We have all canceled our trips to Calcutta or to Casablanca for this summer. Let’s rent an RV and off we go across America in our socially distancing RV. If we thought quarantining in our NYC apartments was fun this should be the ultimate challenge. (There is no maintenance man here to fix the plumbing and you are testing dad’s talents). Load the gear and join our family on the road west……………
Okay, we made it to DC. Let’s see if we can make it a little farther.
Just passed thru Evansville, Indiana. Have not had to threaten the kids to send them home by bus yet.
We made to the Second City. Looks pretty cool here. The BEAN is wonderful and right in the middle of the city. The L is overhead and those mid westerners are so friendly and polite.
Out in the country passing thru quaint Americana.
Sorry kids, you stay in the camper while mom and dad party!! No way, this year! Take out tacos for dinner.
Which kid wants to stay in Hollywood? This is your chance to get out of the RV!!! Last call??
San Francisco is so lovely with Victorian homes, Fisherman’s Wharf and leftover Flower Children in Haight Ashbury. Explain 1968 to the kids.
Let’s go home thru the National Parks and meet the wildlife and mountain peaks!
WEDNESDAY PHOTO OF THE DAY CHAPEL OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD Steps leading to lower level Winner is Nina Lublin
EDITORIAL
We have been walking around the island the last few days. I am saddened to see that many of our seniors and others are not looking well. After being cooped up in apartments, scared of Covid-19 an emotional toll is being taken on many of our elders.
Our Carter Burden Senior Center is closed for activities and meals. However, the garden is open weekdays for people to sit in. There is plenty of space to socially distant. There are umbrellas and lots of shade in the garden. Lisa Fernandez, director has tended the garden this spring and summer. It is bursting with Flowers and plants. To enter the garden go thru alleyway next to 540 Main St. The entry is to the left thru the wooden gate. (The garden is usually open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays).
Judith Berdy
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 RON CRAWFORD (C) unless otherwise indicated
FUNDING PROVIDED BY ROOSEVELT ISLAND OPERATING CORPORATION PUBLIC PURPOSE GRANTS CITY COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE BEN KALLOS DISCRETIONARY FUNDING THRU DYCD
BACK TO THE 1950’S – 1960’s OFFICE “TAKE DICTATION”
My first office job was in 1967 or thereabouts. I was a Kelly Girl. This was a temporary agency for young women to get into the office work field. I remember the advertisements were completely sexist. We made sure we looked perfect from the hair-dryer perfect hair, stockings even in summer and working in an office for a week or so at a time. You would hand in your time sheet and wait for another job.
The offices all had secretaries and an office manager (female, not married and no sense of humor)
Bosses were men in offices.
An IBM Selectric typewriter was a status symbol in the office. If you typed a letter, you put the letterhead on top of carbon paper and copy pages underneath. If you made a mistake, you used the roller eraser on the copies and CO-REC-TAPE on the first page.
There was an ashtray on your desk for yourself or visitors to use.
A lady would come by with the coffee cart. You could always schmooze at the water cooler.
You went to lunch. Everyone went to lunch whether 30,45 minutes or 1 hour. I do not remember eating at my desk. For years I worked in an office and we had a full floor of cafeteria and table service. I could bring a guest or go underground to Rockefeller Center for lunch.
Office chat would be who was getting married or having a baby and then decorating their desk on the day before the wedding or leaving on maternity leave.
We left at 5 pm. Rarely, was there overtime or weekend work. No one had a pager, cell phone or other communications devise.
You got back in the subway and home for a restful weekend and no thoughts of your job.
The 15 cent subway ride was hot and sticky in the summer and heat blasting under your legs in the winter.
You had to type 45 wpm and take steno to be a secretary.
Getting a new typewriter was a big event.
Boss got an armchair, you got a “secretarial chair” Please note pen-set on desk. I don’t think the pens worked by a status symbol in the office.
Water cooler chatter was a great part of the day.
Subway reading I remember Humor in Uniform. Just enough for a commute.
I must have worked in a vacuum. No exciting relationships that I knew of.
