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David Eisenhower Speaks about Importance of Preserving History at Brendan Gill/Historical Conservancy Lecture; See Photos

 Written by Nancy Vittorini, Member, Board of Directors, The Bronxville Historical Conservancy


Mar. 25, 2015: "History is a spiritual thing," began David Eisenhower, in his presentation at the 17th annual Brendan Gill Lecture, sponsored by The Bronxville Historical Conservancy.

A near-capacity crowd attended the event, which was held at Sarah Lawrence College on Friday, March 13, featuring the grandson of the 34th president of the United States, Dwight D. Eisenhower. The annual lecture is a gift to the community from the conservancy.

Marilynn Hill, life co-chair of the organization, introduced Eisenhower, summarizing his life career and achievements and noting that he is a much-admired historian and educator. Eisenhower spent the next hour affirming why he and his work are held in such high regard.

At times lighthearted and personal, Eisenhower offered entertaining recollections of life with his grandfather. A chuckle spread throughout Reisinger Auditorium as he revealed that our former president's name at birth was David Dwight--but he liked the sound of Dwight better, so when he went to West Point, he decided to make the switch.

With many opportunities to watch his grandfather work in the White House, in July of 1958, young Eisenhower decided that the president's secretary should type his first short story, and with all the boldness of a 10-year-old, asked her to do so. It was called "Janet Stays," and the first copy was sold to Richard Nixon for 15 cents. Nixon's thank-you note was addressed to "one of our very favorite authors."

Of the time when he went to visit his girlfriend, Julie--now his wife--at Smith College:  He introduced himself to the proctor:  "Hello, I'm David Eisenhower and I am here to visit Julie Nixon." The proctor replied, "And yeah, I'm Harry Truman." Julie Nixon Eisenhower, who was present at the lecture, joined in the audience's laughter.

Although some of his remarks were playful, others were pointedly serious about his commitment to preserving history. "History illuminates. It shows us how we want to live and be remembered," said the man who said he got his head start at becoming a historian by spending his boyhood in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

Going Home to Glory: A Memoir of Life with Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1961-1969, published in 2010, was the first time he and his wife, Julie, worked together on a book. The book is Eisenhower's insider's view of grandparents Ike and Mamie as they retired to their farm in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where David's father, John, lived with his family. David Eisenhower was named after his grandfather (and his grandfather named the presidential retreat Camp David after his grandson). Eisenhower was also a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in history in 1987 for his work Eisenhower: At War, 1943-1945, which is about the Allied leadership during World War II.

He said of his grandfather: "Eisenhower was not only a student of history--he understood it, he appreciated it, and he made it."

"What Americans did in 1944 truly saved liberty and democracy in our time."

A standing ovation followed that emotion-packed comment, along with a champagne reception where both David and Julie Eisenhower spoke one-on-one with those attending.

Those who missed the evening can view the lecture on Bronxville's government access channels 47 and 74.

To see photos, click here: 17th Annual Brendan Gill Lecture.

Pictured here: David Eisenhower and Julie Nixon Eisenhower attending the Brendan Gill Lecture at Sarah Lawrence College.

Photos by Bill Dowling, Katie Primerano, and Nancy Vittorini

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Bronxville Overview

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.

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Link to Village of Bronxville One Square Mile Monthly Newsletter

December 2024


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