Report from the Scarsdale Historical Society: Cudner-Hyatt House to be Sold
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- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
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This update on the activities of the Scarsdale Historical Society was submitted to Scarsdale10583 by the society's President Randy Guggenheimer:
Dear Scarsdale Historical Society Member,
I would like to update you on the exciting changes we are implementing at your Scarsdale Historical Society. We have been working over the past several years to transform the Society from an organization operating a House Museum and its vintage buildings for an extremely limited audience to one that uses modern techniques to further its mission of preserving, discovering, and sharing historical information about Scarsdale and the Central mid-Westchester region as widely as possible.
Recent Activities
• For several years we have been working with the Scarsdale Public Library to preserve and digitize many of the back issues of the Scarsdale Inquirer. Many of these issues contain information not available anywhere else, and the newspapers and microfilms held at the Library, already in fragile condition, were deteriorating further. Pursuant to our grants totaling $50,000, the Scarsdale Inquirers from 1901-1945 are now available online. They can be accessed through our website at www.scarsdalehistory.org, as well as through the library and other sites that are used by students, scholars and the public. Please take a few minutes and check it out.
• Starting in 2014, we have funded summer and term-time internships to allow high school and college students interested in history to help the library preserve and catalogue its holdings of Scarsdale documents and photographs.
• Earlier this year, we made a 5-year loan to the Westchester County Historical Society (WCHS) of a large number of the Society's papers, books and photographs which had been stored in boxes at the Cudner-Hyatt House. The Scarsdale Historical Society has provided a grant to allow the WCHS to catalogue these materials and make them readily available to historians and the general public at their state-of-the-art facility in Elmsford.
• We have completely revamped our website, http://www.scarsdalehistory.org, to make it a user-friendly means to preserve and share Scarsdale history with our own content and links to other websites where the public can learn about the history of our village and the surrounding communities.
Planned Programs
We are developing a number of exciting programs to further our mission of discovering, preserving and educationally disseminating historical information about Scarsdale and the Central mid-Westchester region.
1. Digitization/Preservation – We are working to digitize and transcribe Helen Lorraine Hultz's 1,100+ page hand calligraphied book, Scarsdale Story, which former Village Historian Richard Lederer, Jr. called "the most comprehensive history of Scarsdale ever to be done." We are continuing to work with the Scarsdale Public Library to preserve and digitize more recent years of the Inquirer, and share then to the extent allowed by copyright law. Future projects include digitization and preservation of Scarsdale High School yearbooks as well as Scarsdale Town and Village Minute books and photographs held by the Village of Scarsdale and the Scarsdale Public Library.
2. Original Articles – We are working on and seeking to support articles on key subjects relating to the history of Scarsdale and our region. We have committed a $10,000 grant to the WCHS to assist in funding an up-to-date history of our county to replace Westchester County: A Pictorial History first published in the early 1980s.
3. Lectures – The Scarsdale Historical Society has given consideration to sponsoring a lecture series, but given the number of organizations that already invite quality speakers to Scarsdale and neighboring communities, we have decided instead to offer our support, with funding and publicity (to our membership and the public) of relevant lectures and other programs in conjunction with existing organizations including the Scarsdale Public Library, Scarsdale civic organizations and historical societies in nearby communities. We believe that by leveraging our resources with the substantial well-established efforts of others, we can accomplish more than we would ever be able to on our own.
4. Scarsdale Historical Society Collection – As discussed above, we have provided a grant to the WCHS to catalogue and make our collection of papers, books and photographs accessible to historians and the public. We intend to continue to work with the WCHS and other organizations to preserve and make historical documents available.
5. Bring Your History Day – We are working with the Scarsdale Public Library to sponsor a "Bring Your History Day" to encourage Scarsdale residents to bring documents, photographs and maps to be reviewed by experts to determine whether these materials should be preserved and digitized and the Scarsdale Historical Society intends to fund this to the extent that the items are historically worthy. Even in advance of the event, if you have individual items, collections or archives you'd like to share, please let us know about it by visiting www.scarsdalehistory.org/shareyourhistory.
Real Estate
As is the case with many house museums throughout Westchester County and beyond, the cost of maintaining the Scarsdale Historical Society's buildings at 937 Post Road has far outstripped the benefits to the community of continuing to operate the Cudner-Hyatt House as a museum. The Cudner-Hyatt House cannot compete with other much more significant historic house museums, historic societies and libraries in our area. The Board of the Scarsdale Historical Society has concluded that the time has come to put the property up for sale.
