Posts by Austin, Adult Librarian

Forward & Out

Forward & Out

Forward & Out is composed of 49 episodes, was made for the LGBTQ+ community, and was produced by the White Plains Cable station. The show was produced from 1993 through 1996, and was broadcast from January 1994 through January 1997. At its peak, Forward & Out was broadcast via cable and over-the-air to 1.2 million households in primarily the NY/NJ/CT area and as far away as Philadelphia. The show’s mission was to stimulate pride and raise self-esteem within the LGBTQ+ community by promoting a positive image, and to encourage greater tolerance and acceptance of LGBTQ+ people. Forward & Out hosted
Read More

May 20, 2024 2:23 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Featured, Homepage, and Local History.
Tags: Forward & Out, Katharine Andriotis, LGBTQ+ history, and local history.

And Then They Came For Us Screening

And Then They Came For Us Screening

AAPI Month: And Then They Came For Us Documentary Screening & Discussion Thursday, May 18th, from 7:00–8:30 p.m. Location: Auditorium Register here. For Asian American Pacific Islander Month, we will show the documentary And Then They Came For Us, about the forced incarceration of Japanese Americans following the bombing of Pearl Harbor. And as guest speaker we will have Takeshi “Tak” Furumoto (pictured left), who lived in a Japanese internment camp in California and after the war moved to Hiroshima, where he saw the effects of the atom bomb.
Read More

May 13, 2023 11:09 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: AAPI Heritage Month, AAPI Month, Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Month, and Observances and Celebrations.

Local History: Ina Sugihara Jones

Local History: Ina Sugihara Jones

Ina Sugihara Jones was a Japanese American activist and multi-coalition builder who lived in White Plains from 1977 to her death in 2004. She was born in Las Animas, Colorado in 1919, and moved with her family to Long Beach, California in the 1930s. Educated at Long Beach Community College and the University of California, Berkeley, she was able to “voluntarily” migrate to the East Coast in 1942 and avoid internment in the War Relocation Authority Camps set up after the attack on Pearl Harbor. She was a founding member of the New York branch of the Congress of Racial
Read More

May 12, 2023 11:40 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Library News and Local History.
Tags: Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Month, Ina Sugihara Jones, Japanese American Citizens League, and local history.

Local History: Police Spying

Local History: Police Spying

Local and State Police Spying in the 1960s and 70s Thursday, May 4th, at 7:00 p.m. Zoom Click here to register. This program will address the hidden history of how state and local police contributed to the climate of political repression and surveillance during the Vietnam era. While it mainly focuses on state police surveillance of college activists and suspected “subversives,” it also details how local police in New Rochelle, Yonkers, and Mt. Vernon monitored social movements during the 1960s and 70s. Importantly, it also talks about how civil liberties groups and concerned citizens joined together to end political investigations
Read More

May 1, 2023 9:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: local history, Police spying, and Seth Kershner.

Edward Steinberg Photo

Edward Steinberg Photo

Edward C. Steinberg (1942-2018) worked for White Plains from 1970 to the mid-1990s in the Urban Renewal Agency and later as Commissioner of Planning. He helped build the Galleria, the Transportation Center, the Public Safety Building, the Westchester Mall, and the Federal Courthouse. He was also a photographer, and recently his widow donated three of his photographs to our local history collection. One is of the Transportation Center, one shows workers pouring cement, and the other the demolition of a building.  Part of the pouring cement photo is shown below (it doesn’t say what building it was for, unfortunately). Feel
Read More

January 24, 2023 10:59 am | by | 2 Comments
Categories: Featured, Homepage, and Local History.
Tags: local history and white plains collection.

English Conversation Group

English Conversation Group

English Conversation Group Thursdays 2:00–3:00 p.m. Community Room Our English Conversation group returns in February. The Library is offering adults who speak English as a second language the chance to meet and converse in English. This program is free and open to learners age 18 and up who want to improve their English conversation skills. Attendees are welcome and encouraged to bring conversation topics. Refreshments will be provided. No registration required. For more information, contact Austin at 914-422-6922. Grupo de conversación en inglés Los jueves a la 2:00 p.m. La Biblioteca Pública de White Plains ofrece a los adultos que
Read More

January 24, 2023 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Español, Events, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: english as a second language, English Conversation, english conversation group, and Grupo de conversación en inglés.

