STRECKER MEMORIAL LABORATORY (excerpt from Landmarks Designation Report 1976)
The small Romanesque Revival Strecker Memorial Laboratory is located at the southern end of Roosevelt Island, originally situated between the Smallpox Hospital and the now demolished Charity Hospital.
Before Charity Hospital was demolished, the Laboratory provided an interesting contrast to both Hospitals in terms of scale and style. Designed by New York architects Frederick Clarke Withers & Walter Dickson, the building was constructed in 1892 and was administered under the direction of Charity (later City) Hospital to conduct pathological and bacteriological work. The building was the gift of the daughter of a Mr. Strecker, and as Dr. Charles G. Child Jr. wrote in his history of City Hospital (1904) it was “an illustration of what lasting good an intelligent woman can do to perpetuate the memory of a dear one.”’
Pathological medicine made rapid advances during the 19th century, and laboratories such as this one reflect the increasingly scientific nature of its study and investigation.
The first floor of Strecker Memorial Laboratory featured a room for the routine examination of specimens, an autopsy room, as well as a mortuary. On the second floor were rooms for more detailed research and experimentation. In 1905, the laboratory was remodeled, probably at the urging of the head pathologist Horst Oertel. Oertel was an emigrant to the United States and, as such, was well acquainted with the pioneering work in pathology being carried on in Europe at the time by prominent individuals such as Rudolf Virchow. The remodeling in 1905, which included the addition of a third story to the laboratory, provided facilities for histological examination as well as museum and library space.
In 1907, Oertel received an endowment provided by the Russell Sage Foundation, and thus the “Russell Sage Institute of Pathology” was first house in the Laboratory. When new facilities for this Institute were built, it relocated, while Strecker Memorial Laboratory continued to serve as the pathological center for City Hospital and the City Home (formerly Almshouse).
To be continued: The abandonment and future
In 2000 I met photographer Anne Kayser. As an art student at Parsons School of Design and School of Visual Arts from 1963-1967 she photographed the abandoned buildings on Welfare Island. She mapped and noted every area that she explored. She constructed a roadmap of the ruined structures that were demolished a few years after her visits.
She was one of many students, urban explorers and curious who were fascinated and explored this mostly abandoned island and the hauntingly beautiful ruins. You are welcome to visit the Archives in the future and view the entire Anne Kayser portfolio.
These photos are copyrighted by Anne Kayser (c) 2000
Interior of Pathology Laboratory
EDITORIAL
There are no words to express my reaction at the front of this postcard received today.
I respect and observe all information on the reverse.
Charles Dickens dislikes spitting; finds sanitary conditions in America not up-to-snuff; visits Blackwell’s Island; shortens his visit
Robin Lynn
In 1842 Dickens toured America, traveling widely, mostly on the East Coast and the Great Lakes region, and even coming to Roosevelt Island, then named Blackwell’s Island, to visit the Island’s Lunatic Asylum. Because of his interests in public and mental health issues, he was determined to visit prisons and mental institutions. As a social reformer, he made it a point to tour Blackwell’s Island Lunatic Asylum to see patients and conditions.
When he published his observations in American Notes for General Circulation, in London the same year, he was forthright about what he had seen. Rowed across the East River by convicts enlisted from the island’s penitentiary, Dickens “much admired the architecture, calling the building “handsome” and the Octagon an especially “elegant” feature; but he further commented in his American Notes (1842):… everything [at the Asylum] had a lounging, listless, madhouse air which was very painful.”
(New York City Landmarks Preservation report)
So unsettling was his visit that he wrote,“The terrible crowd with which these halls and galleries were filled, so shocked me, that I abridged my stay within the shortest limits, and declined to see that portion of the building in which the refractory and violent were under closer restraint.”
As he continued his travels, and as the crowds gathered to greet him, Dickens saw more Americans up close and more than his share of tobacco chewers spitting out their tobacco juice. Though germ theories of the time weren’t advanced, he knew bad behavior when he saw it.
And where were of the worst of the appalling spitters? Our nation’s capitol. “Washington may be called the head-quarters of tobacco-tinctured saliva,” Dickens fumed in American Notes. “The thing itself is an exaggeration of nastiness, which cannot be outdone.”
This was, after all, a time when the halls of Congress were festooned with spittoons to catch the Congressman’s liquid buildup when they needed to spit it out.And so they did, on fellow citizens, on sidewalks; on each other, and sometimes even in the spittoons.
As Dickens travelled – from city to city- he kept comparing sanitary conditions. Boston, where he landed, he found to be cleaner than New York. But the dirtiest part of America, and the part that he railed against the most in American Notes, was the institution of slavery. Beyond all comprehension and by far the dirtiest part of America.
Dirty institutions, dirty behavior, dirty cities, Dickens spoke up and out more than 170 years ago. serves as a keeper of lost and found items.
The lovely blossoms next to the Tram Tower Judith Berdy
Editorial BY: Judith Berdy
After 24 hours in my apartment, it was time to wander south. Have to check on the situation south of the Blackwell House. Yes, Blackwell House a victim of being quarantined from the community for decades.
