Crossroads of Rockland History

Episode originally aired on Monday, April 15, 2024 at 9:30 am, on WRCR 1700 AM Radio We learned all about two new local history exhibitions opening in April 2024. First, we explored “When This You See, Remember Me: Inscribed Quilts from Rockland County” at the Historical Society of Rockland County. The exhibition's guest curator, Peggy Norris , a member of the American Quilt Study Group, Ridg...

Broadcast originally aired on Monday, March 18, 2024  at 9:30am on WRCR 1700AM.  Host Clare Sheridan welcomed  members of the Piermont Historical Society (PHS)  to discuss their recent efforts to preserve and share the history of Piermont with the public. The Piermont Historical Society is a dynamic organization ensuring that the unique history of the Village is passed down through generations of...

Broadcast originally aired on Monday, February 19, 2024 at 9:30 am, on WRCR 1700 AM Did you know that the Lafayette Theater in Suffern, NY is Rockland County's only single-screen movie palace? In operation since 1924, it marks its100th anniversary this year! With special guests Ari Benmosche and Craig Long we turned our attention to the history of the Lafayette Theater and learned about the o...

Episode originally aired Monday, January 15, 2024 at 9:30 am on WRCR radio 1700AM. Host Clare Sheridan welcomed Winston Perry, President of the John Green Preservation Coalition who updated us on the progress of the preservation and restoration of the John Green House in Nyack, NY. The John Green House (JGH) is the oldest remaining Dutch Colonial Sandstone structure in the Village of Nyack NY, bui...

Episode originally aired on Monday, December 18, 2023 at 9:30 AM, on WRCR Radio 1700AM Jennifer Rothschild, the HSRC's director of programming, joined host Clare Sheridan to talk about “Winter Wonderland: The 47th Annual Holiday Exhibition.” The exhibition celebrates winter and its gift-giving holidays by showcasing items from the HSRC collections that include children’s toys, books, and game...

Broadcast originally aired on Monday, November 20, 2023 at 9:30 AM, on WRCR Radio 1700 AM We turned our attention to the Soap Box Derby. James Cassetta ( History Librarian at the Pearl River Public Library)  joined host Clare Sheridan to chronicle the derby's rollercoaster history—from its national origins to Pearl River’s thrilling ride; from its post–World War II arrival to a glorious rebir...

Broadcast originally aired on Monday, October 16, 2023 at 9:30am on WRCR 1700AM.  Frank Eberling and his brother Ray Eberling , New City natives, joined host Clare Sheridan for a discussion about the early days of New City and the wagon that their grand father used to carry mail on New City’s Rural Free Delivery routes at the turn of the 20th century. Since the 1970s, when it was donated to our co...

Broadcast aired Monday, September 18, 2023 9:30 am, on WRCR 1700 AM Radio We explored one of the most significant historical events in Rockland History: the Treason of the Revolution. On September 22, 1780, American General Benedict Arnold and British Major John André met in the woods along the Hudson shoreline in Rockland County, and there began an act of treason that would become a pivotal point...

A portion of this interview aired on Monday, August 21, 2023 at 9:30 am, on WRCR Radio 1700 AM Special guest TG Jamroz  spoke about his new documentary, The Murals , which delves into the art of Henry Varnum Poor, formerly of New City. The film features the New Deal–era Uptown Post Office Murals in Chicago and explores how and why they were made by Poor; why they feature Carl Sandburg and Louis Su...

Broadcast originally aired on Monday, July 17, 2023 at 9:30 AM, on WRCR 1700 AM Radio Dr. Vincent Cookingham joined host Clare Sheridan to discuss his new book, The Germond Family Murders: A Forensic Conclusion to a Cold Case. His recent appearance at the HSRC was sold out, so this show offered listeners another chance to hear about Cookingham's forensic investigation into this ninety-year-ol...

Broadcast originally aired on Monday, June 19, 2023 at 9:30 am on WRCR Radio 1700 AM   We learned about a new documentary film  titled What Happened to Jackson Avenue: A Story of Urban Renewal . Clare Sheridan spoke with the filmmakers, Hakima Alem and Rudi Gohl . We  also heard from members of the Phoenix Theatre Ensemble, Craig Smith and Elise Stone , who are producing this powerful film. What H...

Broadcast originally aired Monday, May 15, 2023, 9:30 am, on WRCR AM1700 We explored the new book by local author Tom Stratford titled Along Came Zita. The book has been described as “a story of one man's journey with Hollywood Gold”: Zita Johann   (1904–1993), who lived for many years in Rockland County. A stage and screen actress, Johann is best known for her role opposite Boris Karloff in...

