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“Architectural Restoration”
Architect Thomas Fenniman reviews his recent restoration projects.
Thursday, January 17
6:30 pm
Roosevelt Island Branch Library, 524 Main Street
Thomas A. Fenniman, Architect is an architectural firm specializing in the analysis and rehabilitation of existing buildings and the restoration of historic structures. With over 35 years experience working in NYC and the metropolitan area, Thomas has developed a special expertise in working with non-profit institutions and in the creative use of cost-effective designs and solutions with a commitment to quality. His firm has been recognized for excellence in historic restoration by numerous State and local agencies including The New York State Parks Department, The New York Landmarks Conservancy, Friends of the Upper Eastside, The Victorian Society of New York, and the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation. Notable projects include the interior restoration of The Church of Saint Francis Xavier, The façade restoration of The Players Club on Gramercy Park, the Langham at 135 Central Park West and the exterior restoration of the Old Brooklyn Fire Headquarters. Thomas has a Bachelor of Architecture and Building Science degrees from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and studied Architecture abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark. He is a registered Architect in NY, NJ, CT and MA.
Projects completed on Roosevelt Island include the restoration of the Visitors Center Kiosk, The slate roof and narthex restoration of The Chapel of the Good Shepherd and a Condition Study of the Renwick Lighthouse at the northern tip of the Island.
All programs area free and open to the public.
For further information
e-mail: Rooseveltislandhistory@gmail.com or 212 688-4836
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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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Nellie Bly as a Herald in the 1913 Washington, DC Suffrage Parade.
Roosevelt Island Historical Society presents a free lecture: Nellie Bly: From Blackwell’s Island to Well Beyond
New York Public Library Branch on Roosevelt Island
524 Main Street
Thursday, June 14 at 6:30 p.m.
Nellie Bly gained her reputation as a reporter when she exposed the horrible conditions of the asylum on Blackwell’s Island.
Renowned New York University Professor Brooke Kroeger, whose biography of Bly, “Nellie Bly: Daredevil, Reporter, Feminist” is recognized as the definitive account of the reporter’s life, will speak on “Nellie Bly: From Blackwell’s Island to Well Beyond.” Later in her career, Nellie Bly continued to cover issues of importance to women, including a seminal interview with Susan B. Anthony and major events in the suffrage campaign. Dr. Kroeger’s latest book, The Suffragents, chronicles the prominent, influential men whose support helped women get the vote.
The event, FREE and open to the public, is the third in the Society’s annual series of spring lectures.
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.
This event is possible through the support of the following:
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A friend on the island discovered these 6 photos circa 1968. They show the lsland before any development started in 1970.
Photo 1 The Welfare Island Bridge went directly to the West Road. There was no Main Street. To the south are the Cancer and Neurological Hospitals.
Photo 2 South view of area that now includes PS/IS 217 and Westview
Photo 3 A forlorn and empty Chapel of the Good Shepherd. Next to it is the Good Samaritan German Lutheran Church. The buildings surrounding them were part of the City Home, a home for elderly, sickly and impoverished.
Photo 4 Entwined in the weeds are the three wings of Blackwell House. The north wing was demolished during its 1975 restoration. To the south is the driveway and entrance to the Central Nurses Residence.
Photo 5 Goldwater Memorial Hospital from the east with the now demolished City Hospital to the south. The City Hospital was built from east to west across the island. The walls of the hospital were quarried from the stone on the island.
Photo 6 From the south looking to the island is the Smallpox Hospital. The building to the east of the center of the hospital “H” is Brennan Hall, part of the complex. This building was demolished very soon after this photo was taken. The buildings just north were part of the complex of nursing school and staff housing.