Chatting with a 29 year old neighbor who has spent his entire life on the island, we discussed the effect of the pandemic on his generation. We agree it is a slap-in-face for the me generation. We imagined all of the hipsters not affording their Williamsburg and LIC apartments and now back home to mom and dad. (“hang up your clothes and do you think you are a guest in a hotel, did you forget how to use a washer?”)
In Southpoint Park the geese are nesting and, like worried parents, are honking warnings to anyone approaching.
As I passed Strecker Laboratory I look east to the underbrush and nesting spots that are slowly turning green. This is the area where RIOC wants to “improve” the area and build a new seawall. I admired the natural scene. Far from manicured it is thriving and should never be destroyed.
Local Artist, Henry Dancig, is selling his original artwork. His artist statement is below.
To Friends and family, It is my great pleasure to announce the opening of the new exhibition “Rainbows and Stars” featuring the work of Henry Dancig artist in residence near New York. Please see his works in this virtual gallery.
Mr. Dancig notes that he was inspired to create these piece “by the beautiful world around me and I wanted to draw the beautiful world.”
We believe you will find attachment a work of art for every taste and every price range. (Note: prices do not reflect gallery, shipping and handling fees). We hope you have a beautiful day.
Staff -New York Emerging Artist in Residence Program.
Here is a vintage tidbit from 1971. Sunken treasures were found while digging trenches in the East River for the 63rd Street subway tunnel. Needless-to-say the anchors never ended up at the South Street Seaport Museum and one never was displayed at our subway station. Can we say they were “lost-in-transit?”
The internet often serves as a keeper of lost and found items. This morning while scrolling through Google Images, we came upon this photograph of women, circa mid- to late 19th century, walking in front of the Asylum on Blackwell’s Island (now Octagon tower). It is allegedly the first photograph of the building that shows it being used as the Asylum. We are attempting to track down the image source.
If you have any interesting photographs or ephemera from the early days of the Island that you have come across and you’d like to share, please reach out to RIHS for a potential feature in our FROM THE ARCHIVES series.
Joseph Pulitzer: Voice of the People is an exploration of the famous publisher and the story of his beginning and becoming a leading newspaper person in the late 1800’s. The movie focuses on his fascinating methods of operating and his physical disabilities that made him a recluse. The video is available on Amazon Prime Video. Click here to view.
HUMOR IN THE HEADLINES These past weeks have been and continue to be, by and large, serious and somber. Time for a little “Humor in the Headlines,” Roosevelt Island style. By: Judith Berdy
“RIOC adds new steps in hand washing by opening riverfront dock with diving board for a full body wash, soap not included” “Catapult strung across river in Manhattan. In a rush, use your Metrocard to be propelled to the big island. Land carefully.”
“Sheep have been imported to mow the island lawns. Sheep will not be permitted on Rivercross lawn until interviewed by Board.”
“Rooftop seating available on Tram. Premium tickets will be sold at the RIHS Visitor Center Kiosk”
“Always wanted to have a small, intimate wedding? The kiosk is available for your ceremony. Bride, Groom and Officiant only. Finally, you do not have to invite Aunt Gertie.”
“One escalator will be turned off in subway station for an express ride down by daredevils. Hard hat and landing mattress required.”
GUEST EDITORIAL BY: BEANO, THE CAT
I am about 19 years old and have spent most of my life with Marie. Marie and family recently left me with this woman down the hall. I think it has been about 6 months. For the first few months I stayed home alone. Perfectly fine with me. I am deaf and I could do yoga, meditate and watch pigeons on the terrace every day. I perfected sleeping on every surface: dining room table, rocking chair, bed (leaving hairballs there), and even in the corner so no one would fine me. I stayed clear of closets, with old sneakers in them…..yuck.
Lady invited me to her petite domain. Only two rooms. No terrace. Aside from my own boudoir it was a definite downturn.
Lady is okay. She feeds me twice a day. I am not used to regular meal done exactly 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. I hold out and only eat in the middle-of the- night. I need my privacy.
My boudoir is fine…a whole room for me. I have to share it with a shopping cart, but beats closet doors closing in on my area.
Lady has a red laser light and we chase it around the house. That is the most gym-like activity I have had in years.
Lady does not stop talking, typing, cooking. cleaning … a whirlwind of activity in my home. My deafness makes it easy for me to curl up on her wing chair and sleep. When she gets bored she wakes me up, flips me over, clips my nails and cleans my ears…………..disgusting!!!
Recently she tried to get me a mask to protect me from a human virus. I a cat and would not think of catching a disease from a human and good luck getting me to wear personal protection!!!!
This weekend we negotiated my vacation alone at home. I will catch up on reading “Kitty Kat, Kitty Kat Where Have You Been”.
Please send me your photos and stories of how you are coping with the humans being home all the time.
WE MISS YOU!! LIKE ALL NON-ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES ON THE ISLAND, THE RIHS VISITOR CENTER IS CLOSED FOR THE DURATION!
