Archives for history

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
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Categories: Uncategorized.

Harriet Tubman: Union Scout, Spy and Freedom Fighter

Tuesday, May 10th, 7:00 p.m. (virtual) Click here to register. Well known for her Underground Railroad activities leading enslaved people to Freedom, Tubman also served as a valuable scout, spy and fighter for the Union Army. Cultural historian John Vorperian will discuss the rarely shared stories of Tubman's successful military exploits in disrupting Confederate outposts and supply lines during the Civil War. This program is supported by the White Plains Library Foundation.
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Categories: Library News.

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.
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Categories: Uncategorized.

Presentation on Coach Vince Lombardi

TOLERANCE: Coach Vince Lombardi's Winning Formula Sunday, June 20th 2:00–3:00 p.m. Click here to register. One of the greatest coaches in pro football, Vince Lombardi's leadership skills resulted in ten winning seasons and five championships. The Super Bowl trophy is appropriately named after him. His management keys of diversity, tolerance and attacking bigotry proved well in Green Bay. Lombardi broke down barriers for athletes of color in Wisconsin's NFL outpost. It should be no surprise Lombardi employed the same successful tactics in changing the Washington Football Team's culture for gay players. John Vorperian, a published sports historian & host of
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Categories: Library News.

May Genealogy Events

Getting the Most Out of Your Ancestry.com DNA Results Monday, May 17th 7:00–8:00 p.m. Click here for the zoom link. DNA test results offer so much more than just finding out your ethnicity percentage. Gain a greater understanding of how you inherit you DNA and the difference between your genetic family tree vs your genealogical family tree. Find out how to analyze DNA matches and explore the benefits of Ancestry.com Thrulines. Presented by Sarah Gutmann. A Rosenberg is a Rosen is a Rose: How and Why Our Ancestors Changed their Names Monday, May 24th 7:00–8:00 p.m. Click here to register.
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Categories: Library News.

Black History Month StoryWalk: Mamie on the Mound

The Trove’s 2021 Black History StoryWalk Mamie on the Mound: A Woman in Baseball’s Negro Leagues By Leah Henderson Illustrated by George Doutsiopoulos Starting January 28th, 2021 Get ready to step back in time as you take a walk along Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and the Library Plaza. Follow the panels and read Mamie on the Mound by Leah Henderson and illustrated by George Doutsiopoulos.  The StoryWalk is up and ready to view on the Library's windows through 2/23. Mamie on the Mound tells the real-life story of Mamie “Peanut” Johnson who did not let her “two strikes”
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Categories: Authors & Books, Events, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.

Learn about Ancient Egypt!

Museums with Marisa will take you back in time to Ancient Egypt for a fun and fact-filled series of archaeological explorations! Note: a free registered Zoom account is required to access the Library’s youth programs. Get a Zoom account here. The Great Pyramids and the Giza Plateau Tuesday, February 16 at 3:30 p.m. Grades 1-6, Teens Access the program here Learn about the history and archaeology of one of Ancient Egypt’s most well-known sites, The Pyramids of Giza. What’s Up, King Tut? Wednesday, February 17 at 3:30 p.m. Grades 1-6, Teens Access the program here Learn about that most famous
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Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.

Local History: House History

Discovering the history of houses or apartment buildings is one of the best uses of the White Plains Collection. Whether it's discovering architectural changes or getting to know your historical predecessors, you are sure to come away with some stories. Below are some of the resources in the White Plains Collection that can help you learn the story behind your home. Real Estate Record: Published by the Westchester Record Company, the digitized version of the Record we have runs from 1905 to 1931. It is composed of listings of real estate transactions, short articles on building and development news, and
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Categories: Local History.

Local History: Woman’s Club Trolley Tour

Welcome to the White Plains Public Library's local history blog. While the library is undergoing renovations and we are unable to host as many in-person local history programs in the library, this blog will be the place to learn about White Plains history and discover interesting items from the White Plains Collection. Of course, you can still contact me to set up research appointments! I want to use this post to highlight a creative and well-researched project put together by two White Plains residents, Woman's Club of White Plains Past-President Mary Ann Boustead and Publicity Chairperson Colleen Fay. To commemorate
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Categories: Local History.

People & Stories Oral History Project: Teddy Lee, Jr.

Theodore Jay Lee, Jr., better known as Teddy, is the owner of Lee's Funeral Home and a lifelong resident of White Plains. His father, Theodore Jay Lee, Sr., migrated north from Virginia, became a licensed undertaker, and began working in Westchester County. In the late 1920s, Lee Sr. moved to White Plains and opened a funeral home at 57 Brookfield Street. Lee remembers the pride and integrity with which his father operated the business, helping people with personal problems or their taxes in addition to funeral arrangements. Lee vividly recalls life for children in downtown White Plains during the 1930s
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Categories: Local History and Oral History.

People & Stories Oral History Project: John Kirkpatrick

As a city planner, lawyer, and common council member, John Kirkpatrick has a studied perspective on the City of White Plains. Originally from Alabama, Kirkpatrick remembers deciding to live in White Plains with his wife because they were attracted by the “ferment in culture” the diverse population creates. Always an active citizen, Kirkpatrick contributed to city comprehensive plans and continues to pay attention to the (sometimes small, sometimes big) details that ensure the development of White Plains creates a warm, accessible, pedestrian-friendly environment. With his nuanced perspective on the past, civic engagement in the present, and informed vision for the
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Categories: Local History and Oral History.

People & Stories Oral History Project: Brian Wallach

In the first oral history recorded for People & Stories, consummate storyteller and long-time White Plains resident Brian Wallach shares his memories and perspective.  This oral history was recorded at the offices of the Brian Wallach Agency. Wallach grew up just south of the city line in Scarsdale and remembered his mother's work in the real estate business in that area- including a story about her most famous client, Al Jolson.  He also spoke about changes in White Plains' physical and social landscape during his lifetime.  As a founding member of White Plains Beautification Foundation, much of Wallach's service to
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Categories: Local History and Oral History.

Out of the Swamps: A History of 100 Martine Ave.

Join us on Sunday, May 17, at 2:00 p.m. for Out of the Swamps: A History of Downtown White Plains Told Through 100 Martine. The Friends of the White Plains Public Library have partnered with the Librarian for White Plains History and the City Archivist to present a program filled with stories, photographs, and maps that will enrich your perspective on White Plains. This program is presented in memory of Kay Conroy. 100 Martine hasn't always been the site of the public library, nor has it always been 100 Martine Avenue! Before White Plains was settled by Europeans, the Weckweeskeck
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Categories: Events, Featured, and Library News.