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
|
|
| 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 |
|
|
CEO
|
Gary Hermalyn |
|
CAO
|
Teresa Brown |
|
Librarian and Archivist
|
Dr. Steven Payne |
|
Curator Emerita
|
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 private group that doesn't aim to make a profit. It collects and shares important historical information about the Bronx, a borough of New York City. It also covers the southern part of Westchester County, New York.
The Society gathers many different items. These include books, photos, and other artifacts about the Bronx. They also keep official records about groups and people in the area. They help thousands of people each year find information. You can use their Research Library and Bronx County Archives. They also answer questions by mail, phone, and online.
The BCHS works with the New York Public Library to share these resources. They are also turning some of their collections into digital files. This makes them easier to access online. Each year, the Society honors top high school students from the Bronx. This special awards ceremony happens at the Museum of Bronx History.
The Society is the biggest publisher of books and articles about the Bronx. They also create The Bronx County Historical Society Journal. This is the oldest history magazine that has been published continuously in the New York metropolitan area.
Contents
Working Together: Special Projects
The Bronx County Historical Society works with Fordham University. Together, they sponsor the Bronx African American History Project. This project has collected over 230 oral histories. These are stories told by people about their lives. Many books, articles, and exhibitions have come from this project. The oral histories are kept safe at The Bronx County Archives.
In 2010, the Society started the Bronx Latino History Project. This project highlights important Latino people and their contributions to the Bronx. Latinos 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 collect more items that show the Bronx's diverse history.
BCHS Research Library: Discovering History
The Bronx County Historical Society Research Library is a special place. It is the only facility in New York City focused only on the Bronx's history. It collects, protects, and shares information about the Bronx. Its materials show how the Bronx grew from the 1600s to today. This includes when it was part of Westchester County. It also covers when it became part of New York City in the late 1800s.
The Research Library has over 7,000 books, newspapers, and magazines. Many of these are now available digitally. It also has more than 200 maps. Its photo collection has 75,000 pictures and slides. This includes 3,000 rare glass negatives from the 1800s and early 1900s. There are also 1,600 postcards showing old Bronx scenes.
The library also has a large collection of audio and video. This includes tapes, records, and DVDs. Finally, its "Vertical file" has over 400,000 newspaper clippings. These cover many different topics about the Bronx.
The Bronx County Archives: Preserving Records
The Bronx County Historical Society created The Bronx County Archives in 1974. Its job is to store official records from the Bronx. The Archives now have their own building. It is next to the Research Library. This building has special storage areas that control moisture and temperature. This helps protect the old documents.
The Archives currently hold 114 different collections. These collections fill about 3,205 cubic feet of space. They show many unique parts of Bronx history. This includes businesses, city planning, and community groups. They also cover culture, education, and healthcare. You can find records about housing, local history, and politicians. The Archives also have many documents about Black and Jewish life in the Bronx. More and more records about Latino life are being added too. Researchers can ask for guides to these collections.
Historic Houses: Stepping Back in Time
Besides the Research Library and Archives, the Bronx County Historical Society also manages two historic houses. These houses are recognized as national landmarks.
- The Edgar Allan Poe Cottage was the home of the famous American writer Edgar Allan Poe.
- The Valentine–Varian House is an old farmhouse from the colonial era. It also hosts 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. They cover many different parts of Bronx history. Since 1964, the Society has published an annual journal. This journal includes scholarly articles, personal stories, and book reviews.
Here are some examples of books and materials published by the Society:
Local History Books
- The Bronx Through the Years: A Geography and History by George J. Fluhr
- Yankee Stadium: 1923–2008, Images of Baseball by G. Hermalyn and Anthony Greene
- A Historical Sketch of The Bronx by G. Hermalyn and Lloyd Ultan
- History in Asphalt: The Origin of Bronx Street and Place Names by John McNamara
- The Beautiful Bronx 1920–1950 by Lloyd Ultan
American History Series
- About the Declaration of Independence: 200 Years of Freedom
- The Presidents of the United States by Lloyd Ultan
- The Signers of the Declaration of Independence by C. Edward Quinn, F.S.C.
Edgar Allan Poe Books
- Poems and Tales of Edgar Allan Poe at Fordham
- Edgar Allan Poe: A Short Biography by Kathleen A. McAuley
Educational Materials
- Local History Classroom Resource Guide
- The Satchel of Bronx History: Books for Educations and Students in The Bronx
- The South Bronx and the Founding of America: An Activity Book for Teachers and Students by Lisa Garrison
The Bronx County Historical Society Journal
- The Bronx County Historical Society Journal, published annually since 1964.
Collection Guides
- Guide to the Collections of The Bronx County Archives
- Guide to The Bronx County Historical Society Media Collection
Media Productions
- Bronx Faces and Places: Edgar Allan Poe and His Cottage (video)
- The Cask of Amontillado (musical composition) by Russell Currie
Special Interest Items
- The Bronx Cookbook by Peter Derrick and G. Hermalyn
- Bronx Views: 24 Ready-to-Mail Vintage Post Cards by G. Hermalyn
Bronx Historians
The official historian of 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.