We have a supply of 3D Puzzles in the kiosk. There are Empire State Building, Chrysler Building and Statue of Liberty models. We would love to distribute them to families who can use these as a family construction project. We would ask you to then send us images of the project and your family construction workers. If you are interested e-mail Jbird134@aol.com. ALL THESE KITS ARE BRAND NEW, IN ORIGINAL PACKAGING AND THE PIECES ARE IN SEALED PLASTIC WRAPPING.
TO READ ALL OUR BLACKWELL’S ALMANAC ARTICLES GO TO: WWW.RIHS. US AND CLICK LINK ON LEFT SIDE OF PAGE
Articles Relevant to Roosevelt Island
Vol I, No 1 Blackwell House: Our Link to the 18th Century The Many Lives of the Visitor Center Kiosk
Vol I, No 2 A Family’s Life on RI—130 Years Ago, Part I Religious RI: A Richness of Worship Cherry Blossom Contender
Vol I, No 3 Leading the Way: Our Island and the March of Medicine, Part 1—City Hospital A Family’s Life on RI—130 Years Ago, Part 2
Vol I, No 4 Leading the Way: Our Island and the March of Medicine, Part II—The Smallpox Hospital A Family’s Life on RI—130 Years Ago, Part 3
Vol II, No 1 A Family’s Life on RI—130 Years Ago, Part 4
Vol II, No 2 A Royal Visit—Wherein the Royal Visitor Is Inspired Back from the Disappeared: Three Historic RI Murals Leading the Way: Our Island and the March of Medicine, Part 3—The Maternity Pavilion
Vol II, No 3 The Lunatic Asylum: A Tomb of Living Horrors
Vol II, No 4 A Humble Side of History: The Almshouse Ledger Collection
Vol III, No 1 The Island Laundry: From Modern Miracle to Modern Art
Vol III, No 2 Metropolitan Hospital Goes to “The Great War” Metropolitan Doctor, Part 1
Vol III, No 3 Metropolitan Doctor, Part 2 RI Inspires the Visual Arts: Currier & Ives/Fanny Palmer
Vol III, No 4 Affordable Housing: The Story of Eastwood (Note: this would have to be carved out of much larger article about affordable housing in general.) Metropolitan Doctor, Part 3
Vol IV, No 1 RI Inspires the Visual Arts: Edward Hopper’s Blackwell’s Island Metropolitan Doctor, Part 4
Vol IV, No 2 The FDNY on Roosevelt Island Our Island Penitentiary: A Day in the Life From the RIHS Archive: Elesio Mastrocola: Immigrant and Prison Inmate
Vol IV, No 3 The Blackwell’s Island “Light”: Tinged with Mystery and Disapproval (Sidebar:) James Renwick, Jr., Architect
Vol IV, No 4 From the RIHS Archive: Blackwell’s Island Pioneers the Dedicated TB Infirmary
Vol V, No 1 The Roosevelt Island that Never Was RI Inspires the Visual Arts: Louis Kahn’s Four Freedoms Park
Vol V, No 2 “My Mission Here Has Been Filled”: The Story of Private Jarratt at Base Hospital 48 during the Great War From the RIHS Archive: An Object and Its Owner
Vol V, No 3 Postcards from the Penitentiary (and Other Blackwell’s Island Sites) From the RIHS Archive: Chapel of the Holy Spirit: A Difficult Past, and Uncertain Future
Vol VI, No 1 Getting Here! Bridge(s) Over Turbid Waters
EDITORIAL
Tomorrow is our 10th issue. How did this happen? I must say that putting together this newsletter has kept my sanity. It has also been a great excuse to dig out old files and archives. Needless to say a lot of the materials are stacked up and waiting for “manana” to be filed.
On my daily walk I stopped at Cornell Tech Bloomberg Cafe for a cup of coffee. Sitting outside in the crisp sunshine I chatted with Noam and his two children. His daughter told me all about PS 217 classes and her assignments. A very mature young lady and her descriptions of school were great. I have heard from other parents that they realize what skills their kids have, now that they watch them do their schoolwork.
A number of families were at the campus with kids having plenty of space to run around and be kids. The first magnolias are in bloom and green is popping up from the winter stagnation.
