A virtual slide show about historic Glen Island will be presented by the Westchester County Historical Society (WCHS) on Thursday, July 8 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The free Zoom presentation will be given by Barbara Davis, co-director of WCHS and the New Rochelle City historian. She will detail the story of what was once called “The World”™s Pleasure Grounds.” Within a year of its opening in 1880, over a half-million people visited John Starin”™s Glen Island Resort during the summer months. The pre-Disney theme park continued to be one of the region”™s most popular steamboat destinations for over two decades. Its unique and wonderful amenities, architecture and innovations were well-documented in postcards, photographs and other archival items. They will illustrate the narrative of this program, which includes the park”™s rise, demise and subsequent resurrection as “Home of the Big Band Sound” and county park.
Established in 1874, the Westchester County Historical Society is one of the oldest historical societies in America and the only organization that collects and promotes the countywide history of Westchester.
To register for the program: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUud-urpjstEtYn-HCXO9vKLSEM2Wkjq3K0, visit the WCHS website: https://westchesterhistory.com or contact Davis by email at bbdy@westchestergov.com or phone 914-231-1437.
