Monday, April 27, 2026 – Honoring History: Visitor Center’s New Marker

By admin

A Super Sunday

April 26, 2026

Historic Marker Dedication 
&
Roosevelt Island History Quest

Roosevelt Island Historical Society
Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation
Roosevelt Island Youth Center

Monday, April 27, 2026

ISSUE #1670

On Sunday morning members and staff of the RI Youth Center, RIOC and RIHS gathered to unveil the new historic marker at the Visitor Center. “This is such an exciting event, long time in the making. The RIHS worked with the Pomeroy Foundation and RIOC to bring this maker to the Island.  The Pomeroy Foundation has donated five other historic makers on the Island celebrating landmark structures. This marker celebrates historic transportation sites.  The visitor center was the entrance to the Trolley station on 59th street and Second Avenue, from 1907 to  1957.

It was a pleasure to work with RIOC to get the authozation to install the marker and their staff stored and installed it  on the site.  Special thanks to BJ Johnson and Bryant Daniels who joined us to make the day special.

The ceremony included members and staff of the Youth Center who offially pulled the cover off the beautiful blue and white marker.

After the ceremony six teams from the Youth Center prepared to set up stations at our landmark.
Every team member wore a bandana and were  ready to meet visitors.  They were prepared with 3 panel displays of each site and could tell the stories of our history.

Each visitor was given a History Quest Passport and when they stopped at each site, the Youth Center members would stamp their passports.

Sign in to get your Passport and map.

Visitors stopped by the  visitor center  to pick upo their passports and maps and set off to visit the sites.  There was only about two hours to get all  the site stamps in your passport.

AT THE LIGHTHOUSE

Youth Center Volunteers at the Lighthouse

Using Coloring pages to remember the landmarks and learning about the history that the members had learned while preparing the materials.

BLACKWELL HOUSE

Everyone was excited to see inside Blackwell House, and to learn the history by the enthusiastic volunteers.

Visitors were thrilled to come into the house and see how much history is displayed there.

CHAPEL OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD

Our volunteers by the Chapel busy with lots of visitors .

THANKS

This Sunday was truly special, thanks to Ana Medina and her dedicated Youth Center team. Their hard work and enthusiasm made the event flawless. Sunny skies and happy participants added to the joy, making it a memorable day for all who volunteered, visited, participated, and explored our historic island.

HISTORIC PHOTO OF THE DAY
2010
MOVING THE TRAM

CREDITS

Ana Medina
Bryant Daniels
Judith Berdy

All image are copyrighted (c) Roosevelt Island Historical Society unless otherwise indicated
THIS PUBLICATION FUNDED BY DISCRETIONARY FUNDS FROM CITY COUNCIL MEMBER JULIE MENIN & ROOSEVELT ISLAND OPERATING CORPORATION PUBLIC PURPOSE FUNDS.

Copyright © 2026 Roosevelt Island Historical Society, All rights reserved.Our mailing address is:
rooseveltislandhistory@gmail.com