Text by Judith Berdy Thanks to Bobbie Slonevsky for her dedication to Blackwell’s Almanac and the RIHS Thanks to Deborah Dorff for maintaining our website Edited by Melanie Colter and Dottie Jeffries
“I am a social painter or photographer…I find difficulty in making distinctions between photography and painting. Both are pictures.”–Ben ShahnA surge in radical political movements, efforts at social reform, and attempts by diverse populations to establish a national identity contributed to the upheaval that engulfed the United States during the Depression. Many artists who were radicalized by the events of the day became activists and sought work on New Deal relief programs. Among them was Ben Shahn (1898–1969), an artist whose socialist Jewish family had fled czarist Russia in 1906 and settled in Brooklyn.In the early 1930s, Shahn abandoned his interest in European modern art, creating instead incisive realist images, depicting what he called the “social view,” that addressed the issues dominating public debate. The development of Shahn’s social-realist vision was infused by his commitment to leftist politics and his interest in the cultural force of mass media during the 1930s. Shahn first became interested in photography at a time when rotogravure reproductions of photographs in newspapers and magazines served as essential source material for his polemic paintings and satiric caricatures. News photographs inspired Shahn to imbue such works as his famous gouache series The Passion of Sacco–Vanzetti as well as The Mooney Case with a quality of reportage that was favorably noted by many of his contemporaries. Although he became widely known at this time as a painter, muralist, and graphic artist, he was also making formidable photographs.Between 1932 and 1935, Shahn joined the vanguard of the social-documentary movement, making street photographs that defined life in New York City through the prosaic activities and expressive gestures of ordinary people. In addition to photographing activity on the sidewalks of lower and midtown Manhattan, he documented demonstrations for expanded work-relief programs and protest marches against social injustice in and around Union Square and City Hall. In preparation for one of his earliest murals, he also photographed inmates and prison officials at Blackwell’s Island Penitentiary and the New York City Reformatory. All of Shahn’s New York photographs address such topical issues as unemployment, poverty, immigration, and social reform and their connection to race and class.Shahn used a handheld 35-millimeter Leica camera. This tiny, lightweight apparatus allowed him to move unobtrusively through the crowded immigrant neighborhoods of New York City, documenting daily life. He oriented his camera horizontally and tended to photograph at eye level and at fairly close range, thereby placing the viewer in the midst of the scene. He found that by affixing to his camera a miniature periscope-style attachment known as an angle viewfinder, he could capture passersby unaware. The artist could thus present his subjects “immersed in a private world,” as Bernarda Bryson Shahn observed. This “arresting of unconscious mood,” she affirmed, constituted “one of the distinguishing marks of all of Shahn’s photographic work.”Compelling examples of social-realist art in their own right, Shahn’s New York photographs also inspired many of his most important paintings, murals, and drawings. Ben Shahn’s New York explores how the artist’s earliest photographs provided him with a fundamental means of interpreting urban life in modern times and shaped a highly influential documentary aesthetic that would influence and characterize his work for decades.
FROM THE ARCHIVE
This is the sixth in our series of historical articles from the RIHS Archives
It was “bring your own seating” for outdoor activities at the Penitentiary
BEN SHAHN was a Lituanian born artist.
These are some of the images Shahn took of the Penitentiary.
Editorial
As I sit here writing this edition, a show is on TV about the “Food that Built America”,. Other favorites are any “Law and Order”, for early morning entertainment try “How It’s Made” on the Science Channel. Yes, I watch the news but the soothing voice of Sam Waterson makes me feel better.
I have to thank my great support system at the CARTER BURDEN SENIOR CENTER. I volunteer there and we “seniors” are being well taken care of with meals to go, boxed shelf stable meals, and the support you get from hearing from the staff; Lisa, Fred, Ulisa, Pat, Nancy and Brenda.
Our building staff, tram staff, RIOC staff, are all at work whether in person or from home keeping the island on an even keel.
Thanks to our neighbors who took out their sewing machines and made masks for our island workers.
To my friends at Coler, we miss you. We miss the guys from Open Doors. We know how hard it is to be confirmed to the campus and not be able to travel the island and beyond, To the Coler staff and the incoming Bellevue staff, we salute you. We will welcome our ROOSEVELT ISLAND MEDICAL CENTER patients starting this week.(The name of the 350 bed hospital units being set-up at Coler).
There is a quote from Revered Oliver Chapin “Keep on keeping on”
In the 1980’s Santiago Calatrava was commissioned to design a visitor pavilion at the south end of Roosevelt Island. The project was never completed and Calatrava went on to design projects all over the world.
Calatrava designed The City of Science in Valencia, Spain. The building included an opera house, science center and aquarium. Built in a park setting the City is most impressive in the brilliant Spanish sunshine.
THE DELACORTE FOUNTAIN
In 1968 Philanthropist George Delacorte announced the donation of a fountain to be placed at the southern tip of Roosevelt Island.The plume of water was to rise 400 feet in the air making it the tallest fountain of its kind in the world.The work was delayed by two years over worries of the river water being polluted and the need for installation of a chlorination plant at the site. River currents also impacted the fountains mechanisms. When the fountain finally was turned on it defoliated the area surrounding it. Some neighbors on Beekman and Sutton Place were so distressed by the unsightly area that they had trees planted around the area. The trees soon died from the water spray. The fountain was turned off in the 1980s and dismantled soon after.
The sad sight of the fountain with the dead trees. Note the WTC in the distance.
