NEW ROCHELLE, NY — “New Rochelle: Home for the Holidays” is the title of a local history exhibit and presentation being offered at in the New Rochelle Public Library this November. A sampling from the library’s extensive collection of archival photographs will be on display in the library’s Lumen Winter Gallery from Wednesday, November 15 – Saturday, December 2. The images are from various eras, with an emphasis on more recent history, representing the 1950s and 1960s. The exhibit will also include images from the late 1800s, some of which were printed from glass plate negatives and never before displayed. New Rochelle’s landmarked properties—those on the National Register of Historic Places and with local protection—will also be highlighted in the exhibit.
On Sunday, November 26, from 3:00 – 4:00 pm, city historian Barbara Davis will present an illustrated overview of New Rochelle’s long and impressive history. The digital presentation will take place in the library’s Ossie Davis Theater, and will cover the community’s 325+ years—from a unique Huguenot settlement to a premier New York suburban community, including New Rochelle’s exceptional architecture, notable residents and trend-setting movements. Following, Ms. Davis will provide a brief program on how to research your New Rochelle home.
Barbara Davis, who is also the library’s community relations coordinator, has been interpreting the city’s illustrious history for over 20 years, through tours, slide presentations, and published articles. She is the former chair of the Historic Preservation Advisory Committee for the County of Westchester and is a past president and trustee of the Westchester County Historical Society. Ms. Davis was the executive director of New Rochelle’s Tricentennial in 1988 and served on the 325th anniversary committee in 2013.