The Construction of the Kensico Dam

The Construction of the Kensico Dam

Tuesday, January 17th 2:00–4:00 p.m. Community Room Click here to register. James Maxwell, Historian at the Town of Mount Pleasant, will give a PowerPoint presentation on the building of the Kensico Dam. He will start with the original dam built in 1885, continue on to construction of the current one in the early 20th century, and end in the 1970s. The presentation's photos and postcards are from the Mount Pleasant Historical Society's collection as well as New York City's archives.
Read More

January 6, 2023 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: Kensico Dam, local history, and westchester history.

Genealogy: Leaving a Legacy

Genealogy: Leaving a Legacy

Genealogy: Leaving a Legacy: Telling your Ancestors So Your Family Will Listen Thursday, December 8th 7:00–8:00 p.m. Click here to register for this Zoom program. You have invested countless hours documenting your family tree. Now learn different techniques and methods to tell your ancestors’ stories so they will be passed down and enjoyed by future generations. Presented by Genealogist Sarah Gutmann.
Read More

November 22, 2022 1:30 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: genealogical research, genealogy, genealogy workshop, genealogy workshops in westchester, genealogy workshops in White Plains, local history, and Sarah Gutmann.

Daughters of America: Digest of the Day

Daughters of America: Digest of the Day

Recently a member of the local Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) chapter viewed the Local History Room’s file on the DAR.  She noted that the last item in the file belonged to the Daughters of America, not the DAR, and was curious what that group was. The item in question is a 36-page booklet called Digest of the Day, published in 1930 by the Daughters of America’s Martha Washington Council No. 8 in White Plains. According to The International Encyclopedia of Secret Societies and Fraternal Orders, the Daughters of America was “a female auxiliary to the Junior Order of
Read More

November 12, 2022 9:48 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Featured, Homepage, and Local History.
Tags: Daughters of America, local history, white plains collection, and white plains history.

Biography of a House

Biography of a House

“Who's Been Sleeping in My Bed?” Researching the Biography of a House Thursday, October 27th 7:00-8:00 p.m. Click here to register for this Zoom event. In this presentation, house historian Beth Potter will talk about ways to flesh out the “biography” of a house-not the history of the building per se, but the stories of the people who lived there. Who celebrated birthdays in the living room, what special recipes were created in the kitchen, were any residents in the military – those are just some of the questions that can be answered using newspaper records, church records, etc.
Read More

October 25, 2022 4:29 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: biography of a house, local history, local history events, and research.

“Boots on the Ground” Genealogy

“Boots on the Ground” Genealogy

Wednesday, September 21st 7:00–8:00 p.m. on Zoom Click here to register. So often people think they hit a brick wall if they can’t find what they're looking for on Ancestry or Family Search. But genealogist Sarah Gutmann will show you there is a world of records waiting to be discovered offline. Learn what is available, where to search, and who and how to ask.
Read More

September 6, 2022 8:06 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: genealogical research, genealogy, genealogy workshop, genealogy workshops in westchester, and genealogy workshops in White Plains.

DeVillo’s New Battle of White Plains Book

DeVillo’s New Battle of White Plains Book

A new book about the Battle of White Plains has come out: The Battle of White Plains: Washington and Howe in Westchester by Stephen Paul DeVillo. He is a local historian who has written books on the Bowery and the Bronx River. “I thought the Battle of White Plains deserves a much closer look,” he said in a telephone interview. “So often it’s given short shrift. It was not just a pit stop between the Fall of New York City and the Battle of Trenton.” The conventional view is that the British won the battle since they drove General George
Read More

July 26, 2022 5:40 pm | by | 2 Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Library News, and Local History.
Tags: Revolutionary War, The Battle of White Plains, white plains, and white plains history.

African American Genealogy with Dennis Richmond

African American Genealogy with Dennis Richmond

Thursday, June 9th at 7:00 p.m. Click here to register. Yonkers native Dennis Richmond, author of the memoir He Spoke at My School, will talk about the genealogical research he did for his family and provide tips for people on starting their own genealogy projects.   This program is made possible with support from the White Plains Library Foundation.
Read More

June 8, 2022 3:19 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: african american genealogy, ancestry, Dennis Richmond, genealogical research, genealogy, and research.

TONIGHT: Anti-Asian Hate

TONIGHT: Anti-Asian Hate

Thursday, May 19th, 7:00–8:00 p.m. Click here for the Zoom link. A discussion of past Anti-Asian sentiment in this county up to the present, the causes, and how we can promote understanding. Presenters: William Kaung, Vice President of Advocacy at OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates, Westchester & Hudson Valley Chapter and Tejash V. Sanchala (he/him/his), Executive Director, Westchester County Human Rights Commission
Read More

May 18, 2022 9:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Uncategorized.
Tags: aapi hate, anti-asian hate, Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, history, and Observances and Celebrations.

