Upcoming Presentation: Scarsdale's Revolutionary Transition

Scarsdale’s Revolutionary Transition: From Colonial Manor to American Town
March 16th at 6:45 PM
The Scott Room at Scarsdale Public Library OR Live Virtual

Join us for a presentation from Scarsdale Village Historian and Vice President of the Scarsdale Historical Society, Jordan Copeland. He’ll examine Scarsdale’s transformation from a colonial manor to an American town in the aftermath of the Revolution. It explains what it meant to live under the manor system, how Scarsdale was governed before independence, and what changed when that structure gave way to town government. Drawing on surviving records from the 1700s, the talk explores what we know about daily life in Scarsdale, including what mattered most to its residents, how authority was exercised, and how early residents contributed to the creation of a community.

School History Documentary Screening Recap – The Film Is Now Online

The Scarsdale community really knows how to “show up.” Around 200 alumni, neighbors and friends came together for a rare opportunity to celebrate our public school district on Wednesday night at the high school auditorium. As conveyed in our new film From the First Schoolhouse: A Scarsdale Story, this community-minded spirit is what has helped the Scarsdale Schools thrive. 

Left to right: William Klayer ‘73, Tony Arenella, Ruth Friendly, Scarsdale Historical Society President Randy Guggenheimer, filmmaker Lesley Topping and trustees Lori Rothman, Deidre Michael, Leslie Chang.

From a beloved centenarian educator, to a founder of the Scarsdale Alternative School, to an original Alternative School alum, we had true Scarsdale Schools legends in the high school auditorium. They are featured participants in the documentary, and here’s more background on them:

Ruth Friendly

Ruth taught at Greenacres, Heathcote, and Edgewood from the 1960s through the early 1980s. After teaching, she joined her husband Fred, the former president of CBS News and the Edward R. Murrow Professor Emeritus at Columbia University, to produce programming for the Media and Society Seminars, later known as the Fred Friendly Seminars. The programs aired nationally on PBS and explored major issues of our time. In the 2000s Ruth served for eight years on the New York State Commission of Nomination for the Court of Appeals.

Tony Arenella and William Klayer

Tony Arenella was one of the founders of the Scarsdale Alternative School (A-School), which was planned in 1970. Tony taught English, and then became the director of the A-School in 1981 until he retired in 2003. Beginning with only sixty-two students, three full-time teachers, and several part-time teachers, the early team developed the groundbreaking philosophies and structures that still shape the A-School today.

William Klayer was one of the first students to graduate from the A-School in 1973, and went on to build a distinguished career in television and film as a director and photographer. His extensive credits include 30 Rock, Suits, Law & Order, and the award-winning short film Under a Stone.

We are so grateful to the filmmaker Lesley Topping for creating this film. Through her documentaries, she skillfully preserves Scarsdale’s most important stories—and they’re all available here.

Lesley Topping

Lesley, a Scarsdale Schools alum, is the editor and director of the film. Her credits also include many short videos, feature films and television documentaries for CBS, A&E and the Cousteau Society.

Thank you to Scarsdale Public Library for the partnership and for co-sponsoring the event. Don’t miss their new exhibit on the Scarsdale Public Schools, created by the library’s Local History Librarian Dan Glauber. It’s on display in the Local History Center of the library, or online here.

We also thank Scarsdale Public Schools Superintendent Drew Patrick for his support throughout the production of this film. His opening remarks added a moment of extra distinction to the event.

Scarsdale Public Schools Superintendent Drew Patrick introduced the film.

The audience was very engaged during the Q&A Session, especially all of the alumni that shared stories from their school days.

At the panel discussion, left to right: Dan, Leslie, Lesley, and William. Tony and Ruth answered questions from their seats in the audience. 

Scarsdale Historical Society trustees greeting attendees, from left to right: Lori, May Cowan, Lesley Shearer, and Leslie

The event drew a crowd of all ages, and alumni enjoyed seeing the newly renovated auditorium.

“From the First Schoolhouse: A Scarsdale Story”

Watch Now: A 185-Year Old Mystery Explained

There’s a puzzling inconsistency in the 1840 census that shows a dramatic decline in the Scarsdale population. Was there a mass exodus, or is there another explanation? Our Vice President and Scarsdale Village Historian, Jordan Copeland reveals the truth behind the mystery. Watch below.

Recorded from a presentation co-sponsored by Scarsdale Public Library, on March 5, 2025.

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.

Colonial Day Event

The Friends of Odell House Rochambeau Headquarters and the Town of Greenburgh are hosting Colonial Day in Hart’s Brook Park & Preserve.

Come see what life was like during the 1781 Encampment of American and French troops in Greenburgh!

• Tour Washington’s Revolutionary War Tents & Encampment, guided by historic interpreters from Philadelphia’s acclaimed Museum of the American Revolution.

• Meet George Washington, Le Comte de Rochambeau, and Ben Franklin.

• See military marching and drills by re-enactors of the 5th New York Regiment and Hearts of Oak.

• Toys, games, and activities for kids; demonstrations of Colonial cooking, wool spinning, blacksmithing, and more!

• Learn about the role Odell House Rochambeau Headquarters played in the encampment and how this historic site is being restored.

242 years ago, in the summer of 1781, the Continental Army under the command of George Washington and the French Army under the command of Le Comte de Rochambeau, marched into Greenburgh with 9,000 soldiers and camped for six weeks. Rochambeau stayed at the Odell House and it was there that the two generals made a crucial decision that resulted in the final victory that won the Revolutionary War.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 10 A.M. TO 4 P.M.
Rain Date: Sunday, October 1, 10 a.m to 4 p.m.

• Admission is $10 for ages 13+; $5 for ages 3-12 and active service members/veterans (with ID). Children under 3 are free.

• Pay when you park with cash, check or Visa, MasterCard and Discover cards. No electronic payments.

• Hart’s Brook Park & Preserve, 156 Ridge Road, Hartsdale, N.Y.

• Parking at Ridge Road Park, 287 Ridge Road, Hartsdale, N.Y. Free shuttle bus service to the nearby event. Handicap parking available at the Hart’s Brook Park site.

This event is brought to you by Friends of Odell House Rochambeau Headquarters and the Town of Greenburgh. It is part of the Hudson River Valley Ramble, an event series that celebrates the history, culture, and natural resources of the Hudson River Valley.

Funding provided by Friends of Odell House Rochambeau Headquarters, Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area, Town of Greenburgh and Westchester County.