Professional Documents
Culture Documents
BHC Chronicle Spring 2014
BHC Chronicle Spring 2014
TUCKAHOE
BRONXVI LLE
BHC Founders Bob Riggs and Marilynn Hill
Recall Alexander Mastertons Life and Infuence
A standing-room-only gathering crowded into
St. Pauls Church Visitor Center on So. Columbus Ave.
in Mt. Vernon on the evening of April 2, eager to learn
more about Alexander Masterton, Eastchesters 19th-
century marble entrepreneur. Te lecture, co-sponsored
by St. Pauls Church National Historic Site and by the
Eastchester 350th Anniversary Committee, was part of
St. Pauls regular Tursday evening series of historical talks.
Te crowd was not disappointed by guest lecturers
Marilynn Hill and Bob Riggs who feshed out the story
of Alexander Masterton, a Scottish immigrant and master
stone-cutting crafsman who parlayed his knowledge of
the stone business into the development of a successful
marble enterprise in Eastchester. His life, frst in down-
town Manhattan and then in Bronxville, Tuckahoe and
Eastchester, also illustrates how afairs of business and of
neighborhoods were handled in a pre-Civil War era when
a rural town was still dependent on New York City for its
commerce. Mastertons footprint continued for many
years, since his descendants lef their mark on historical
residences in town, as well as on the community that
benefted from their civic virtue.
Bronxville villagers know of the Masterton-Dusenberry
home on White Plains Road, listed on the National Register
of Historic Places, and prime residence for Masterton and
his ofspring for more than a century. Some even remember
Miss Amie Dusenberry, who was not only an active tennis
enthusiast, but also chaired the towns relief committee
during the Great Depression.
But it took Bob Riggs and Marilynn Hill to bring to
life the character and vision that Masterton himself possessed.
We learned from Riggs that while Masterton marble is
indeed found in many important structures throughout
the country, many of the other claims of its presence are
just that, claims. Hill captivated us with tales of Masterton
intervening to settle neighbors disputes, to support the
local Reformed Church, but not attend, and to serve as
patriarch of the large family of six children that he and his
wife Euphenus would have.
Te Bronxville Veterans Memorial (BVM) was
founded by local residents Jane Staunton and Cindi
Callahan in 2008 and is fnancially supported by the
Bronxville Historical Conservancy. Te goal of the BVM
is to help restore the original meaning to Memorial Day by
honoring the local men and women of the U.S. Armed
Forces who have served and are serving our country today.
Te BVM started as an annual Memorial Day exhibit,
displayed over the years at the Bronxville Middle School
and the Bronxville Womens Club. Te exhibit included
reproductions of village photos from the WWI and WWII
periods, memorabilia donated by local residents and a
collection of personal stories of those who have served and
supported the armed services, both overseas and on the
home front, over the past century. At the heart of the exhibit
was the Honor Roll, a list of over 1,500 men and women
from the Bronxville area who have served or are serving
in the U.S. Armed Forces today.
Tis exhibit is now in the process of being converted to
the website found at www.bronxvilleveterans.org. Since the
material is
extensive,
it will be
converted in
phases. Phase
One, which is
now complete, includes the Honor Roll and a historic photo
collage on the Home Page. In Phase Two, the Honor Roll
will have an interactive search capability whereby one can
look up individual names or sort by those who have served
in a particular war or branch of the service. Additionally, a
veterans personal stories, photos and experiences will be
available via a hyperlink to their name.
Tis website is intended to serve not only as a remem-
brance but also as a thank you to those who have served and
continue to serve our country. It is an educational forum for
young and old alike and a chance for all to truly understand
the contributions our community made to our nation.
For further information, please contact Jane Staunton at
info@bronxvilleveterans.org.
New website honors Bronxville Veterans
by Patty Dohrenwend
Alexander
Masterton
THE CHRONICLE
Spring 2014
Editor: Liz Folberth
Contributing Editors: Patty Dohrenwend,
Marilynn Hill, Eloise Morgan,
Jane Staunton
Contributing Photographers: Neely Bower,
Liz Folberth, Katie Martin Primerano,
Nancy Vittorini, Dale Walker
Designer: Rosemary Campion,
Blackbird Creative Services
Submissions welcome!
Presorted First Class
US Postage
PAID
Permit # 1782
White Plains, NY
P. O. BOX 989
BRONXVI LLE, NEW YORK 10708
The Bronxville Historical Conservancy was founded in 1998 to further the understanding and appreciation of the history and current life of
the Village of Bronxville, New York.The Conservancy furthers its mission through the presentation of programs, publications, lectures and
special events that foster an awareness of the villages architectural, artistic and cultural heritage and lends its support for projects designed
to strengthen and preserve those legacies. If you would like to become a member, visit our website www.bronxvillehistoricalconservancy.org
or mail a check for $50 or more to P.O. Box 989, Bronxville, NY 10708.
UPCOMING
EVENTS
Tis fall the popular Conservancy boat cruise
will take members to Staten Island, the site of Historic
Richmond Town, founded by the Staten Island Historical
Society in 1856. Historic Richmond Town is a remarkable
living history town and museum complex that evokes
350 years of history and culture. Te complex includes
New York Citys oldest continuously working family farm
and two other historic sitesincluding one of the oldest
original houses in the country. Tere is no other place
like it in New York City. Tere are more than 130,000
artifacts, photographs and archival collections dating back
to the 17th century. At the center of the collections are
original historic structures dating back as far as the 1860s
that provide a platform to share the stories of ordinary
people and their lives. Mark your calendars for September
28th and watch for more details in your mailbox.
Save the Date! SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28
Annual Boat Cruise to Historic Richmond Town
COMI NG THI S FALL: A UNI QUE EVENI NG EVENT!
Te team behind Te Ghosts of Bronxville has an exciting adult members-only evening event in the
works for the fall. Tis is one you wont want to miss! Stay tuned for more information.