Join Us for the Premiere of "The Village: The History of Downtown Scarsdale"

The Scarsdale Historical Society will be premiering its newest documentary, The Village: A History of Downtown Scarsdale, at the Scarsdale Public Library on Tuesday, May 14th at 6:15 PM and 7:30 PM. The half-hour film explores how Scarsdale’s business district grew from a humble train depot and a few wooden buildings to the iconic Tudor-style commercial center we have today. 

The Village will take viewers on a journey spanning more than 200 years, beginning with a colonial-era mill on the Bronx River. Archival photographs capture the development of Scarsdale’s earliest businesses and “downtown” streets, when horses clip-clopped on dusty roads. The film chronicles the factors that contributed to Scarsdale’s suburbanization, and the prominent, community-minded residents that developed the business district that still stands today. 

Following the screening there will be a Q&A with the film’s participants: village historians Jordan Copeland and Leslie Chang, filmmaker Lesley Topping and Peter Blier from Scarsdale Central Taxi.

This half- hour documentary is directed and edited by local filmmaker Lesley Topping. It is part of an ongoing series from the Scarsdale Historical Society on the history and neighborhoods of Scarsdale. All the previous films can be viewed at https://www.scarsdalehistoricalsociety.org/videos.

Admission to the film is free. The event is sponsored by the Scarsdale Historical Society, the Scarsdale Public Library and the Scarsdale Business Alliance. 

Register below:

6:15 PM Screening

7:30 PM Screening

Watch the Newly Digitized Film, “Scarsdale in World War II”

Scarsdale in World War II, created and released by residents in 1946, chronicles how Scarsdalians united and rallied in support of the war effort in the 1940s. It was produced and screened as part of a fundraising campaign for Jewish refugee children.

The original 16mm film was found in storage at the Scarsdale Public Library, and all 1,200 feet of film has been digitized and preserved by the Scarsdale Historical Society. This historic treasure presents a stunning, visual testimony of Scarsdale life in the 1940’s. The footage captures Scarsdale’s landmarks as they appeared almost 80 years ago, including the only-known footage of some sites that no longer exist.

Proceeds from the screening of this film went to a national interfaith organization named “Children to Palestine.” The meaning behind this name requires some explanation, as it could cause some confusion in today’s context. When Jewish children were orphaned and displaced during the Holocaust, one of the few options for resettling them was the area then known as Palestine - before Israel became a nation in 1948. Moved by the plight of Jewish children, Scarsdale residents of all backgrounds united to rescue them from the “land of persecution” and bring them to a “Land of Promise.” 

The Scarsdale branch of “Children to Palestine” was founded by two Scarsdale residents: Dorothy Silverstone (of 6 Richbell Close) and Susan Bennett (or 10 Elmdorf Drive). A Junior Committee was formed, and they sponsored the making of this film with the support of Dorothy Silverstone’s husband, Murray Silverstone, who was the President of 20th Century Fox. They were a very philanthropic couple, and it’s worth noting that with all of Murray’s accomplishments in the movie industry, this film was named in his obituary as one of his proud accomplishments. 

We conducted some historical research and detective work to identify some of the film locations and prominent residents, and provided this information in captions to help the audience connect and better understand the film. We have a terrific community on Facebook and Instagram that helped us with the detective work.

The film was produced by stage producer Julian Olney and narrated by renowned broadcaster Lowell Thomas. 

Other than the captions, the film is presented as originally created. It contains language which may cause offense.

The original film reel has a strong aroma of vinegar, a sign of film degradation. We are fortunate that is was digitized when it was.

Recording of "How Scarsdale Became Scarsdale" Now Online

Scarsdale Village Historian Jordan Copeland explores the far-sighted decisions, community institutions, and unusual circumstances that transformed Scarsdale from a sparsely populated farming area to a prominent, sought-after suburb.

Originally presented on November 29, 2023 at an event by the Scarsdale Historical Society and sponsored by the Scarsdale Library. 

Watch now at here.

Watch the Road to Heathcote and the Forgotten Railway

Discover the origins of the Heathcote neighborhood and the abandoned remains of the New York, Westchester & Boston Railway (NYW&B) that had stations throughout Westchester including one at Five Corners in Scarsdale. Topping takes viewers inside iconic buildings at Five Corners, Scarsdale Congregational Church, Heathcote School and more. Featuring local historians and residents including Randy Guggenheimer, Jordan Copeland, Leslie Chang, Michael Zeller, Eliot Goldfinger and others. Produced by the Scarsdale Historical Society, directed and edited by Lesley Topping. A video of the Q&A that took place after the film premiered is here.

Heathcote's Forgotten Railway Exhibit On View Fall 2023 at Scarsdale Public Library

The “Heathcote’s Forgotten Railway” exhibit features archival photographs and artifacts from the New York, Westchester, & Boston Railway (NYW&B) that stopped in Heathcote from 1912 to 1937. It traces the spectacular rise and slow demise of the railway with particular attention to its roots in Scarsdale. Scarsdale Historical Society member Michael Zeller has loaned pieces from his collection for the exhibit. It will be on view at the Scarsdale Public Library in the Local History Center through the end of December 2023.

This exhibit coincides with our new documentary, The Road to Heathcote and the Forgotten Railway.

Artifacts include a model NYW&B train, maps, original Heathcote Station tickets and even a conductor’s jacket button.

Film Premiere of The Road to Heathcote and the Forgotten Railway

Join us for the premiere of our newest film, The Road to Heathcote and the Forgotten Railway. It explores the unusual origins of the Heathcote neighborhood and tours the last vestiges of Westchester’s ‘Million Dollar A Mile Railroad’ that made stops at the Heathcote Train Station at Five Corners from 1912 to 1937.

Film Premiere of The Road to Heathcote and the Forgotten Railway
Wednesday, November 1st
Two screenings at 6:15 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Scarsdale Public Library

Q&A Session to Follow
RSVP is requested. Admission is free. There will be a Q&A panel with local historians, filmmakers, residents and railroad enthusiasts.

This half hour documentary is directed and edited by local filmmaker, Lesley Topping. The event is co-sponsored by the Scarsdale Historical Society and the Scarsdale Public Library.

• RSVP for 6:15 p.m. screening here

• RSVP for 7:30 p.m. screening here.

Other Films
This film is part of an ongoing series from the Scarsdale Historical Society on the history and neighborhoods of Scarsdale. All the previous films can be viewed here.