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Roosevelt Island Historical Society Program
Roosevelt Island Branch of the NY Public Library
Meet Stacy Horn, Author of “Damnation Island”
Thursday, December 6th, 2018
6:30 pm
Roosevelt Island Branch Library, 524 Main Street
On a two-mile stretch of land in New York’s East River, a 19th-century horror story was unfolding . . .
Today we call it Roosevelt Island. Then, it was Blackwell’s, site of a lunatic asylum, two prisons, an almshouse, and a number of hospitals. Conceived as the most modern, humane incarceration facility the world ever seen, Blackwell’s Island quickly became, in the words of a visiting Charles Dickens, “a lounging, listless madhouse.”
In the first contemporary investigative account of Blackwell’s, Stacy Horn tells this chilling narrative through the gripping voices of the island’s inhabitants, as well as the period’s officials, reformers, and journalists, including the celebrated Nellie Bly. Digging through city records, newspaper articles, and archival reports, Horn brings this forgotten history alive: there was terrible overcrowding; prisoners were enlisted to care for the insane; punishment was harsh and unfair; and treatment was nonexistent.
Throughout the book, we return to the extraordinary Reverend William Glenney French as he ministers to Blackwell’s residents, battles the bureaucratic mazes of the Department of Correction and a corrupt City Hall, testifies at salacious trials, and in his diary wonders about man’s inhumanity to man. In Damnation Island, Stacy Horn shows us how far we’ve come in caring for the least fortunate among us—and reminds us how much work still remain.
All programs area free and open to the public.
For further information e-mail: Rooseveltislandhistory@gmail.com or 212 688-4836
Lecture Damnation Island at NYPL
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ROOSEVELT ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY
VISITOR CENTER HOLIDAY SHOPPING
December, 2018
Daily, except Tuesday
11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Saturdays 11:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.
SPECIAL EVENING OPENINGS
WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY
DEC. 19, 20, 21
11 A.M. TO 8 P.M.
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Hidden Queens
Lecture on Roosevelt Island
Beaches. Parks. Battlegrounds. Cemeteries. It’s all in Queens. Take an eclectic tour of the history, geography and citizenry of our neighbor borough and explore the mini-world that awaits you there. Richard Panchyk will share facts and insights from his book, Hidden History of Queens, at a lecture presented by the Roosevelt Island Historical Society at the New York Public Library Branch on Roosevelt Island, on Thursday, November 8, 2018 at 6:30 p.m.
The event is FREE and open to the public. It is the first in the Society’s annual series of fall lectures, which is supported by funds provided by Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation’s Public Purpose Fund and New York City Council Member Ben Kallos, with funding from the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development.
DIRECTIONS: Take the Tram at 59th Street and Second Avenue or the F train to Roosevelt Island. Take the red bus (no charge) or walk eight minutes north to 524 Main Street.
The Roosevelt Island Historical Society promotes awareness of the Island’s unique story and pursues preservation of its landmarks and artifacts.
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Roosevelt Island Historical Society Lecture Series—FREE
New York Public Library Branch
524 Main St., 6:30 pm
Thursday, November 8
“Hidden History of Queens”
Richard Panchyk talks about his new book on the secrets and surprises behind the borough’s
development.
Thursday, December 6
“Damnation Island”
A deep dive into 19th century Blackwell’s Island and its institutions, based on author Stacy
Horn’s new book.
Thursday, January 17
“Architectural Restoration”
Architect Thomas Fenniman reviews his recent restoration projects.
Thursday, February 7
“Eleanor Roosevelt”
Blanche Weisen Cooks discusses her new book (part 3 of a series) about our historic First Lady.