Tomorrow. Photos from inside the Blackwell’s Island Penitentiary by Ben Shahn. Pardon the poor quality, we are working on improvements. (c) Photos Copyright Harvard University Fogg Museum
Text and Curated by Judith Berdy Edited by Melanie Colter and Dottie Jeffries
THESE DAYS WE FEEL WE NEED SPIDERMAN TO CONQUER COVID-19 (c) Marvel Comics Group November, 1980
FROM THE ARCHIVE
IMAGE: MEDICAL STAFF FROM GOLDWATER HOSPITAL/ 1970’s (c) RIHS
Founding Fathers of NIH (including a Nobel Prize winner) hailed from Roosevelt Island by Dottie Jeffries
With the National Institutes of Health (NIH) much in the news these days (think Anthony S. Fauci, MD, NIAID Director who is a lead in the White House briefings on COVID-19) , RIHS recalls the Island’s extraordinary history with the National Institutes of Health and with medical research at large. The early career experiences of these medical leaders on Roosevelt Island were seminal to their later accomplishments.
James Augustine Shannon, MD (1904-1994) who served as NIH Director from 1955-1968 had previously directed research at Roosevelt Island’s Goldwater Memorial Hospital (then affiliated with New York University) from 1940-1945. Dr. Shannon had first arrived at NIH in 1949, recruited from Roosevelt Island, as Associate Director in charge of research in the National Heart Institute and then went on to become NIH Director. Dr. Shannon was recognized for his original research in kidney function, chemotherapy, and malaria. Throughout his career, he was devoted to medical research, teaching, and public service.
Julius Axelrod, PhD (1912-2004) was a biochemist who also did research at Goldwater Hospital. In 1946, Dr. Axelrod began work under a leading drug researcher of the time, Bernard Brodie, PhD. The research experience and mentorship Axelrod received from Brodie would launch Axelrod on his research career. In 1949, Axelrod was recruited to work at the National Heart Institute, forerunner of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), part of the NIH. Dr. Axelrod won a share of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1970 along with Bernard Katz, MD and Ulf von Euler, MD.
Medical Science Born of this Island By: Judith Berdy
This Island has always been a hub of medical and science research. Strecker Memorial Laboratory opened under the auspices of the Russell Sage Institute. The laboratory did pathological studies, research attached to the City Hospital, which was located adjacent to the lab. The building was closed in the 1950’s as a research facility.
In a history of Goldwater Hospital in 1950 we find that in 1935 The Research Council of the Department of Hospitals issued a general order to”foster medical research in the Department’s Hospitals”
When Goldwater Hospital opened under the name “Chronic Disease Hospital” in 1939, separate wards were designated for study of patients. The participating institution were Columbia University and NYU. The units located in the northernmost building adjacent to the research laboratories. After World War ll, it became know that Goldwater participated in secret research on malaria chemotherapy and other government authorized studies.
Among the projects was one studying marijuana for a small group of women. No results were published in this report.
Under the direction of Dr Howard Rusk, ground-breaking rehabilitation physician a 50 bed female and 50 bed male unit were set up for rehabilitation including a gymnasium and physical therapy division.
Goldwater was also accredited to maintain internships in medicine, neurology, pathology, physical medicine , anesthesiology and surgery. Dental internships an residencies were provided along with training for practical nurses
One challenge of the hospital was admitting patients with chronic disease and not custodial care. Many admissions were for polio patients and their treatment.
SUGGESTIONS + COMMENTS W E L C O M E
What other topics would you like to learn about? We have many items having to do with the island’s history in our archive and would love an opportunity to share this information with you. Please submit suggestions to Judith Berdy
This is the fifth in a series of historical excerpts from the Archives of the RIHS
Copyright RIHS 2020 (c).
CHECK OUT our newest graphic @ the RIHS Visitor’s Center Kiosk!
FROM THE ARCHIVE
THE IMAGES BELOW WERE DONATED TO THE RIHS FROM DICK LUTZ, EDITOR OF THE MAIN STREET WIRE, UPON HIS RETIREMENT.
THE WARDEN’S HOME // BLACKWELL’S ISLAND, 1934 IMAGE FEATURED IN IMAGES OF ROOSEVELT ISLAND (CLICK TO ORDER OUR BOOK, WHICH SUPPORTS OUR PUBLIC MISSION AND PROGRAMS)
One of our favorite photographs is that of the Warden’s House, located just north of the former Penitentiary, which is now site of the Sports Park. Just south of the house were the walls of the prison.
Note the in-ground swimming pool and diving board. These extravagant features make it evident that the administration was used to living in luxury, and undoubtedly a factor in their notorious corruption. Mayor Fiorello opened a corruption investigation into the administration, and eventually closed the Penitentiary in 1936.
THE QUEENSBORO BRIDGE TROLLEY // WELFARE ISLAND IMAGE FEATURED IN IMAGES OF ROOSEVELT ISLAND (CLICK TO ORDER OUR BOOK, WHICH SUPPORTS OUR PUBLIC MISSION AND PROGRAMS)
From 1916 to 1957 the trolley rolled over the lower level outer roadways and over the Queensboro bridge, stopping mid-bridge to discharge and pick-up passengers.
ABANDONED TROLLEYS // WELFARE ISLAND IMAGE FEATURED IN IMAGES OF ROOSEVELT ISLAND (CLICK TO ORDER OUR BOOK, WHICH SUPPORTS OUR PUBLIC MISSION AND PROGRAMS)
In 1957 the trolley service was discontinued. And with the opening of the Welfare Island Bridge, the trolley cars were abandoned. The last trolley car #602 was sent to the Kingston, NY Trolley Museum where it was scrapped for parts.