Episode originally aired on Monday, April 17, 9:30 am, on WRCR 1700AM We explore “Getting There: Rivers, Roads, Rails,“ the new exhibition opening at the Orangetown Historical Museum & Archives. Mary Cardenas , Orangetown Historian and museum director; Elizabeth Skrabonja , exhibition curator; and Steve Schwinn , member of the Board of the Friends of the Orangetown Museum, jjoined  host Clare...

Broadcast originally aired Monday, March 20, 2023 at 9:30 am, on WRCR AM 1700 In recognition of March as Women's History Month, we delved into the history of Avon. Beginning as the California Perfume Company, it called Suffern, NY home for more than a century, making it one of the longest continuously running businesses in Rockland County. Host Clare Sheridan welcomed Rockland County Historia...

Broadcast aired Monday, February 20, 2023, 9:30 am, on WRCR AM1700 Crossroads of Rockland History  recognized February as Black History Month. Host Clare Sheridan revisited the 2011 interview with Dr. Travis Jackson (1934–2021) about his personal memories and his extensive research related to the desegregation of the Hillburn schools and the role that Thurgood Marshall played in this important pie...

Broadcast originally aired on Monday, January 16, at 9:30 am, on WRCR AM 1700 Did you know that the Pearl River Public library is celebrating its 60th anniversary? Host Clare Sheridan welcomed James Cassetta of the Pearl River Public Library to the program. In honor of its 60th anniversary, the library is inviting the public to share personal recollections in videotaped interviews. Memories includ...

Broadcast originally aired on M onday, December 19, 9:30 am, on WRCR 1700AM Jennifer Brooks , Public Education and Outreach Coordinator at the HSRC, joined host Clare Sheridan to discuss Dutch Holiday Traditions. We traced the line between the traditions of early Dutch settlers in Rockland County and surrounding areas to the growth of our modern American Christmas.  We explored the history behind...

A 30-minute version of this interview aired on Monday, November 21, 2022 at 9:30AM on WRCR Radio 1700AM.  2022 marks the 140th birthday of Edward Hopper. On this episode, we learned about about the events celebrating this extraordinary artist, who was born in Nyack, NY. Kathie Bennewitz , executive director of the Edward Hopper House, joined host Clare Sheridan to discuss the new exhibition at Hop...

Broadcast originally aired Monday, October 17, 9:30 am, on WRCR Radio. We  explored the Haunted History of Rockland County. First, host Clare Sheridan read the mysterious story of Lavender , and afterward we revisited a 2014 episode of "Crossroads"  featuring an interview with the author, historian, and ghost hunter Linda Zimmermann . Whether it’s the house on LaVeta Place in Nyack; Bosc...

Broadcast originally aired on Monday, September 19, at 9:30 am on WRCR Radio We  turned our attention to the life and legacy of the actor Burgess Meredith , who lived in Pomona, NY for thirty years. Meredith’s son, Jonathan Meredith, joined Clare Sheridan to share his memories of his father, growing up in Rockland County, and his father’s eclectic group of creative friends and neighbors, including...

Episode originally aired on Monday, August  15, 2022, 9:30 am, on WRCR The  August, 2022 episode focused on the new exhibitions at the Historical Society of the Nyacks and at the Historical Society of Rockland County. Miriam Hoffman was  on hand to discuss “Storytellers from Nyack & Nearby,” the current exhibition at the Historical Society of the Nyacks. The exhibit features the work of 14 aut...

Episode originally aired Monday, July 18, 2022, 9:30 am, on WRCR AM1700 We  learned about “The Orangetown Memory Project,” the new exhibition at the Orangetown Historical Museum and Archives. Members of the museum staff ( Mary Cardenas, Elizabeth Skrabonja and Stefanie D'Erasmo ) joined Clare Sheridan to discuss the exhibition, which uses artifacts and archives from the Orangetown Museum&apos...

Episode originally aired on Monday, June 20, 2022, at 9:30am, on WRCR 1700AM We turned our attention to the life and legacy of Millia Davenport . David Bisaha , Assistant Professor of Theater at SUNY Binghamton joined host Clare Sheridan to discuss this remarkable and trailblazing woman who lived most of her life in Rockland County. Among her many contributions include writing the definitive book...

Broadcast originally aired on Monday, May 16, at 9:30am on WRCR Radio 1700AM Kathleen Meehan Do visited the program to discuss the new book she edited entitled "Confessions of a Hayseed D.A." written by her father Robert R. Meehan. In this page turner, former Rockland District Attorney Robert R. Meehan takes the reader through his journey from naive do-gooder to seasoned prosecutor, inve...

Broadcast originally aired Monday, April 18, at 9:30 am, on 1700AM WRCR The life and artistic legacy of the late Sidney Simon (1917–1997). On the occasion of an exhibition of Simon's works at the Blue Hill Art and Cultural Center (Pearl River, NY), two of Simon's children, Teru Simon and Mark Simon , joined Clare Sheridan to share memories of their father, his art, his life and their own...