By Ellen C. de Saint Phalle, Member, Board of Directors, The Bronxville Historical Conservancy
Jan 9, 2019: On January 13, from 2:30 to 5:00 pm, The Bronxville Historical Conservancy (BHC) will bring architect Stephen Schwartz, founder of Building Blocks Workshops, back to The Bronxville School for another afternoon of unique learning. Bronxville students in grades 3 to 5 and their families will explore Bronxville’s rich history by recreating village homes and public buildings with LEGO. Registration opens January 3 through SignUpGenius at The Bronxville School.
A map of Bronxville Village will cover the gym floor, and students and their families will select from more than 50 structures, using photographs and architectural details provided by the BHC. The program will begin at 2:30 and over the course of three hours, families will build Bronxville brick by brick. This multigenerational experience is designed not only for young students but also for the enjoyment of siblings, parents, and grandparents.
BHC board member Jim Hudson is spearheading the program again this year and has taken most of the photographs of village homes and buildings participants will use to create their designs. Conservancy co-founder Marilynn Hill and board member Ellen de Saint Phalle compiled architectural as well as historical details for each structure to help students construct their models. Village historian Raymond H. Geselbracht also contributed information and photographs from the library’s history center archives. BHC board member Nancy Vittorini designed the maps and promotional material for the event. Board members Suzanne Pratt Davis and Michelle McBride coordinated registration with The Bronxville School. BHC board member Lorraine Shanley is also on the committee organizing this event.
Hudson said, “The program was such a success last year, we are excited to provide the opportunity for more families to explore village history by building Bronxville with LEGO.”
Editor's note: As a public service, MyhometownBronxville publishes articles from local institutions, officeholders, and individuals. MyhometownBronxville does not fact-check statements therein, and any opinions expressed therein do not necessarily reflect the thinking of its staff.
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.
Village of Bronxville Administrative Offices
337-6500
Open 9:00am - 4pm excluding holidays and weekends
Bronxville Police Department
337-0500
Open 24 hours
Bronxville Parking Violations
337-2024
Open 9:00am - 4pm excluding holidays and weekends
Bronxville Fire Deparment
793-6400