The Ghosts of Bronxville to Return Friday, October 16
By Erin Saluti, Member, Board of Directors, The Bronxville Historical Conservancy
Sep. 23, 2015: On Friday, October 16, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm, The Bronxville Historical Conservancy will offer the popular Ghosts of Bronxville event for its second run.
As the sun begins to set, 225 children from first through seventh grades will have the opportunity to encounter five important "ghosts" from Bronxville's history, many of them in their original dwellings. Five homes within easy walking distance of each other on and around the Hilltop neighborhood have been secured for the appearance of the spectral figures.
Children and their adult chaperones will move along a predetermined route, guided by a hand-drawn map and the light of a (battery-powered) candle. At each home, an actor in period garb will share the story of his or her life in Bronxville during the late 19th century (but with a very spooky bent). Sets laden with authentic antique props and unique backdrops painted by artist Marc Pollack will contribute to an eerily realistic night. To keep excited participants occupied while waiting to meet the apparitions, traditional Halloween games will be offered along the route.
The Ghosts of Bronxville was a concept originated by the BHC Young Families Committee in 2013 to introduce the children of the village to the incredible history that surrounds them every day. This year, Ghosts of Bronxville co-chairs Michelle McBride, Stafford Meyer, and Erin Saluti have assembled a vibrant committee to assist in the event's production. Erin Saluti contributed, "We are so fortunate to have a group of incredibly talented people across a wide spectrum of expertise working together to make this year's 'Ghosts' even richer than the original." Committee members for 2015 include Maree Cutaia, Christine Fitzgibbons, Tina Adams Halaby, Cece Heraty, Emily Liggitt, Jennifer Russo, Laura van Tienhoven, and Lyndal Vermette.
Continuing a very successful partnership with Sarah Lawrence College for the inaugural Ghosts of Bronxville in 2013, five graduate students from the Sarah Lawrence graduate theater department will again portray the "ghosts" stationed at each home. Co-chair Stafford Meyer remarked, "The incredibly professional performances by the Sarah Lawrence actors in 2013 truly made the children suspend their disbelief. We are thrilled to be working together again." In addition, several talented Bronxville High School drama enthusiasts will play historically accurate "apparitions" encountered along the route.
Though three of the most popular "ghosts" will be making a reappearance, the committee is excited to introduce two new historic figures, as well as three new houses. "We do not want to stray from the much-loved original," explained co-chair Michelle McBride, "but are delighted to expand the children's understanding of our history through the introduction of some new, intriguing figures."
Tickets sold out within a week in 2013; the committee encourages you to act quickly to avoid disappointment. Tickets are available for purchase on the BHC website at http://bronxvillehistoricalconservancy.org/events/categories/young-families-committee/.
If you have any questions, please contact Stafford Meyer at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The Bronxville Historical Conservancy was founded in 1998 to record and preserve Bronxville's history and celebrate the culture and life in the village today. The Young Families Committee encourages the engagement of school-age children and their parents with the history of our village and the mission of the Conservancy.
Pictured here: Photos from the previous Ghosts of Bronxville event.
Photos courtesy The Bronxville Historical Society
Government & History Directory
Bronxville is a quaint village (one square mile) located just 16 miles north of midtown Manhattan (roughly 30 minutes on the train) and has a population of approximately 6,500. It is known as a premier community with an excellent public school (K-12) and easy access to Manhattan. Bronxville offers many amenities including an attractive business district, a hospital (Lawrence Hospital), public paddle and tennis courts, fine dining at local restaurants, two private country clubs and a community library.
While the earliest settlers of Bronxville date back to the first half of the 18th century, the history of the modern suburb of Bronxville began in 1890 when William Van Duzer Lawrence purchased a farm and commissioned the architect, William A. Bates, to design a planned community of houses for well-known artists and professionals that became a thriving art colony. This community, now called Lawrence Park, is listed on the National register of Historic Places and many of the homes still have artists’ studios. A neighborhood association within Lawrence Park called “The Hilltop Association” keeps this heritage alive with art shows and other events for neighbors.
Bronxville offers many charming neighborhoods as well as a variety of living options for residents including single family homes, town houses, cooperatives and condominiums. One of the chief benefits of living in “the village” is that your children can attend the Bronxville School.
The Bronxville postal zone (10708, known as “Bronxville PO”) includes the village of Bronxville as well as the Chester Heights section of Eastchester, parts of Tuckahoe and the Lawrence Park West, Cedar Knolls, Armour Villa and Longvale sections of Yonkers. Many of these areas have their own distinct character. For instance, the Armour Villa section has many historic homes and even has its own newsletter called “The Villa Voice” which reports on neighborhood news.
Link to Village of Bronxville One Square Mile Monthly Newsletter
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