We know that many in the community (and we) are pleased to view the 18th century farmhouse on the Post Road, and we have therefore decided to offer the property for sale subject to a façade easement that will protect the east (Post Road) and south (Boulevard) facing façades. We do not intend to place restrictions on a potential purchaser with respect to the 1828 Quaker Meeting House located on the property.
"Steps in Time" Bricks
Some long-time residents will remember that when the Scarsdale Historical Society was planning to renovate the Cudner-Hyatt House a number of years ago, the plan included a brick pathway that would honor the donors. While the planned renovations were made to the Cudner-Hyatt House at that time, the brick pathway was not made. In light of the current plans to potentially sell the property, the Scarsdale Historical Society Board has decided to recognize those donors with a special page on our website in the near future. We thank all of you again for your generous donations which were essential to the Scarsdale Historical Society at that time.
An Invitation to Public Input
We aim to become a much more dynamic and relevant resource to our community. To that end, we welcome ideas and opportunities to partner with other educational and charitable organizations in our area. If you are aware of an appropriate project, we invite you to let us know about it. We will shortly be mailing membership renewals to all of our members along with information about our upcoming Annual Meeting in early 2017. Please be on the lookout for these items.
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I thank you for supporting the Scarsdale Historical Society and hope you are as excited about the recent accomplishments and plans of the Society as we are.
Best regards,
Randy Guggenheimer
President, Scarsdale Historical Society
David Lee to Chair Scarsdale Bowl Committee
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David Lee has been named Chair of the 2016 Scarsdale Bowl Committee. The appointment was announced by Emily Sherwood, newly-installed President of the Scarsdale Foundation. As Bowl Committee Chair, Lee will head the Scarsdale Bowl nominating committee and the community celebration dinner to be held on Wednesday evening, April 26, 2017, at The Fountainhead in New Rochelle. The Scarsdale Bowl is awarded annually each spring to a Scarsdale resident in recognition of his or her outstanding voluntary public service to the community. Robert Jeremiah is the Executive Secretary/Treasurer of the Scarsdale Bowl Committee.
Mr. Lee has been active in community and village affairs for over two decades, most recently as a Scarsdale Village Trustee for four years. During that time he served variously as Chair of the Board's Parks and Recreation, Law, and Land Use Committees, and as Deputy Mayor. In prior years, he coached boys and girls teams in soccer, softball, and baseball for many years and served on the Fox Meadow Athletic Association. Thereafter, he was active in his temple, Congregation Kol Ami, serving as co-President for three years and as a board member for 12 years. David grew up in Scarsdale, attending Greenacres School, the Middle School, and graduating from Scarsdale High School. He received his BA from Harvard College and JD from Columbia Law School and is a trusts and estates partner at the law firm of Stapper & Van Doren in Manhattan. His wife, Cathy Pohl, also grew up in Scarsdale, where they have lived for the past 25 years. Their two children, Rachel and Matthew, grew up in Fox Meadow and are SHS graduates.
The Scarsdale Bowl is administered by the Scarsdale Foundation which operates as a not-for-profit community foundation to promote the civic welfare. The Foundation provides need-based financial aid to Scarsdale High School graduates who are entering their sophomore, junior and senior years in college and to children attending the Recreation Department summer day camp. It also administers a number of special purpose funds and makes grants for various community needs, which have included the Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corps and the Scarsdale/Edgemont Family Counseling Service.
Additional information about the Scarsdale Foundation and the Scarsdale Bowl can be found at www.scarsdalefoundation.org.
Sixth Annual Galaxy Forum at SHS
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- Written by: Heather Gilchriest Meili
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Under the supervision of SHS Science Department Chair Nicole Pisano, approximately 200 students from the Biology, Geology, Earth Sciences, and Physics classes attended the 6th Annual Galaxy Forum on Friday morning September 23rd in the Little Theater.
SHS Distinguished Alumnus Steve Durst, '61, of the International Lunar Observation Association (ILOA), was back in his hometown both to celebrate his 55th reunion and to introduce featured speaker Dr. Robert Richards.
Dr. Richards is co-founder of the International Space University in Strasbourg, France, and CEO of Moon Express Inc, a leading competitor to win the $30 million Google Lunar XPrize in 2017.
He began by asking the students to envision what they could imagine having accomplished 55 years after their own high school graduations and then, in his presentation titled "Creating Your Future: Peace Through Space," described for them an exciting view of the emerging era of democratized space exploration.
Pointing out that our moon contains vast reserves of the sought-after resources that create "the phones in your pockets," Dr. Richards introduced the idea of the moon as our eighth continent, complete with the essential element of water in ice form at its poles which gives it the potential to be our "gas station in the sky" for hydrogen peroxide rocket fuel. His current "Moon Express" project is intended as a step toward expanding earth's economic zone outward to the moon and beyond, unlocking its resources for the benefit of humanity.