WEDNESDAY’S PHOTO OF THE DAY
What is this and where is it located E-mail jbird134@aol.com Win a trinket from Kiosk
TUESDAY’S PHOTO OF THE DAY
The atrium of Motorgate Winner is Alexis Villefane
EDITORIAL
Time to say thanks. We have Covid-19 testing on the island this week. For ages, our neighbors have asked for testing on the island. Ben Kallos’ office and the NYC Health+ Hospitals came through for our community. RIOC has been great in providing amenities and facilities.
Located under the helix (where the farmers market is in the winter) an efficient operation is registering and testing our neighbors.
You will receive the test results in 3-5 days. The testers will be here Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Thanks to the great staff from Gotham Health, part of NYC H+H. They are friendly and efficient. Many of us do not realize that we have an amazing public health system that caters to all New Yorkers. To take advantage of any of their services you are never asked your immigration status, ability to pay or other intrusive questions.
Please take advantage of this opportunity to be tested.
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 RON CRAWFORD (C) FUNDING PROVIDED BY ROOSEVELT ISLAND OPERATING CORPORATION PUBLIC PURPORE GRANTS CITY COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE BEN KALLOS DISCRETIONARY FUNDING THRU DYCD
Georgette Sinclair a New York artist from Roosevelt Island, has been a long-time award winning member of Salmagundi Club , a long time member of RIVAA, and Associate member of the following art organizations: Pastel Society of America, Catherine Lorrillard Wolfe and Allied Artists of America. Her work has been exhibited in solo and group shows nationally and internationally. Collectors around the world own and enjoy her art work.
WHAT AND WHERE IS THIS? Send your submission to JBIRD134@AOL.COM Win a trinket from the RIHS Visitor Center Kiosk
MONDAY PHOTO OF THE DAY
Steps leading to pier on west side of island south of Meditation Steps.
EDITORIAL
#100 is Coming
Next Thursday, July 9th will be our 100th edition. Please pick a photo, article or item that you particularly enjoyed. Go to rihs.us and scroll down thru all our issues. Pick your favorite and e-mail it to rooseveltislandhistory@gmail.com. Judith Berdy
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
REPRODUCED WITH PERMISSION (C)
ALL IMAGES IN THIS EDITION BY GEORGETTE SINCLAIR (C) THE ROOSEVELT ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY (C) WIKIPEDIA (C)
“I was always a dreamer… As a kid I used to watch the sky, following the light embracing the earth and I was fascinated by the changing form and color of the clouds. I wished I was a little cloud in that magnificent moment. Today, I am captivated by the French impressionists and by the poetic vision of American Tonalism. I try to capture the mood of the moment and want to freeze it forever, as it is a sublime experience that nature reveals to us… The secret is to just look around with an inquisitive eye and an open soul and mind.”
Georgette is inspired by eternal beauty of nature. Working mostly in pastels she finds poetry in the ordinary scenes. Her atmospheric landscapes evoke her enthusiasm and spirit of places that charm and enchant the soul and mind. The expression of mood is her response to a fragment in time. Traveling is a great source of inspiration for her work. She delights in painting outdoor scenes, fields of lavender, golden haystacks, or wandering in a hidden country road. She is equally fascinated by peeking in and out of window, as can be seen in some of her paintings. A New York artist currently living on Roosevelt Island, Georgette Sinclair is an award winning artist who earned a Master of Science and a Doctoral Degree in Audiology.
Georgette’s art training began in early childhood with drawing and painting classes at the public School of Art in the country of origin. Later on in life Georgette attended the Art Student League of NYC in addition to attending various art workshops in the States and abroad. She has been a member of Pen & Brush Inc. in NYC (2001-2003), Salmagundi Club of NYC since 2001, and RIVAA since 2001. Her work is owned by collectors around the world and has appeared in solo and group shows in galleries in NYC, New Jersey, Vermont and abroad.
PHOTO OF THE DAY IDENTIFY THIS LOCATION SEND ENTRY TO JBIRD134@AOL.COM WIN A KIOSK TRINKET
MYSTERY PHOTO FROM THE WEEKEND
DECORATIVE IRONWORK ON THE RIHS VISITOR CENTER KIOSK
EDITORIAL
We are open for business. Under Phase 2, we have opened the RIHS visitor center for weekend shopping and visitor information. After 3 months of being closed, we cleaned the entire 218 square feet of the interior and simplified our merchandising..