EDITORIAL
It was a crisp spring day today and perfect to visit Southpoint Park. There were many folks walking through the park.
I stopped by the Wildlife Freedom Foundation Cat Sanctuary. The feline residents were enjoying their meal, completely oblivious to social separation.
SPECIAL EDITION MARCH 21, 2020 CELEBRATING OUR ISLAND
This is the fourth in a series of historical articles
Wonders of Roosevelt Island Stephen BlankMember of the Board, Roosevelt Island Historical Society January 8, 2020
When Lynn and I arrived on Roosevelt Island 43 years ago, we were fascinated by this new urban community recently linked to the “mainland” by an aerial tramway. With its Main Street, diverse population, shops, network of new organizations, odd school system (two grades housed in each of the 5 residential buildings) and hearty band of pioneers, it seemed like another world. And beautiful: The view from the Island compared with Naples, Haifa or Hong Kong. Simply wonderful.
The view was indeed wonderful, but in 1977, little was left intact on the once crowded island where many medical and social institutions serving New York’s poor, afflicted and criminal were once found, including the infamous Blackwell’s Island Penitentiary and the iconic Insane Asylum. (A word of explanation. Our island was inherited by the Blackwell family in 1685 and known as Blackwell’s Island for the next 250 years. In 1921, the name was changed to Welfare Island, for obvious reasons. Finally in 1973, Welfare Island was renamed Roosevelt Island.) At that point, there were few functional buildings – including the 5 WIRE residential buildings, the Chapel of Good Shepherd and Goldwater and Bird S. Coler hospitals.
Blackwell’s Island’s population had begun to decline at the end of the 19th century. In the 1930s, Robert Moses wanted to tear down everything that remained and make a great public park here. Another idea floated about the same time was to create a new hospital park on the island. The Central Nurses Residence opened in 1939 (the empty building was demolished in 2002) and Goldwater hospital opened in 1938, replacing the Blackwell Island penitentiary. Bird S. Coler Hospital opened in 1952, the last of the pre-Roosevelt Island constructions. These hospitals joined two older facilities – City Hospital at the southern end of the island and Metropolitan Hospital at the northern end. The fire training facility and laundry were operating and nurses training went on.
So, in the early 1950s, parts of Welfare Island were still functioning. But much of it had been allowed to deteriorate. Soon, only Goldwater and Coler would remain. Most of the island’s buildings were left to ruin. Welfare Island, over the years between the early 1930s and the early 1970s, wrote Judy Berdy in her Images of America volume on Roosevelt Island, “became a haunted, desolate landscape full of wonderful, abandoned buildings…”
We pioneers learned only later how our children played in the ruins. Actually, not just children. Lynn and I tried to figure a way to drag the enormous pews out of the half collapsed Catholic church. The neglect was painful. We watched the old City Hospital that stretched from east to west across the island burn and the glorious interior of the old insane asylum was trashed. But on each July 4th, we were permitted walk down to the southern tip of the island to watch the Macy fireworks, through a field of milled stones from former medical buildings
Welfare Island had once been well manicured. There were gardens and lawns. But decades before the first new Roosevelt Island building began, much of the island had gone to seed and the remains of many buildings of Welfare Island were overgrown. No one recalls precisely what was growing here in the 1950s or ‘60s, but photos from this period show open fields and stands of trees. Native as well as non-native flora repopulated the island. The cover was surely similar to what would grow unmanaged across this part of New York. We know that there were some fine trees – American elms that would die in the 1950s because of Dutch elm disease as well as pin oaks, London plane trees, red maples and the invasive Norway maples some of which continue to survive today. Some wildlife had found their way to the island. There are reports of pheasants roaming around, a yellow fox, maybe even a turkey living on the southern end of the island.
**** From the beginning, efforts to restore Welfare Island (and create Roosevelt Island) focused on the built environment.
****
In October 1969, a team headed by Philip Johnson and John Burgee prepared a report on “the Island Nobody Knows”, one of the first steps taken toward the redevelopment of the island. The report concentrated on the remarkable buildings – or remains of buildings – found on the island, its “important landmarks”. It laid out splendid ideas for “docks and harbors for water buses and taxis of the sort that have long and efficiently served Venice… and two glass-tower elevators for pedestrian access from the 59th St Bridge.” The danger is, the authors write, that if steps are not taken quickly, these remarkable assets will be forgotten. We live today with several of these assets – the Chapel of Good Shepherd remains a central community resource, the Octagon has been rebuilt and the Smallpox Hospital remains – but with an uncertain future.
*** There are other remarkable assets on our island, assets we look at every day but rarely see. These are our natural treasures – what grows here and lives here and visits here. The natural environment is as vital in our island’s past and to its future as the built environment.
