The Bronx County Historical Society facts for kids
The seal of The Bronx County Historical Society, which depicts Jonas Bronck and a Native American surveying the Bronck farm "Emmaus" in 1639
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| Abbreviation | BCHS |
|---|---|
| Named after | County and borough of the Bronx |
| Established | 1955 |
| Founders | Burt Gumpert, Elizabeth Siedenstein, Joseph Duffy, Sol Elbaum, Theodore Schliessman, Fred E.J. Kracke, John McNamara, Ronald Schliessman, Theodore Kazimiroff, Coralie Doherty, and Vincent Hunt |
| Legal status | private, non-profit |
| Purpose | educational and cultural |
| Headquarters | 3309 Bainbridge Avenue, The Bronx, NY 10467 |
| Location |
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CEO
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Gary Hermalyn |
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CAO
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Teresa Brown |
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Librarian and Archivist
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Dr. Steven Payne |
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Curator Emerita
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Kathleen A. McCauley |
| Publication | The Bronx County Historical Society Journal |
| Subsidiaries | Museum of Bronx History, Edgar Allan Poe Cottage, The Bronx County Historical Society Research Library, The Bronx County Archives |
| Affiliations | Historic House Trust, New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, |
The Bronx County Historical Society (BCHS) is a special group that helps collect and share the history of the Bronx, a borough in New York City. They also cover parts of southern Westchester County, New York.
This group gathers many historical items. These include books, photos, and other objects about the Bronx. They also keep important records about people and groups in the area. The Society shares this information with thousands of people every year. You can find information at their Research Library and The Bronx County Archives. They also help people by mail, phone, and online.
The Society works with the New York Public Library to share these resources. They are also making some of their collections available online.
Each year, the Society honors top students from Bronx high schools. They hold an awards ceremony at the Museum of Bronx History. The Society also publishes many books and articles about the Bronx. They create The Bronx County Historical Society Journal, which is the oldest history magazine published continuously in the New York metropolitan area.
Contents
Working Together: Special Projects
The Bronx County Historical Society often works with other groups on exciting projects.
Bronx African American History Project
The Society works with Fordham University on the Bronx African American History Project. This project collects stories from people about their lives. So far, they have gathered over 230 oral histories. They have also collected many historical records. This project has led to books, articles, talks, and exhibitions. The stories are kept safe at The Bronx County Archives.
Bronx Latino History Project
In 2010, the Society started the Bronx Latino History Project. This project highlights the stories of Latino people who have lived in or helped the Bronx. Latino people are the largest and fastest-growing group in the Bronx. They make up more than half of the county's population. The Society is working to add more collections that show the Bronx's diverse history.
BCHS Research Library: A Treasure Trove
The Bronx County Historical Society Research Library is a special place in New York City. It is the only facility focused only on collecting and sharing the history of the Bronx. The library's collections show how the Bronx grew. This includes its early days as part of Westchester County, when it joined the City of Greater New York, and up to today.
The Research Library has over 7,000 books, pamphlets, and magazines. Many of these are also available online. It also has more than 200 maps. The Photograph Collection has 75,000 photos and slides. This includes old glass negatives from the 1800s and early 1900s. There are also 1,600 postcards.
The library also has a large collection of audio and video materials. This includes tapes, records, and DVDs. Its Vertical file collection has over 400,000 newspaper clippings and other small historical papers about the Bronx.
The library also keeps important papers from famous people connected to the Bronx. These include Jamaal Bowman, Aurelia Greene, and Jackie Robinson. The library received a grant in 1977 to create the first complete guide to Bronx history.
The Bronx County Archives: Protecting History
The Bronx County Historical Society started The Bronx County Archives in 1974. It was created to store official records from the Bronx. The Archives now have their own building next to the Research Library. This building has special storage areas that control moisture and temperature.
The Bronx County Archives currently hold 114 different collections. These collections fill about 3,205 cubic feet of space. They show many parts of Bronx history. This includes businesses, city planning, community groups, culture, education, healthcare, and housing. They also have records about politicians and community activism. The Archives have many records about Black and Jewish life and culture in the Bronx. They are also adding more records about Latino life and culture. Most collections have guides to help researchers find what they need.
Historic Houses: Stepping Back in Time
Besides the Research Library and Archives, the Bronx County Historical Society also manages two important historic houses. These houses are recognized as national landmarks.
- The Edgar Allan Poe Cottage was the home of the famous poet Edgar Allan Poe.
- The Valentine–Varian House is an old farmhouse from the colonial era. It is now home to the Museum of Bronx History.
BCHS Publications: Sharing Stories
Since it started in 1955, The Bronx County Historical Society has published many items. These include books, magazines, and guides about Bronx history. They also produce videos and musical performances. Since 1964, the Society has published an annual journal. This journal includes articles, memories, and book reviews about Bronx history.
Here are some types of books and materials published by the Society:
- Books about local and regional history of the Bronx and New York City.
- The "Roots of the Republic" series, which teaches about American history and government.
- Books and materials about Edgar Allan Poe and his time in Fordham.
- Educational materials and guides for teachers and students.
- The Bronx County Historical Society Journal, which has been published for many years.
- Guides to the collections in The Bronx County Archives and Research Library.
- Media like videos and radio broadcasts about Bronx places and history.
- Special interest items like a Bronx cookbook and vintage postcards.
Official Historians of the Bronx
The official historian for the Bronx is usually based at The Bronx County Historical Society. This person is chosen independently.
- Ángel Hérnandez (2023–present)
- Lloyd Ultan (1996–2023)
- William A. Tieck (1989–1996)
- Theodore Kazimiroff
- Cyrus C. Miller
See also
- Gary Hermalyn — The CEO of the Bronx County Historical Society.
- Mark D. Naison — Involved with The Bronx African American History Project.
- List of historical societies in New York (state)
