Third in the series: Michael Kalesti of Kent on Mid-Century Modern
Monday, January 23, 2012
by Susan Blumenfeld

Uncover your hidden treasures!  Join us at the last of the New Castle Historical Society’s popular annual Antiques Lecture & Appraisal Series on Tuesday, January 24, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at the Chappaqua Library.  Always an exciting event, the series provides the community with the unique opportunity to have their suspected treasures appraised by experts in their respective fields.

Monday, November 28, 2011
by Philip L. Hayes

It’s interesting to see what the local paper, “The Mount Kisco Recorder,” believed were its readers’ interests 120 years ago.  The talk is all about the shoe factory and apple orchards.

See The Siding menu in “Read more…”
June 17, 2011
by N. O’Neil

1972:  The Siding opens in the abandoned paper twine factory along side the railroad.

With a restaurant, bar, live music and a dance floor it is immediately The Place To Be.  The drinking age is 18, and it becomes a favorite high school hangout, but families love it too.  Sadly, though popular, it closed its doors by the end of the decade.  Is there a swingin’ hot spot in Chappaqua today, or is there just an app for that?

Monday, May 9, 2011
by Victoria Gutfreund

For the New Castle Historical Society’s Ninth Annual House Tour next Thursday, May 19, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. we’re showcasing five fantastic homes in a wide and wonderful range of architectural styles, each one entirely special and sure to delight.  We’ll feature houses dating from the early 1900’s (including a Federal Revival, once home to a convent chaplain) to a 1982 contemporary inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright.  All five have been updated and lovingly restored.

April 29, 2011
by Victoria Gutfreund

You’re here to start a History Hunt
We hope you win a prize.
You’ll read some clues, wear out your shoes,
But always use your eyes.
This first clue takes you where they cooked,
So go downstairs and take a look…

And so begins the “Horace Greeley History Hunt.”  Are you a treasure hunter at heart?  Do you love to solve riddles and puzzles?  What about unlocking codes?  And how about geo-caching?

February 11, 2011
by Gabrielle Greeley Clendenin

Editor’s note:  Following is a little anecdote of her father’s that Horace Greeley’s daughter, Gabrielle Greeley Clendenin, remembered from her youth.  It is taken from “Proceedings at the Unveiling of a Memorial to Horace Greeley at Chappaqua, N.Y. February 3, 1914.  A Personal Impression of Horace Greeley.”

Photo courtesy of the New Castle Historical Society
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
by N. O’Neil

1872: Horace Greeley runs for president against the popular Ulysses S. Grant.

The old library is now the Community Center. Photo courtesy of the New Castle Historical Society
December 10, 2010
by N. O’Neil

1978: The new Chappaqua Library opens with comfortable reading areas, an auditorium and all the amenities of modern library design.  Some patrons miss the cozy charm of the old library’s stacks.

In “Read more,” find larger photo to print as a discount coupon for the show.
November 5, 2010
by Karen Payes

It’s that time of year again: The frost is on the pumpkin, Chappaqua looks picture perfect in its fall finery, and one of the most highly anticipated antique shows in the Northeast, the Chappaqua Antiques Show is this weekend, November 6 and 7, 2010, at Westorchard Elementary School.

Photos courtesy of the New Castle Historical Society; see enlarged photos in “Read more”
Monday, October 25
by N. O’Neil

1905: A dramatic train accident takes place at the Chappaqua train station.  Fortunately, there were no fatalities.  The cause of the accident is not clear, but a witness claims to have seen some kid put a penny on the track.

October 15, 2010
by Nancy O’Neil

In 1889 William Van Duzer Lawrence purchased a large parcel of land near the Bronxville railroad station and began to create a suburb. As they came of age, his sons joined him in his real estate business and over time the family created modern Bronxville. The extent of the Lawrence influence is memorialized by Lawrence Hospital and Sarah Lawrence College, named for the patriarch’s wife.

Monday, October 4, 2010
by Nancy O’Neil

Who was Horace Greeley?  The Greeley name is everywhere: Greeley Avenue, Greeley Barber Shop, Greeley Taxi & Limousine Service, . . . and, of course, Horace Greeley High School. It is almost as generic as Kleenex (well, here in New Castle anyway.)  In an unusual confluence of events, two publications have recently been produced right here in Chappaqua that tell us more about this great man.  One is an introduction to Horace Greeley for high school and middle school students and the other an introduction for the post-toddler demographic.

Great Moments in Chappaqua History

Front page and inside photos provided courtesy of the New Castle Historical Society
August 20, 2010
by N. O’Neil

1904 A tornado rips through Chappaqua, touching ground near the Dodge farm.  Destruction included many trees, livestock and farm buildings, but fortunately, there were no fatalities.  Survivors describe looking out their windows and seeing chickens flying through the air. Since then the town has been spared cyclonic turbulence, except for joint town and school board meetings.

July 16, 2010
by N. O’Neil

1870:  The Chappaqua Mountain Institute opens.  A Quaker boarding school, it drew students locally and from other nearby towns. The school closed in 1908 and the property was sold to The Children’s Aid Society, which operated it as a convalescent home for city children with tuberculosis.

May 14, 2010

The New Castle Historical Society proudly announces its 8th annual “Castles of New Castle” house tour to be held Thursday, May 20. The Historical Society will showcase a variety of beautiful area homes that vary in size, location, style and year of construction.