***
A grand change that has taken place over the past decades is the island’s setting in the East River. When we arrived in 1977, the East River was dirty – really dirty – and while we were told fish skulked at the bottom, that was hard to believe. Today, natural life has re-emerged. The Audubon Society says that more than a dozen species of water birds have returned to the area since the 1970’s, including eight species of heron and egret alone. There’s much more life in the water. Hard to believe: Whale sightings in New York City waters – out to sea, not in the harbor! – have jumped from 5 to 272 since 2010. This is not due solely to cleaner water. Climate change is important, too, as are longer-term efforts to restore several strains of bird life. But the NYC Department of Environmental Protection reports that NY harbor is cleaner today than it’s been in nearly 110 years.
The East River if not quite drinkable, is much cleaner, enough so that kayakers and jet skiers no longer draw a startled look. Our island’s setting has been transformed over the past few decades, and our river setting is more in touch with the natural world than has been the case in decades – or more.
In creating the new Roosevelt Island, from the Lighthouse Park in the north to the FDR Memorial in the south, most of the wild vegetation that had grown up since the 1930s was destroyed. A Survey of Trees on Roosevelt Island was carried out in 2012, and counted some 1500 trees of all types including more recently planted linden and ginkgoes along Main Street. We do not know what was cut down in the original WIRE construction, but we know that 107 trees were lost when the Cornell campus was built and 137 were destroyed by Hurricane Sandy. Some older trees do remain and some creative landscaping has been done – for example, the planting of native plants in Southpoint Park, such as the ironweed, Joe Pye, and switchgrass at the northern entrance. Roosevelt Island, especially in the moment of Cherry Blossoms, is a very beautiful place.
There’s more aquatic life, and the wildfowl are remarkable. If you walk on the island you will see much more life. Gulls, of course, and other fowl – and, no, not just the ubiquitous Canada geese many of which no longer migrate. Rossana Ceruzzi, Executive Director of the Wildlife Freedom Foundation, the island’s licensed wildlife expert, says that the island now hosts swans, herons, cormorants, as well as other variants of migratory geese which visit us en route in spring and fall. She tells us that a whole zoological garden of critters live here, too: raccoons, opossums (probably brought here and abandoned) and even small brow bats (which few of us actually see) as well as the ever energetic eastern grey squirrels and their mutant black cousins.
In this era, “no one thought of natural space,” says Michael Feller, a naturalist and educator who regularly brings his School of Visual Arts students to Roosevelt Island. The Johnson and Burgee report suggested the creation of a 25 acre “ecological park” stretching southward from the Octagon (which was to be preserved and rehabilitated). “Here there would be reconstructed”, the report said, “all the innumerable environmental conditions that exit in our part of the country, to enable visitors, young and old, to study the interaction of natural organisms with their man-made surroundings.” This park would be “unique, not only in this country but throughout the world.” But the idea here was a built park, not to preserve the wild growth that had emerged in the previous decades.
***
One wild area one the island dating back to the 1930s-‘50s does survive.
***
Our remaining wild area is the fenced-off east and west shoreline of Southpoint Park. These areas have been largely neglected since the development of the Park which opened in August, 2011 (although they were used as dumps for materials gathered from the southern end of the island). A positive aspect of this human inattention has been that wildlife has found safe, welcoming habitat along the shore and within these two small areas (estimated to be about 1.4 acres in total), because human presence is restricted by fencing along the interior boundaries.
Our friend and fellow Roosevelt Islander, the naturalist Jack Burkhalter tells us that many native and migratory birds have found homes or feed and rest here. On the western shoreline Canada geese nest and rear their goslings, who often trail their parents throughout the Park, to the delight of visitors. In addition, the shoreline habitat has been home to Mallard ducks and their ducklings. In the fall, white-throated sparrows and song sparrows have been seen eating the seeds of native switchgrass while perched on the tall grass stems. On the eastern shoreline, the thicket of trees, saplings, and forbs provides shelter and food for many native species of birds, including the black-crowned night heron, tufted titmice, gray catbirds, Northern mockingbirds, house finches, song sparrows, among others. The tree nests of American robins and mockingbirds have been sighted as well. Insect life provides diversity and food for birds. Monarch butterflies, milkweed bugs, and milkweed tussock moth caterpillars have been observed there. Native trees such as silver maple, cottonwood, green ash, and red mulberry live here, and native plants growing in this shoreline habitat include New England aster, common milkweed, fleabanes, white snakeroot, and goldenrods. The area is also home to invasive species such as Japanese knotweed and rampant field bindweed.
These small areas host a wide array of plants and provide habitats for birds and insects. More, they provide our island with an irreplaceable link to its past.
*** In many ways, the island project has done well. Our unique urban community, the aerial Tram, the new Cornell Tech Campus, our famous cherry blossoms and the FDR Memorial have made Roosevelt Island a lovely place to live and an attraction for visitors from around the world.
But crucial questions remain affecting our island’s treasures, our vital ties to the island’s past and its fragile heritage. At the southern end of the island in particular: What will happen with the Smallpox Hospital? How will the Island’s sea wall be restored? And what will happen to our few remaining wild spaces?
