By Guest Contributor
May 11, 2016: For Bronxville devotees and residents, the blockbuster book Defining the Landscapes of Bronxville has just been published and can be purchased at Bronxville Village Hall and at Womrath Bookshop for $30.
The book is the result of several years of collaboration on the part members of The Bronxville Historical Conservancy, along with Peter Gisolfi Associates, an architectural firm that has undertaken several projects in Bronxville, including the renovation of village hall.
Former Mayor Nancy Hand served as the project co-director and editor of the book and Nancy Vittorini as the layout assistant and photo placement editor. Marilynn Hill, co-founder of The Bronxville Historical Conservancy, wrote the preface and helped edit the book. Village historian Eloise Morgan served as the map consultant, in addition to consulting on Bronxville Village history.
The book is an informative and visually impressive document, with maps of the physical geography and cultural landscape of the village producing an analysis of Bronxville's natural landscape and its patterns of development.
The study also provides extensive information and pictures of the specific native trees, plants, and shrubs that thrive in various settings in the village as well as those that are considered invasive, many of which are now banned in New York State.
If you are interested in learning about the four distinct landscapes in Bronxville or conserving and enhancing its existing environment, the conservancy encourages you to buy a copy of this book. For additional information, contact Nancy Hand at 914-337-5304.
Pictured here: The cover photo of Defining the Landscapes of Bronxville.
Photo courtesy Nancy Hand, Project Co-Director and Editor of Defining the Landscapes of Bronxville
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