nursing school and staff housing.