EDITORIAL
Little things My desk is a mess I cannot master Mailchimp I made 12 containers of chicken soup Looking out of the window at peaceful Queens No traffic on the Queensboro Bridge Watching Beano the cat sleep Being welcomed at Shoprite by an exhausted, yet enthusiastic staff Finding lots of Entenmenns cakes to take for distribution at Coler for residents coffee hour Being on an island of blooming daffodils, remembering many were planted after 9/11 Keeping in touch with friends and family I think I will miss the NYC Ferries passing by my window soon A bright and beautiful sunrise tomorrow morning beaming into my window
This is the third in a series of historical excerpts from the Archives of the RIHS
Ms. Agatha Zeh interview Continued
In yesterday’s edition we recounted an interview with Ms. Agatha Zeh, a nurse who served on Blackwell’s Island in 1920. During that time, Ms. Zeh recalled that there was a female physician at City Hospital — a rare thing for that period. Coincidentally, we remembered that in 2017 the RIHS acquired a Certificate from City Hospital for Edith L. Swartwout, MD for her completion of a one year residency at Metropolitan Hospital in August of 1924. Was Dr. Swartwout the person Ms. Zeh remembered? Coincidence or true story?
Long Career and Life of HOPE CLARK REID, MD
A few years ago, Mrs. Paula Timmerman found the RIHS was the perfect place to share her mother’s story. She has donated her mother’s professional papers to the RIHS, including her nursing cap, photos, elevator pass for Queensboro Bridge and other memorabilia.
Mrs. Timmerman remembers a child visiting her mother on the island (Hope Clark Reid) in the summer and living off island during the school year. Hope Clark Reid came to the Welfare Island in 1926 to study nursing at the City Hospital School of Nursing, graduating in 1929.
Over the years she earned a Certificate of Teaching Home Nursing from NYU, worked in Personnel Administration at NYU, received her Certificate in Midwifery for Registered Nurses and earned her Bachelors degree in Science in Nursing Education from Hunter College.
For eight years, she worked at City Hospital as a staff nurse, head nurse, Supervision and Assistant Superintendent of Nurses.
In 1952 she was appointed the Superintendent of Nurses at the new Bird S. Coler Hospital. During those 5 years, she was also Chief Civil Defense Nurse for the City of New York. Fascinatingly, she was also trained in the event of Atomic Disaster.
She retired from Coler in 1957 after seeing the opening of the hospital with a capacity of over 1,800 residents. From the information I received, it was clear Dr. Reid lived in the City Hospital Nurses residence. When the Central Nurses Residence opened, she lived there until retirement.
In 2000, Mrs. Timmerman visited the island and Coler. Most of her memories are faded but her joy of visiting the site where her mother spent her entire career was rewarding and allowed the RIHS to record and share another fascinating career medical professional’s life and story.
Judith Berdy
Excerpt from the New York Times (c): FEB. 29, 1929 “MISS EARHART TALKS TO ISLAND PRISONERS”
Amelia Earhart, first woman to fly across the Atlantic became yesterday the first woman to address the Sunday afternoon lecture at the workhouse on Welfare Island. Her listeners deluged her with the greatest number of questions yet asked in a series of talks that began last November.
Miss Earhart was obliged to tell among other things whether gliders and autogiros were practical, why airplane radios seem to go out of commission more than others, what air pockets were, whether a huge parachute attached to a plane would guarantee the safety of the occupants and what was the “safest” plane made.
In her first answer Miss Earhart explained that gliders were practical in “pointing” the way to make airplanes more efficient and that the autogiros would undoubtedly be more practical when their speed and carrying capacity were increased. The plane parachute was not yet a workable device. The “more interesting” possibility she thought was that the pilot sliding away the bottom of the plane, which overcame the difficulty of getting persons equipped with parachutes to jump by merely “bouncing them out.”
As for the “safest” plane, Miss Earhart said “I might get into difficulties with the manufacturers if I mentioned names , but the safest of all planes is undoubtedly the one that will crash and let you get out and walk away from it.”
Everyone seemed to agree.
At the close of the forum the speaker and her husband, George Palmer Putnam were conducted around the island.
Emma Goldman was an activist who spent a year at the Penitentiary on Blackwell’s Island. Click here to read on about a chapter of her life on the Island from her autobiography, “Living My Life.”
Editorial
In this time of crisis and illness, my heart is torn by the conditions we are being put through. I have lived on the island for 42 years. In the 1960’s, I was a dental assisting student and was sent to Goldwater Hospital to have chairside experience. From that time, the island fascinated me. The first persons I met here were the residents of Goldwater. Coler and Goldwater have always had a soft spot in my heart.
We live in a wonderful community with a history, no matter how sad and tragic, that has sheltered those in need.
Let us keep our hearts and home open to all in need and thank every medical worker weather doctor, nurse, aide, housekeeper or custodian in our thoughts.
Coler will welcome 350 new “islanders” this week. Let’s welcome them and those who tend to them in our best way. Judith Berdy, Editor
Special thanks to Melanie Colter for her skills and helping publish this daily. She will teach me all of Mailchimp one day.
