ELMSFORD, NY — The Westchester County Historical Society will present a virtual slide show on historic Glen Island on Thursday, July 8th, from 5:30 pm — 6:30 pm.
The free Zoom presentation will be given by Barbara Davis, Co-Director of WCHS and the New Rochelle City Historian, and will detail the story of what was once called “The World’s Pleasure Grounds.”
Within a year of its opening in 1880, over a half million people visited John Starin’s Glen Island Resort during the summer months. The pre-Disney theme park continued to be one of the region’s most popular steamboat destinations for over two decades. Its unique and wonderful amenities, architecture, and innovations were well-documented in postcards, photographs, and other archival items. Many of these vintage images will illustrate the narrative of this program, which includes the park’s rise, demise and subsequent resurrection as “Home of the Big Band Sound” and County park.
To register for the Zoom program:, visit the WCHS website or contact Barbara Davis by email or phone: (914) 231-1437.
Other upcoming programs detailed on the WCHS webpage include: “Meet Clio, The History App: Using Today’s Technology to Promote Your Community’s Past” (Tuesday, July 20, 12:00 pm — 1:00 pm), “Historic Preservation in Westchester” (Thursday, August 12, 5:30 – 7:00 pm), and “How to Research Your Westchester House” (Tuesday, August 24, 12:00 – 1:00 pm).