November 2010

The Brunswick Historical Society began in the early 1970's, when a handful of community members interested in preserving both the history and historically significant structures of Brunswick began meeting for conversation and an investigation of the past. The original group assembled in rooms of local churches, school libraries, and in each other's homes, while soliciting town residents for the donations that later became the foundation of the society's collections. As the group did not yet have a permanent address, the collected historical records, documents, and objects were housed around town in the garages and outbuildings of kindly neighbors.

Due to the considerable interest, in 1974 the members invited all residents to a meeting to discuss the possibility of formalizing a historical society for the Town of Brunswick. Further meetings were scheduled and, in the fall of that year, Charter Memberships were issued to those who had initially organized the group. While membership was limited at first, the celebration of both New York State and America's Bicentennial sparked an interest in local history that prompted many other town residents to join the group.

The museum contributes to the cultural life and prosperity of the county by preserving and enhancing collections, programs, and our historic structure. In addition to being a regional attraction, the museum conducts and publishes research in the field of Saratoga County history through exhibits, programs, publications, and an interactive web site. Brookside also fosters research through access to its library and collections and by providing educational programming at the museum, in the community, and online.

The mission of the Brooklyn Historical Society is to connect the past to the present and make the vibrant history of Brooklyn tangible, relevant, and meaningful for today's diverse communities, and for generations to come.

The society is not only dedicated to preserving Bronx history. It also offers a variety of programs for the casual visitor, tourist, business person, student, or researcher interested in learning more about contemporary life in The Bronx. Tours of the borough are conducted by the society's staff and volunteers, while special publications, radio and cable T.V programs, concerts, educational programs, expeditions, art shows and lecture series highlight today's Bronx as well as the borough's heritage.

The common theme in all these activities is the restoration is pride in The Bronx through an awareness of the borough's true place in the history and development of the region. The buildings maintained by the society are major attractions and also serve as anchors around which stable neighborhoods can develop and thrive. Educational programs allow people of all ages to explore firsthand the history of the borough by becoming active participants in the discovery and preservation of the past and present. The society believes that its contributions are unique and play a central role in the revitalization of The Bronx.

The Corwith house was built c. 1840 by William Corwith (1791-1872). At least part of the structure appears to pre-date the 1840's and may be in fact a portion of a house purchased by Henry Corwith (1758-1820) in the late 18th century. The present house was occupied by his descendants until the homestead was donated to the Hampton Library of Bridgehampton in 1960. The Corwith Homestead was leased by the Bridge Hampton Historical Society from the Hampton Library in 1961 with the eventual goal of purchasing the building and property. After a series of three year leases the Historical Society raised the funds to purchase the homestead in 1972. With the purchase of the house the Society also acquired a number of original documents and furnishings pertaining to the Corwith family. The Corwith family was involved in the local industry of the hamlet of Bridgehampton through their farming activities and boarding of summer visitors. The fact that the house seems to have been built, altered, and updated by a single family offers a unique opportunity to present the history of Bridgehampton hamlet over time through the examination of a single property.

It was built by John Bowne, who emigrated from England to Boston in 1649 and settled in Flushing, Queens, when New York was under Dutch Rule. His family prospered in America: the nine generations born and raised in the house produced businessmen, horticulturalists, educators and politicians. Over the course of 300 years, the family left its mark on American culture, participating in events of both regional and national significance -starting with John Bowne's courageous defense of religious freedom in 1662, an act which established the principles later codified in the Bill of Rights.

The society pursues its goals through its museum, its historic house with its ancillary structures, its museum collections and gallery exhibitions, its educational programs, its outreach to the community, and its publication of studies on local history and material culture. Seeking to provide knowledge and insight into the cultural inheritance of the area, the society is a resource encouraging and assisting individuals, the public sector, and private organizations concerned with historic preservation.

The society is committed to preserving the historic town and original Village Green, to educating students of all ages in Bedford's unique history, and to interpreting our collections for the benefit of residents and visitors alike.

In addition to operating and maintaining our historic buildings, the society opens two museums to the public from April to December with the help of devoted volunteers. The society also sponsors lectures of historical and community interest, educational tours, special exhibits of our collections, and special events that promote an appreciation of our history. It also works to preserve and collect local historic treasures and to provide educational information to those studying local history.

The birth of the Bayside Historical Society was the culmination of several committees initiated by its founder, Joseph H. Brown. His aims were the beautification and protection of the environment and community in which he lived, and awakening civic pride in Bayside’s long history. In 1964, with Brown’s leadership, the society was officially founded by a small group of like-minded residents with three goals: The preservation and restoration of the Lawrence Family Cemetery, Alley Pond and Fort Totten.

Today the Officers’ Club at Historic Fort Totten Park is home to the Bayside Historical Society, and hosts events, exhibitions and cultural programs. It is a learning destination for local schools and a resource for scholars and community groups.

The 209-year-old Ten Broeck Mansion is the headquarters of the Albany County Historical Association (ACHA), an organization that helps preserve and explain the history and heritage of New York's Capital Region. The association owns and operates the Ten Broeck Mansion -- designated by New York State as a "historic house museum" -- and its programs, and is active in the community as an educational entity and catalyst for historic preservation.