One student asked Dr. Richards how his proposed landing site on the moon's south pole compares to the site of the previous U.S. moon landings. He explained that the moon's equator was an easier surface for landing while the pole is rocky and mountainous. A parachute landing won't work there; instead the craft will require a technically more difficult landing plan involving rockets to land it securely.
Dr. Richards urged students to get involved in space exploration initiatives such as SEDS USA (Students for the Exploration and Development of Space). Until recently, space exploration was the sole province of global superpowers, but today even high school student groups can build commercially available CubeSat projects with the opportunity to have them launched by NASA. He also invited the school to make a trip to Florida for a unique behind-the-scenes tour of Cape Canaveral and his work there with Moon Express. In conclusion, he challenged the student audience: "What is the best way to predict the future? Create it yourself."
Scarsdale Athletic Update: Raiders Girls Volleyball and Soccer Teams
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- Written by: Emmeline Berridge
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Girls' Volleyball Team is Motivated and Determined
Two wins and three losses might not be the ideal way to start the season, but the Scarsdale Girl's Volleyball team is not phased by their standing. Coming off a Section 1 title last year, the Raiders are motivated to make a state run. Starting libero Rena Li said that it feels "great coming off a strong season because we know how much we are capable of achieving and we have so much potential as a team." Except for using last season as a confidence booster, the girls are trying not to compare this year's team with previous ones. Although it might be easy to draw comparisons, Li noted that the team is "looking forward to the rest of the games and not resting on our section title."
Aiming to use their experienced starting lineup to their advantage, the team is excited to improve their league standings. The starting outside hitter is Sophie Fried, who is a senior and has been on the team since she was a sophomore. She has great offensive skills and contributes to gaining points. The starting middle is Mary Langford, who is a sophomore and is also a major offensive player. Senior Izzy Dechiario is the other middle. She uses her athleticism on blocks to help out the defense. Manya Kula, a sophomore, is impactful in the back row. Annemarie Horn, the team's setter, is a junior. She participates in 
every play and runs the offense. Senior Clare O'Hara, plays in the back row and consistently passes well in every game. Rena Li, the libero and defensive specialist is the team's backbone on defense, and helps to receive many difficult serves.
Working hard in practice every day, the Raiders are eager for more challenging games as the season unfolds. Although they are reluctant to draw any comparisons, the team is driven by last year's defeats. "After losing in regional finals last year and not being able to attend states we want to return this year as a stronger team."
Look for the Raider's determination at their next game September 27th vs. New Rochelle at 4:30.
Raiders Girls Soccer Team Looks Toward the Playoffs
The Scarsdale Girl's Soccer team started off the season with a1-3 loss against Clarkstown South, but according to staring center Allison Stafford, "The score was not a good reflection of the game, since we played them even the whole time, but had a couple breakdowns in the last 5 minutes." The Raiders then tied John Jay 2-2 in a hard fought battle that went to overtime. Next they beat North Rockland 1-0 at an away game, something that the girl's soccer team hasn't done in seven years. In their next game, the Raiders were missing a few starters due to injuries and lost to Suffern 0-3 but then dominated Mamaroneck 2-1. In their most recent game the team beat White Plains 3-0. Now the girls are on a winning streak, and hope to retain it so they can win the league and earn a high seed going into the playoffs.
Photos by Jon Thaler - see more photos here, Text by Emmeline Berridge
Solo Exhibit by Jill Krutick at the National Arts Club
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- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
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Scarsdale artist Jill S. Krutick will have a solo exhibition of her oil on canvas works at The National Arts Club at 15 Gramercy Park South in New York City during the month of October.
The show, titled, "The Balance of Texture & Movement," will appear in the Marquis Gallery. Ms. Krutick, 53, a native of Roslyn, New York transitioned from work as an investment analysis with a focus on entertainment and leisure companies to a successful career in art.
Influenced by Impressionists and Abstract Expressionists, she says "I focus on capturing colors, movement shapes and light around me. Using oil on canvas as the primary medium, I achieve balance through the precise placement of color and use of texture."
Ms. Krutick's work has been exhibited in corporate and private collections across the country as well as galleries in NYC, Miami, Philadelphia, Bridgehampton and Westchester. She invites you to visit her studio in Scarsdale.
The Opening Reception will take place on October 5th from 6-8 PM. Please RSVP at 914.522.0420; refreshments to be served.
Ms. Krutick earned her B.S. degree at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School and her M.B.A. degree at New York University's Stern School of Business.
For more information about Ms. Krutick and The National Arts Club show, please see www.jskartstudio.com.
