NEW ROCHELLE, NY (July 31, 2025) — The Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle has donated nearly a century of archival materials to the New Rochelle Public Library, marking its 95th anniversary by making its historical records publicly accessible. The collection, transferred in February 2025, documents the Club’s work since its founding in 1929 and is now available in the library’s Local History Room.
The archive, compiled in 1998, includes records from the Club’s early years under founder Morton S. Fuerst, who served as executive director from 1929 to 1956. It details the organization’s development through the Great Depression, the Civil Rights Era, and into the 21st century. Materials include administrative records, meeting minutes, correspondence (1929–2013), newsletters, event flyers, annual reports, photographs, film reels, reel-to-reel audio tapes, and memorabilia such as patches and scrapbooks.
“During our 95th anniversary, we began revisiting the Club’s history and organizing decades of material that had been sitting in closets,” said William Iannuzzi, Chief Programming Officer at the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle. “The New Rochelle Public Library was the ideal institution to house and preserve these records, making them accessible to the public and future generations.”
The collection, housed in acid-neutral archival files and boxes, is cataloged in a detailed finding guide and available to researchers by appointment. It includes documents from the former South Side Clubhouse and Remington Clubhouse, as well as materials from Camp Hope, a 1930s summer program created with the Civilian Conservation Corps.
“We are deeply grateful to the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle for entrusting us with their archival materials,” said Eugenia Schatoff, Director of the New Rochelle Public Library. “This meaningful addition strengthens our collective memory and honors the profound impact the Club has had on countless young lives.”
The archive spans eight organized series, including founder Morton Fuerst records (1929-1953), club publications (1929-2009), administrative documents (1930-2013), photography (1929-2016), memorabilia (1990-2000), audio/visual materials (1936-1979), news clippings (1929-2016), and certificates and awards (1945-2009). Notable items include early film footage from Camp Hope, large-format photographs, and local news coverage of Club milestones.
“The New Rochelle Public Library is very grateful for the donation of a superb collection of archival records,” said David Rose, Archivist at New Rochelle Public Library. “This collection documents the entire history of the Club, and it shows how the New Rochelle community came together to protect and advance the education of our most precious resource, our children.”
Founded in 1929 as the Feeney Park Boys Club, the organization served over 500 boys in its first year and became the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle in 1985 to reflect its inclusion of girls. It now operates 13 program sites, including the new 22,000-square-foot Remington Clubhouse opened in 2023 and the Mascaro Teen Center, opened in 2025 at the Mascaro Clubhouse, named for former executive director August E. Mascaro.
“These materials reflect the Club’s consistent role in supporting youth throughout changing times,” Iannuzzi said. “The collection includes voices from generations of club members, records of past directors and staff, and photos that haven’t been seen in decades.”
Serving over 10,000 youths annually, the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle offers before-school, after-school, elective, and summer programs focused on academics, mental wellness, fitness, leadership, and civics. The organization is affiliated with Boys & Girls Club of America, a leading youth organization.
This article was drafted with the aid of Grok, an AI tool by xAI, under the direction and editing of Robert Cox to ensure accuracy and adherence to journalistic standards.