Videos

On Saturday, December 7, 2024, at 2:00pm at the Vescio Community Center, 1 Library Road Briarcliff Manor Marc Cheshire, Village Historian, Croton-on-Hudson presented the story of the stone houses constructed between 1900 and 1938 on land Elizabeth Stevenson inherited from her father. Except for the first one, Wyndhurst, all the houses were designed by Elizabeth and her son Harvey, who once said his mother had “a unique obsession to plan and build.” Marc took us behind the stone walls to see these remarkable homes—two of which are hidden from view—and to learn about some of the famous people who lived in them.

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On Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at 7:00 pm The Congregational Sons of Israel (CSI) in collaboration with the Briarcliff Manor Historical Society (BMSHS) gave a presentation on the history of the CSI. Mr. Irwin Kavy presented a comprehensive history of the synagogue. A highlight of the presentation was when Mr. Kavy showed a time capsule that had been found in the building that previously housed the synagogue. He also showed and described the contents. The presentation ended with a lengthy Q&A that provoked an enthusiastic response from the participants.

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On Friday, April 24, 1908 an event took place in Briarcliff Manor the like of which had never been seen in the village before and has not been seen since. The 1908 Briarcliff Trophy Race. The course spanned much of Westchester County. The 32.4-mile circuit was to be completed 8 times for a total of 259.2 miles. The original plan was for 10 laps for a total of 324 miles, but this was changed because of limits to how long the roads could be kept open and that entrants would drive dangerously in order to meet the deadline. There were 22 entrants with vehicles from five countries: Austria, France Germany, Italy and the US. All cars were four-cylinder stock cars. 19 of them had four speeds while the Isolas had three speeds. All 22 entrants were men. June Cuneo the most prominent female racing driver was denied entry. 300,000 people watched the race throughout the county, and Briarcliff Manor had more than 100,000 visitors on that day. The present video, make in 2008, commemorates the centennial of that race. First, we see a parade of vintage automobiles, followed by an exhibition of the cars in Law Park, and finally a prize giving ceremony in the Law Park Pavilion.

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Presentation given to the Briarcliff Manor-Scarborough Historical Society (BMSHS) by Oliver Chamberlain, the author of "A Clear Vision to Future Delight Landscapes and Writings of Harold Caparn" FASLA, 2nd ed, rev., 2022.

He has also been:

Faculty, Chair, Music History Department of Composition & History, College of Musical Arts, Bowling Green State University, Ohio, 1968-1986. publications on music of 13th, 16th, 19th, C., landscape design, 20th C.

Executive Director, Center for the Arts, University of Massachusetts Lowell, 1986-1996, presented national and international artists in visual and performing arts.

President, New England Presenters, 1995

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In January of 1974, Lawrence Reilly, Jr. added his name to the long line of Reilly’s in service to the Briarcliff Manor Fire Department (BMFD), Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and the Village community.

He has served every possible rank within the BMFD, including all the line officers’ positions, the Fire Company presidency, Chief Driver, Fire Council member, and 30 years at the helm of the BMFD Deputy Chiefs. His latest assignment is as a Director of the Westchester County Volunteer Firefighter’s Association.

Chief Reilly has guided the BMFD through impressive innovations and accomplishments. He introduced the Department to its first air-conditioned fire truck, the first set of bunker gear, EMS’s first defibrillator, the first NY State ambulance certification (with Phylis Smalley’s assistance), and the BMFD’s first official patch.

The BMSHS would like to thank Chief Reilly for his long service to our community and we very much appreciate his willingness to participate in this interview.

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An Annual Meeting of the Briarcliff Manor - Scarborough Historical Society took place, April 30, 2006, at the Walter W. Law mansion at 139 Scarborough Road, Briarcliff Manor. In addition to the usual business the meeting featured historical music composed and performed by Carmino Ravosa with vocalists the late Betsy O’Leary, Tom Vincent, and Rebecca Simpson Wallack

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"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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

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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..”

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