We have lots of great items for your gift giving. Jon, Bill, Ellen and Barbara will be at the kiosk this weekend from 12 noon to 5 p.m. WE WILL BE OPEN ON FRIDAY, JULY 4TH. Stop by and say hello. Bring your dog for a bowl of cold water and lots of treats.
Text by Judith Berdy Thanks to Bobbie Slonevsky for her dedication to Blackwell’s Almanac Thanks to Deborah Dorff for maintaining our website Edited by Melanie Colter and Deborah Dorff All materials in this publication are copyrighted (c)
ALL IMAGES COPYRIGHT GEORGETTE SINCLAIR 2020 (C) MATERIAL COPYRIGHT WIKIPEDIA, GOOGLE IMAGES, RIHS ARCHIVES AND MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT PERMISSION (C)
FUNDING BY ROOSEVELT ISLAND OPERATING CORPORATION PUBLIC PURPOSE FUNDING
Horn and Hardart Automat Chock Full O’Nuts Schafft’s Charleston Garden Bird Cage Good Humor Ice Cream Howard Johnson’s Lundy Brothers Junior’s Jahn’s Ice Cream Longechamps
HORN AND HARDART AUTOMAT
You brought a dollar bill to the cashier and she gave you 20 nickels, enough for a grand dinner of a main dish bake beans, dessert and coffee with change to spare.
CHOCK FULL O’NUTS
Nutted Cheese, Donut and Coffee for about 60 cents, Sandwiches were made by women never touching the ingredients and magically wielding two spatulas.
SCHRAFFT’S
If I behaved all day at B. Altman, we would stop at Schrafft’s on 34th Street for a chocolate ice cream soda for me. Then off to Franklin Simon, Arnold Constable and Macy’s.
FOUR LADIES TO A SHARED TABLE. THE TRAY FIT IN THE SLOTS ON THE TABLE. THE AREA IS NOW THE DINING AREA OF CUNY GRADUATE CENTER, WITH THE AMBIANCE OF A GYM.
THE BIRD CAGE LORD & TAYLOR
THERE WE NO TABLES. THE CHAIR HAD A SWING AWAY TRAY ATTACHED. DESSERT WAS DELIVERED BY A WAITRESS PUSHING A PINK ROCKET-SHAPED CART.
GOOD HUMOR ICE CREAM
Run from the dinner table with a quarter to get an ice cream from the Good Humor man with the napkin that had a slit in it for the stick!
HOWARD JOHNSON’S
Stop on Queens Blvd and get ice cream cones for everyone in the station wagon, My day must have memorized everyone’s favorite flavor.
LUNDY BROTHERS SHEEPSHEAD BAY
Long tables for family groups and watching the fishing boats across the street
JUNIOR’S
Darn, I never ate in the original Junior’s, but have consumed some slices from the branch in Grand Central Terminal
JAHN’S ICE CREAM
Come in on your birthday with identification and get a free sundae. Order a KITCHEN SINK for $6- and get 18 scoops of ice cream!!!
RESTAURANT LONGECHAMPS
UNFORTUNATELY, I WAS NOT INTO DECOR WHEN I DINED AT LONGECHAMPS. THERE WAS ONE IN MANHATTAN HOUSE IN THE EARLY 1970’S THAT LOOKED OUT INTO A GARDEN.
WEEKEND PHOTO Can you identify this object and location? Send you response to jbird134@aol.com Winner gets a trinket from kiosk.
FRIDAY IMAGE OF THE DAY
Steps leading to Rivercross Lobby Jay Jacobson and many others guessed it correctly.
EDITORIAL
Today I ventured back to my childhood and teen years when I was skinny, I mean skinny. Maybe, it was the choice of my parents dining selections. I remember fondly all of those listed. As you can see I liked a place with am gimmick. My choices have improved, though I miss my dad’s choices of French Restaurants.
Funding Provided by: Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation Public Purpose Funds Council Member Ben Kallos City Council Discretionary Funds thru DYCD 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 PHOTOS COPYRIGHT RIHS. 2020 (C) ALL PHOTOS IN THIS ISSUE (C) JUDITH BERDY RIHS
Out trip starts at LaGuardia Airport arriving on a DC-3.
Since we are in Queens we will pass the Sunshine Biscuit factory near the Queensboro Bridge.
The Singer Building a graceful site, now gone from downtown.
