Wednesday, May 17, 2023 – Come visit the great garden and wonderful newly restored benches

By admin

FROM THE ARCHIVES

WEDNESDAY,  MAY 17,  2023

ISSUE  992

SOMETIMES IT TAKES

A VILLAGE

JUDITH BERDY

For years we have been trying to get RIOC to preserve two benches that have been part of the island for almost  75 years.

The benches probably were first used at the Central Laundry that was across the street from the Tram.  The workers would take their breaks outside on these benches.  The laundry, garage and firehouse building were demolished in the 1980s.

The benches probably ended up in one of our community gardens. for years.

In recent years the benches have been on the Senior Terrace at the CBN Older Adult Center.

We asked RIOC to refinish them since they are part of the island history and would be a great addition to the terrace. After submitting photos the project was never approved by the RIOC staff. 
It took over a year to get this done. Finally the benches were seen by Shelton Haynes and he agreed to get them repaired and refinished when Lisa Fernandez told him of my trials and tribulations to get these benches preserved.

Lisa Fernandez enjoys the bright addition to the terrace.

Judith Berdy, President of the Roosevelt Island Historical Society checks off one more accomplishment for historic preservation on the island. 

WEDNESDAY PHOTO OF THE DAY
SEND YOUR ANSWER TO:
ROOSEVELTISLANDHISTORY@GMAIL.COM

MONDAY PHOTO OF THE DAY

Former gas station at the corner of Broadway and West Houston Street.
Today, the corner is home to a giant Adidas shop.

There is little left of the old neighborhood. This proves it!

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

All image are copyrighted (c) Roosevelt Island Historical Society unless otherwise indicated

JUDITH BERDY

THIS PUBLICATION FUNDED BY DISCRETIONARY FUNDS FROM CITY COUNCIL MEMBER JULIE MENIN & ROOSEVELT ISLAND OPERATING CORPORATION PUBLIC PURPOSE FUNDS.

Copyright © 2022 Roosevelt Island Historical Society, All rights reserved.Our mailing address is:
rooseveltislandhistory@gmail.com