Videos

"The Birth of St. Mary's, by Robert F. Gowen. is a deeply moving and well-nigh incredible accomplishment in amateur film production. Described as a chronicle in retrospect by the church that it pictures, the film moves bravely into the treacherous domain of costume drama and emerges triumphant. To recreate the gracious life of another day, to catch the feeling of its clothes and the flavor of its customs, to stage all of this against settings not only dramatically sound but full of beauty as well — such were but part of the problems of the producer. Perhaps greatest of all was the task of carrying on each step of this work with the willing, but often wilting, help of an entire community, the accomplishment, through infinite patience, of holding this group together for an entire year. Mr. Gowen has done it all superbly well. To this triumph of teamwork he has added sensitive direction, finished acting by his players and genuinely first rank color photography of largely interior setting. A double turntable musical score, carefully selected for historical accuracy, accompanies the production. The Birth of St. Mary's is a loving and lovely testimony, destined to increase steadily in stature as it becomes itself a part of the past." Movie Makers, Dec. 1937, 602-603.

Read More

We've recently had some visitors who told us that they didn't even know we existed. So, we've decided to create this short video to try to remedy this situation. We hope you like it.

Founded in 1974 on the occasion of the village’s 75th anniversary, the mission of the Briarcliff Manor-Scarborough Historical Society is to promote lasting interest in the history and traditions of the community. In doing so, it seeks to:

• Promote and encourage original historical research,

• Gather, preserve, display and make available for study artifacts, relics, books, manuscripts, papers, photographs, and other records and materials relating to the history of Briarcliff Manor and Scarborough, the surrounding area and the State of New York,

• Encourage the preservation and suitable marking of places of historic interest.

Read More

We recently came across this video (from Rich Muller) entitled "The Kings College (Briarcliff Manor Campus) Re-visited" on YouTube. It concerns the Kings College, which was the last occupier of the Briarcliff Lodge before it was destroyed in a fire in 2003. It starts in November 2009 with someone pointing out where the buildings were on the former site of the Lodge (Where The Club is now located). The video then poses the question "But what if you could go back to a time when the Kings College was still operational"? It then provides a video showing the College at that time. Very interesting, if a little sad.

Read More

Village resident and architect Michael Molinelli recently posted a piece entitled Quaint Home Clusters. It deals with famous and not so famous clusters of homes that have a quaint and appealing appearance that were built to be similar or identical and in the same place. While these can be anywhere, we look at clusters in San Francisco, Briarcliff Manor NY, and Washington DC.

Read More

The Briarcliff Lodge was a luxury resort in the village of Briarcliff Manor, New York. It was a notable example of Tudor Revival architecture, and was one of the largest wooden structures in the United States. It was also the first hotel in Westchester County. Walter William Law had it built on his estate, and the Law family owned it until 1937. When the lodge opened in 1902, it was one of the largest resort hotels in the world. The lodge hosted presidents, royalty, and celebrities, and was the scene of numerous memorable occasions for visitors and local residents who attended weddings, receptions, and dances in the ballroom and dining room. For a long time, the lodge was situated among other businesses of Walter Law, including the Briarcliff Farms and Briarcliff Table Water Company.

Read More

In 1890 a wealthy man named Walter Law Purchased 232 acres in what would become Briarcliff Manor. In 1902 the Village of Briarcliff Manor makes it official and incorporates. 100 years later Briarcliff Manor becomes a fully mature, successful town. However, the maturity of the residents is still open for debate...The following production was created by the residents of Briarcliff Manor for the residents of Briarcliff Manor. Walter Law would be proud.

April 26th and 27t 2002.

Briarcliff Manor Presents

The Centennial Variety Show.

Read More

In this 2015 video, New York Assemblywoman Sandy Galef speaks to historian, author, and journalist, Jeff Canning and BMSHS's own Karen Smith: Executive Director of the Briarcliff Manor-Scarborough Historical Society and Briarcliff Manor Village Historian on why Historical Societies are important. and how each town has its own unique history.

Read More

A 1929 film depicting the Briarcliff Manor Fire Department responding to a call

Read More

Then High School senior Ali Arminio explores the meaning of community and home through the experience of recalling and embracing the past. Her unique perspective  raises the point that  how we value our stories may also determine how future generations will see us. And she reminds us that “remembering is not a solitary task but a collective one..”

Read More