City Prison, known as The Tombs, is located on the corner of Leonard and Centre Streets, a dismal structure of Egyptian architecture where prisoners walked between the prison and the courthouse on the BRIDGE OF SIGHS.
Siegel-Cooper was the grandest of the department stores on Ladies Mile, now Bed, Bath and Beyond
Madison Square Garden was the place to be seen and unfortunately Sanford White met the gun of Harry Thaw there and ended the architect’s life….over a woman.
Located on 26th Street at the East River, Bellevue was the port of embarkation for those traveling to the wonderful institutions on Blackwell’s Island.
The second Madison Square Garden on Eighth Avenue had little to say for it. My experience at the circus there left a lasting aroma.
The original Waldorf Astoria was located at 350 Fifth Avenue, now the Empire State Building
Located on 44th an 6th the Hippodrome was a grand burlesque theatre
A Wonderful sign over Times Square where the only “characters” were naked statues.
Before Dick Clark there was Ben Grauer doing a 15 minute show on New Year’s eve.
Every summer I would visit Times Square and see the Camel Man blowing smoke rings.
I do remember the Dodgers winning the ’55 World Series
FRIDAY PHOTO OF THE DAY
Identify this photo and location. Send to Jbird134@aol.com Win a kiosk trinket
THURSDAY PHOTO OF THE DAY
THE MANUFACTURERS OF THE ORIGINAL SWISS TRAM. TWO WINNERS: ALEXI VILLFANE OLYA TURCHIN
EDITORIAL
Today I joined Red Cross Volunteers at Coler giving gift bags to the staff. There are a group of family foundations that have been supporting hospital staffs for the last four months. We gave every staff member a large bag containing refreshments, personal care items, snacks and breakfast foods. Of course every bag contains a roll of bathroom tissue.
The Coler staff is great an appreciative of the generous support of so many New Yorkers.
Coler is a special place. At the moment there are still over 50 Covid-19 patients in the RIMC hospital units.
The State still mandates that the residents cannot have visitors or leave the campus yet. Many are eager, but caution comes first, The wonderful garden is a great place fro the residents to get fresh air and enjoy the summer weather.
Coler needs your support. Coler has been tending to the people of New York since 1952 and many of us have just discovered it.
Judith Berdy
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
FUNDING PROVIDED BY ROOSEVELT ISLAND OPERATING CORPORATION PUBLIC PURPOSE GRANTS CITY COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE BEN KALLOS DISCRETIONARY FUNDING THRU DYCD
CORRECTION THE CORRECT WEBSITE FOR RON CRAWFORD ART IS: RONCRAWFORDART.COM
THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2020
The
88th Edition
From Our Archives
PENNY POSTCARDS
Remembering RKB
THIS SUMMER HAVE SOME FUN WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND SEND THEM A POSTCARD FROM HOME!
Even before the bridge was complete images of it were being sent.
WEDNESDAY PHOTO OF THE DAY
Howard and Ellen Polivy with volunteer clearing debris in Blackwell Park
THURSDAY PHOTO OF THE DAY
SEND YOUR ENTRY TO JBIRD134@AOL.COM WIN A TRINKET FROM THE KIOSK
REMEMBERING RKB
Judy, Alan, Ruth and Ranyee celebrating Ruth’s birthday with Elle’s great Orange Cake.
Tuesday was the 8th anniversary of my mother’s passing. For the last three years of her life she shared my apartment with me in Rivercross.
My mother was Hunter College graduate who majored in math and statistics, a talent I did not inherit. She worked for a few years and married my dad in 1941. She was the perfect wife, mother, homemaker, mostly taking great care of her family and had great patience with us. She was a great reader and for many years enjoyed sewing and needlepoint. This was so typical of her generation.
My dad was much more of a salesman and outgoing personality. He loved travel, meeting people and going and doing. My mom enjoyed this life and if there was a difference we did not hear it.
In 2002 my dad passed and a few years later we (my brother Alan) and I realized she did not need her large 3 bedroom apartment. We moved her to a smaller unit in her Upper East Side building. The apartment was not a perfect fit and soon it became evident that her daughter would make room for her in her studio apartment.
We made it work by building a bedroom. Ruth suddenly discovered many of my neighbors and people I knew on the island. She would accompany me to meetings and trips outside. She would come to the kiosk and loved sitting outside and watching the passing crowd.