Political Redistricting

Political Redistricting

Monday, May 9th, 7:00–8:00 p.m. Click here to register. Every ten years, states redraw their political maps to reflect population changes based on Census data. But often the newly formed districts reflect racial or partisan gerrymandering that strengthen some groups at the expense of others. This program will discuss how to ensure that redistricting allows for equal representation. Presented by David Imamura, Chair of NYS Redistricting Commission and Co-Chair of the Westchester Asian American Advisory Board and William Kaung, Vice President of Advocacy at OCA (Organization of Chinese Americans) Westchester & Hudson Valley.
Read More

May 6, 2022 10:00 am | by | 2 Comments
Categories: Uncategorized.
Tags: history, political redistricting, political science, politics, and white plains.

Photos wanted: Winbrook, WP malls

Photos wanted: Winbrook, WP malls

Two of the original five buildings in the Winbrook apartments (now officially called Brookfield Commons) have been razed and replaced. The three still in use will eventually meet the same fate. The White Plains Mall will be leveled and replaced by a large residential and retail development called Hamilton Green. And the Galleria Mall, which lost its anchor stores when Sears and Macy’s closed, may be demolished whole or in part for a redevelopment that would dramatically change its appearance. As these buildings which were once fixtures in downtown White Plains disappear, we would like to keep a visual record
Read More

May 3, 2022 5:11 pm | by | 1 Comment
Categories: Featured, Homepage, Library News, and Local History.
Tags: history of White Plains, local history, White Plains Galleria, White Plains local history, White Plains mall, white plains new york, and winbrook.

4/26: Virtual Trip to Japan

4/26: Virtual Trip to Japan

Virtual Trip to Japan: Local Cuisines and Destinations Tuesday, April 26th, 7:00–8:00 p.m. Click here for the Zoom link. Join our one-hour webinar to find out what eastern Japan is like. We will introduce several prefectures from different regions of eastern Japan. We will cover beautiful tourist attractions, regional cultural festivals, and local cuisines both historical and modern. For example, did you know that the tradition of mochi is 400 years old and its dishes have around 300 variations? Come join us to discover a region with a great mix of urban life and nature! This program is supported by
Read More

April 24, 2022 1:38 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: adult events, adult programs, Explore Japanese culture, Japan, and japanese food.

Genealogy: the 1950 Census

Genealogy: the 1950 Census

Genealogy: What to Expect from the 1950 Census Tuesday, March 15th 7:00–8:00 p.m. Click here to register. Presented by Alan Steinfeld. After 72 years, the 1950 Census will be made public on April 1st. Come find out why this is a big deal for historians, genealogists, sociologists and the like. This presentation will address these and other questions: What questions did they ask? Why did they keep it private for 72 years? Am I in it and how do I find out? Why do we have a census anyway? This program is made possible with support from the White Plains
Read More

March 8, 2022 3:41 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: census records, genealogy, and Irish heritage.

Remembering Jesse Murry

Remembering Jesse Murry

Jesse Murry was a Black, gay art critic, curator and painter. He was born in 1948 in North Carolina and later moved to nearby Greenburgh to live with an aunt. As a youth he spent a lot of time reading at the White Plains Public Library and became friends with the director, Isabel Duncan Clark, who ended up becoming his legal guardian. He studied at Sarah Lawrence College and lived in a White Plains apartment in the 1970s before moving to New York City in 1979. In the last 14 years of his life he wrote for Arts Magazine, taught
Read More

December 8, 2021 11:18 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage, Library News, and Local History.
Tags: Jesse Murry, library history, local history, and White Plains Public Library.

Explore Japanese Culture: Fall Harvest

Explore Japanese Culture: Fall Harvest

Explore Japanese Culture – Food Series Harvest time – Fall delicacies of Japan Wednesday, October 27th, 7:00–8:00 p.m. Click here for the zoom link. Did you know that Washoku (Japanese traditional cuisine) is registered as an intangible cultural heritage under UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) ? Japanese cuisine and culture reflect the appreciation for the beauty of nature. Japan has four seasons and there are many festivals and cultural events throughout the year. Japanese people often celebrate these events by getting together and enjoying meals using seasonal ingredients. In this webinar, we will explore the cultural events
Read More

October 27, 2021 1:28 pm | by | 2 Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: cooking, cuisine, events, Explore Japanese culture, and food.