Tuesday, May 26, 2020 – The last family to live in Blackwell House

By admin

TUESDAY

MAY 26, 2020

RIHS’s 61st Issue of

Included in this Issue:

THE HERMAN BAUER FAMILY OF BLACKWELL HOUSE
on
WELFARE ISLAND

(c) ROOSEVELT ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY

There has never been proof that George Washington visited the island but he may have been in the neighborhood at one time.

As you can see from the photos, Blackwell House had a large addition on the north side of the building which was probably the ping-pong room she described.

The Bauer family in front of the Blackwell House. front row: Vernon, Mother, Geniza, back row twin brothers Herman and Jim.  Dog name Lucky  in forefront.

Front (or back of house) with small building on south side may have been servants quarters at one time.

Front (or back of house) with north wing, Wing was not original and was demolished at time of restoration.

Path leading to house with small building (possibly former servants quarters) in distance.

In 1957 Herman Bauer was appointed medial superintendent of the new Elmhurst Hospital. At that time City Hospital closed and the patients were transferred to Elmhurst.  Dr. Bauer and family had an apartment in the new hospital and left Blackwell House.  They were the last known residents of the house.

Elmhurst, as it looks today with multiple additions and serving the Elmhurst, Jackson Heights area of Queens.

Geniza returned to the island and the RIHS in 2002.  She and her husband enjoyed the new community, and seeing the remaining building she remembered from her childhood.  Geniza passed away on 2004.

EDITORIAL

The life of the Bauer family as well as other families who lived on the Island seemed bucolic.  Dad worked at the hospital,  storehouse, penitentiary or other institution.  The moms had staff to wash. clean, serve and maintain the home. Groceries were ordered (before Fresh Direct) and laundry was handled.

These were municipal employees who probably did not become rich but had long stable careers serving the City. 

These families left the island with fond reflections and many have shared them with the RIHS.

Enjoy Geniza’s story.

Best wishes,Judith Berdy
212 688 4836
jbird134@aol.com

MYSTERY PHOTO OF THE DAY

WHAT AND WHERE ARE THESE OBJECTS?
Send your submission to JBIRD134@AOL.COM
Win a trinket from the RIHS Visitor Center Kiosk

MONDAY’S PHOTO OF THE DAY

The correct answer is the pool deck at Manhattan Park. Two winners Andrea Nialla and David Jacoby.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

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 Deborah Dorff
FUNDING PROVIDED BY:
ROOSEVELT ISLAND OPERATING CORPORATION THRU PUBLIC PURPOSE FUNDING
CITY COUNCIL MEMBER BEN KALLOS DISCRETIONARY FUNDS THRU DYCD

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