As time passed her legs failed more and more. We managed with some aides and more personal attention.
I see my neighbors leaving the community to live with their families. Sometimes this is great and other times it is an isolating experience. There is no simple answer.
I am sure she enjoyed her communal life on Roosevelt Island in her last 3 years. It was fun having her with me all it meant to both of us.
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
FUNDING PROVIDED BY ROOSEVELT ISLAND OPERATING CORPORATION PUBLIC PURPOSE GRANTS CITY COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE BEN KALLOS DISCRETIONARY FUNDING THRU DYCD
Since most of us will be traveling around the world from our backyard this summer, enjoy Ron Crawford’ delightful images of some our favorite destinations.
Your Flight is now departing, take off your shoes, and we are boarding your flight of fancy.
CUBA – OLD CADDY
Ron Crawford Bio
As a documentary film cameraman, Ron realized he could combine his drawing talent with filmmaking and he became an animator. For many years he sparked the three seconds at the end of TV commercials, flipped station call letters or exploded galaxies for science show openings. Suddenly his next career choice became artist and actor and between Broadway and black box theater in New York City he has his pencil ready for that scene that will compel him to commit to paper; or brush to canvas.
Importantly for Ron, none of the works here are commissioned, they are all a matter of impulse. Everyday scenes with moving vibrant people that capture a moment. A quick drawing can then turn into a colorful completed work, requiring many hours of precision computer time inspired by a sketch that took perhaps minutes in a crowded city and a tight schedule.
What is this and where is it located E-mail jbird134@aol.com Win a trinket from Kiosk
TUESDAY’S PHOTO OF THE DAY
THE OVAL ROOM AT THE CHAPEL OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD
EDITORIAL
We may not be venturing far this summer. Think of the island as a tourist would. Where else can you find:
A HIGH FLYING CABLE CAR FRIENDLY STAFF THAT OFFERS ADVISE AND DIRECTIONS A LIGHTHOUSE REMAINS THAT ARE NOT AS OLD AS ROMAN ONES A PANORAMIC VIEW OF A GREAT CITY SOME DINING SPOTS THAT DO NOT CHARGE YOU EXTRA TO DINE OUTSIDE A FARMHOUSE THAT DOES NOT HAVE CREEKING FLOORS FRIENDLY ISLANDERS A SIGHT OF THE RESIDENTS AT THE STREET MARKET EVERY SATURDAY KIDS RUNNING AROUND FUNNY BUSES THAT GO AROUND AND AROUND PLENTY OF PLACES TO SIT IF YOUR FEET HURT A CHARMING ALCOVE WITH AN ART PIECE IN THE CENTER A FREE ART GALLERY
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 RON CRAWFORD (C) FUNDING PROVIDED BY ROOSEVELT ISLAND OPERATING CORPORATION PUBLIC PURPORE GRANTS CITY COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE BEN KALLOS DISCRETIONARY FUNDING THRU DYCD
Included in this Issue: STATEN ISLAND ALICE AUSTEN PHOTOGRAPHER
Alice in June,1888-Photograph by Oswald Muller
Biography
Austen’s father abandoned the family before she was born, and she was baptized under the name Elizabeth Alice Munn on May 23, 1866, in St. John’s Church on Staten Island. She never used the name Munn and would initial her negatives with “EAA” for Elizabeth Alice Austen. With no household income and no husband, Alice’s mother moved back to her own parent’s home, which was known as Clear Comfort. Alice was the only child in the household, which now consisted of: Alice’s mother, Alice Cornell Austen (1836-?); Alice’s maternal grandparents, John Haggerty Austen (c1810–1894) and Elizabeth Alice Townsend (c1810s–1887). Also in the house were her mother’s siblings: Peter Austen, who was a chemistry professor at Rutgers University; and Mary Austen (1840-?) aka Minnie Austen, who was married to Oswald Müller (1840–?) who was the owner of a shipping company. Oswald was born in Denmark. Clear Comfort Austen in a June 1888 photograph by Oswald Müller
The house was built in the 17th century, but was expanded during the 19th century by Alice’s grandparents: John Haggerty Austen; and Elizabeth Alice Townsend. Clear Comfort was dedicated as a National Historic Landmark on April 8, 1976, one month after the 110th anniversary of Alice’s birth. It is also known as “Alice Austen House” and is located in the Rosebank neighborhood.(Wikipedia)
Photography
Austen became interested in photography when her uncle, Oswald Müller, brought home a camera around 1876.[5] Alice’s uncle Peter Townsend Austen was a chemistry professor at Rutgers who taught her photographic processing. Peter and Oswald converted a closet on the second floor into Alice’s darkroom. The earliest extant photograph by her is dated 1884. Over the next 40 years she produced around 8,000 photographs. Austen’s subject was daily life of the people of New York. She documented upper middle-class society on Staten Island and lower-class people living in New York’s Lower East Side. Her images of immigrants showed “a hesitancy and curiosity experienced by both photographer and subject.
