The Huntington Free Library and Reading Room is pleased to announce The East Bronx History Forum will hold its 118th meeting on Wednesday, February 15th. at 7:30 pm. The East Bronx History Forum meets to discuss Bronx History and held its first meeting June 2005.
Last month, President Richard Vitacco and Vice President Tom Vasti presented a tour of the Morris Park Racetrack which was later developed into the residential neighborhood we know today as Morris Park. They touched on the story of the closing of the Jerome Park Racetrack and how the expansion of the Croton Aqueduct system led to Morris Park. Now, you will hear the rest of the story.
Anne Marie Garti, during the past two decades, has been using her talents as an attorney, environmentalist and historian to advocate for the return of the Jerome Reservoir, back to the original plan of the Jerome Park Reservoir. In other words, she wants to put the Park back into the Jerome Reservoir with her presentation “The Historic Jerome Park Reservoir”. Ms. Garti has used her research talents to uncover historic maps and images of the Jerome Park Reservoir to secure agreements from the Department of Environmental Protection to allow public access to this wonderful resource. The D.E.P. and various other agencies have continued to restrict the public, but at least full access is beginning with two days per year.
The great fire in New York City of 1835, led to construction in 1837 of the High Bridge and Croton Aqueduct system. The High Bridge which recently reopened to the public as well as the Jerome Reservoir are land-marked. Ms. Garti is also president of the Jerome Park Conservancy, which submitted the landmarked application in 1998 for the Reservoir. There has been a lot of drama in the past 180 years, but be sure to find out what is currently going on at this important presentation. There will also be vote – “City Gin” or “Croton Cocktail”.
All meetings are free and open to the public at The Huntington Free Library and Reading Room, located next to Apple Bank at 9 Westchester Square Bronx, NY. Parking is free after 7 pm.
Please view the East Bronx History Forum web page at BronxNYC.com for details, follow us on Facebook
and join us Wednesday February 15th at 7:30 p.m.
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