Gertrude Amelia Tate
In 1899 Austen met Gertrude Amelia Tate (1871–1962), a kindergarten teacher and dancing instructor of Brooklyn, New York. She became Austen’s lifelong romantic partner. Gertrude visited Alice regularly and they spent holidays together in Europe. She moved in with Alice at Clear Comfort in 1917, overriding her family’s objection over her “wrong devotion” to Alice. They stayed together until, after the Stock Market Crash when they struggled to get by, Gertrude’s family offered housing to Gertrude, and only her, in 1950. They wished to be buried together, but their families refused this wish.
Photo Above “Playing Cards in the Austen Parlor, 1892
The Public Health Service doctor who asked Alice to record the quarantine procedures and equipment poses with his son on the Wadsworth.
Decline
Austen lived off the interest from the money left by her grandfather but the principal was lost in the Wall Street Crash of 1929. In 1920 Austen is listed in the Social Register of New York and was a member of the Colony Club of New York. By age 63, she had no income. She began to sell off her silver, art works, and furniture to get enough money to buy food and fuel. She then took out a mortgage on the house which was taken by the bank in 1945. She sold her remaining possessions for $600 to a second-hand dealer from New Jersey and called her friend Loring McMillen from the Staten Island Historical Society to take the photos. He stored them at the Third County Courthouse in Richmondtown.
She then moved to an apartment, then a nursing home. On June 24, 1950, she was declared a pauper and was admitted to New York City Farm Colony, Staten Island’s poorhouse. Rediscovery In 1950 Picture Press started a project on the history of American women and contacted archives for unpublished images.
C. Copes Brinley of the Staten Island Historical Society had 3,500 extant, uncatalogued Austen glass plate negatives of the roughly 8,000 she took.In October 1950, Constance Foulk Robert met with Brinley and McMillen to look at the negatives. Oliver Jensen came along on the next trip and he published several of the photos in his book Revolt of Women. He also wrote an eight-page story in Life magazine, and published six-pages of travel photos in Holiday magazine. The publications raised more than $4,000 for Austen and she was able to move out of the Farm Colony and into a private nursing home.
On October 9, 1951 Austen was the guest of honor at the first Alice Austen Day. She said: “I am happy that what was once so much pleasure for me turns out now to be a pleasure for other people.”
Austen continued to be supported by the Staten Island Historical Society and lived the next eight months in the nursing home, where she died on June 9, 1952.
The Society arranged for her funeral and she was buried in the Austen family plot in the Moravian Cemetery at New Dorp, Staten Island.[2] The Alice Austen Collection The Staten Island Historical Society at Historic Richmond Town claims it owns over 7,000 original items (glass plate negatives, film base negatives, and original prints) by Austen, but they do not retain the right to license images in their collection.
This collection is cataloged, digitized, and stored in an archival manner at Historic Richmond Town. The collection is available for study by appointment and high-quality images are made available upon request.The Alice Austen House Museum also has a collection of photographs, with about 300 on display in the resource room, which is open to the public.
Photo above Clear Comfort Bedroom
Alice and lifelong companion Gertrude Tate. Alice is seated on latter photo
FOR MORE ALICE AUSTEN PHOTOS PLEASE SEE ALICE AUSTEN.ORG
WHAT AND WHERE IS THIS? Send your submission to JBIRD134@AOL.COM Win a trinket from the RIHS Visitor Center Kiosk
MONDAY’S PHOTO OF THE DAY
“BLACKWELL’S ISLAND” Edward Hopper, 1928. View or Welfare Island from about 82 Street in Manhattan. Dome is the top of the Octagon, then the Metropolitan Hospital.
EDITORIAL
Just in case you did not hear, today is Democratic Party Primary Election Day. All islanders now vote at PS/IS 217 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
IF YOU HAVE AN ABSENTEE BALLOT, BRING IT TO THE POLL SITE TO HAND IT IN.
Judith Berdy
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
REPRODUCED WITH PERMISSION (C) THE ROOSEVELT ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY (C) WIKIPEDIA (C) STATEN ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY (C) ALICE AUSTEN HOUSE MUSEUM (C)
Miller’s new map of the city of New-York. New York City map Covers New York City (Manhattan) south of 132nd Street. Shows 1-mile radial distances from City Hall. Also covers part of Brooklyn (N.Y.), Jersey City (N.J.), and Hoboken (N.J.). Title from cover. Oriented with north toward the upper right. Hand colored to distinguish city wards (numbered) and adjacent municipalities. “Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1857, by Humphrey Phelps.
MAP Topographical map of the city and county of New-York, and the adjacent country : with views in the border of the principal buildings, and interesting scenery of the island. Relief shown by hachures. Shows wards, physical features, and various places of interest. “Entered according to act of Congress in the year 1836 by J.H. Colton & Co. in the Clerks Office of the District Court of the Southern District of New York.” Does not show Madison Square. Oriented with north towards the upper right. LC Ward maps, 155 Cohen, P.E. Manhattan in maps,…
MAP Miller’s new map of the city of New-York. New York City map Covers New York City (Manhattan) south of 132nd Street. Shows 1-mile radial distances from City Hall. Also covers part of Brooklyn (N.Y.), Jersey City (N.J.), and Hoboken (N.J.). Title from cover. Oriented with north toward the upper right. Hand colored to distinguish city wards (numbered) and adjacent municipalities. “Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1857, by Humphrey Phelps, in the Clerk’s… Contributor: Miller, James – Fillmore, Millard – Phelps, Humphrey Date: 1862
BLACKWELL’S ISLAND COLLECTION OF NYPL (C)
The Island from South to North 1970 in a State of Abandonment Comparing to Today’s Island
2020 Map Copyright RIHS (c)
From South to North: Smallpox Hospital with Brennan Hall on the East side of the building On west side Nurses residence On fare east side Strecker Laboratory City Hospital on north part stretching entire width of island Note: The island ended just south of the Smallpox Hospital and the debris is landfill
Goldwater Memorial Hospital with City Hospital on south end of the island.
A peek at the Central Nurses Residence with its driveway. In the trees to the north is Blackwell House abandoned for over 15 years.
Chapel of the Good Shepard is recognizable with the since demolished Good Samaritan German Lutheran Church. The other buildings were part of the City Home.
The “H” shaped Neurological Hospital sits where P.S. 217 is now situated.
The Welfare Island Bridge leads to the West Road. The Neurological Hospital is to the south and mostly hidden in the greenery as is the old firehouse. On the north side is the FDNY Training School with its red fire engines.
MONDAY PHOTO OF THE DAY
Identify and locate this. Send your answer to jbird134@aol.com Win a trinket from the RIHS kiosk.
WEEKEND MYSTERY PHOTO OF THE DAY
Chapel of the Holy Spirit later known as Dayspring Church, now The Sanctuary
EDITORIAL
We are back to “normal” today. I will have a long needed haircut!!! We will have completed 9 long days of early voting, working every day on East 75th Street. After Monday off, our team will be back at PS 217 on Tuesday for primary voting from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Forgive me, if the winners of our photo identifications have not been up-to-date. It is hard to keep up on work days.
Back to near normal later this week!!!! AND EATING OUTSIDE NISI!!!!
Text by Judith Berdy Thanks to Bobbie Slonevsky for her dedication to Blackwell’s Almanac Thanks to Deborah Dorff for maintaining our website Edited by Melanie Colter and Deborah Dorff All materials in this publication are copyrighted (c)
MATERIAL COPYRIGHT WIKIPEDIA, GOOGLE IMAGES, RIHS ARCHIVES AND MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT PERMISSION (C)
FUNDING BY ROOSEVELT ISLAND OPERATING CORPORATION PUBLIC PURPOSE FUNDING
DISCRETIONARY FUNDING BY COUNCIL MEMBER BEN KALLOS THRU NYC DYCD
