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| Tappantown Historical Society |
THS Annual Report 2008
Good evening. Welcome to the 43rd Annual Meeting of the Tappantown Historical Society. I am Carol LaValle, and as president, I am
here to give the Annual Report for 2008. Quite a lot has been accomplished by a dedicated core of members and volunteers. I would
like to thank especially the members of the board during my first year as president for their diligence in attending monthly meetings,
in giving sound advice , and for their vigilance in adhering to the Society’s mission of education, preservation, and protection of the
community’s heritage. They are officers Jackie Shatz, first VP; Lucille Starink, 2nd VP; Chris Gremski, Corresponding Secretary; Pam
Peters, Recording Secretary; Geri McCauley, Treasurer; and board members John Morton, Susan Gewirtz, Sally Dewey, Ginny
McCarthy, Keith Walker, and Joe Napoli.
First, to review our major activities: the Awards Dinner, The Plant Sale, the Concert in the Park, and Colonial Day. On the stormy
evening of Feb 22 at the Annual Awards Dinner at the ‘76 House, we recognized Pam and Joe Printz for their renovation and
restoration of their 1890 Victorian on Andre Hill, Heidi and Alan Boucher for the restoration of their Greek Revival House at 34 Oak
Tree Rd, and Catherine Dodge, who received the rarely given Fellowship Award for a lifetime of service to the community. Thank you
Peter Schuerholz and Ginny McCarthy for your work on the Awards Committee and thank you to Edna Nitopi for arranging the menu
with Rob Norden.
After a few rainy days, the sun shown for the 40th Annual Plant Sale on May 10, with its array of perennials, herbs, and shrubs from
members’ gardens; annuals, baskets, and vegetables from Stokes Farms in Old Tappan; jams and jellies by Ginny McCarthy and
Geri McCauley, and baked goods by Edna Nitopi. We are particularly grateful to master gardeners Winifred Strakosch and Lois Reid
and to the many volunteers who helped with setting and cleaning up, watering plants and manning the tables; to the 15 local
business who donated prizes for the raffle, and to the Tappan Reformed Church for the use of their beautiful tree-shaded lawn
across from the Post Office.
Weather foiled our two other events: The 4th Annual American Roots Festival on June 14 organized by John Morton and co-
sponsored with the Tappan Library. It featured the folk tunes of Jaybird. Thank you to this intrepid trio of Bob Jones on fiddle and
bass, Sam Zygmuntowicz on mandolin and guitar, and Jody Kruskal on concertina. They played to a small but appreciative audience
in the Tappan Memorial Park as thunder rumbled, rain swept in, and distant flashes of lightening brought an early end to the
afternoon. For the first time in 24 years, Colonial Day, Sept. 27 and its rain date, the 28th, were completely washed out,
disappointing the many demonstrators, volunteers, and enthusiastic supporters, especially children –one of whom says that
Colonial Day is “better than Disney World.” It was a wise decision to cancel both days made by Colonial Day chairs Lucille Starink
and Geri McCauley in consultation with Harold Jones, Superintendent of the DeWint property. Rain began on Thursday and
continued on and off through the weekend. The grounds never dried out to allow for the intense traffic of the Colonial Day activities.
Still, we hope the months of preparation and the expenses incurred will see us through Colonial Day in 2009.
Some projects have come to fruition: a survey of business owners in Tappan and a report on their parking needs by Tom LaValle,
John Morton, and June Starke influenced the Town Council’s decision that there will be no parking in the triangle between the Green
and the Reformed Church. Thus, a year-long controversy was settled in favor of preserving the historic and aesthetic value of the
Green. Also, the value of the Society’s archives has been appraised with an eye toward future restoration of the 1704 Division Patent
and the Bogert family collection of 18th and 19th century documents. The Gaeta Collection of prints relating to Major John Andre has
been beautifully rematted and reframed with archival materials by Orangetown Town Historian and Director of the Orangetown
Museum Mary Cardenas and curator Elisabeth Skrabonja. By the way, some of these prints can be seen in the exhibit A Spy in Our
Midst opening this weekend at the Salyer House on Blue Hill Road in Pearl River. Thank you Mary and Elizabeth for your careful
attention to the historic and aesthetic values in your preservation of these prints.
Continuing our goal of cooperating with other town institutions, The Library Committee consisting of Tom LaValle, John Morton,
Marilyn Schauder, Geri McCauley and myself visited several libraries in the area that house historic materials in order to see how
THS and the Tappan Library might collaborate on a room in the library that would contain the Society’s materials. The committee
has made seven recommendations about the ideal characteristics of a such a space and hope to meet with the library board to
discuss plans for the Stable.
In a similar spirit of collaboration, Thano Schoppel, John Morton, Jackie Shatz, Alexis Starke, Walter Aurell, who is an architect with
Colgan, Perry, Lawler, and Aurell, who have bought Molly Samett’s place ( the Bartow House), met with Reverend Hoover of the
Reformed Church and Jim Dean, Orangetown Superintendent of Highways, to discuss the Town’s drainage plans for the area in
front of the church and along Kings Highway. Plans are not final on this project, but our suggestions were taken seriously and Jim
Dean told me today that we will be in on the decisions re; curbs, sidewalks, trees, and plantings.
Speaking of trees and plantings: THS hopes to collaborate with the Reformed Church and the library in adopting the small, scruffy
triangle at the intersection of Greenbush and Kings Highway. Joe Napoli has agreed to look into suitable plantings for the spot.
Also, John Morton met with arborist Paul Cowie, whom THS hired to give an independent assessment of the vulnerable Norway
Maple in front of the church. He gave a thorough evaluation of the tree and made recommendations for its protection and eventual
replacement. His report has been passed on to the town council, Jim Dean, and the Church.
Board Member and architect Keith Walker helps with our preservation efforts by attending the monthly HABOR meetings to represent
our concerns that building plans are applied in accordance with historic district law. Thank you, Keith.
Two of our enduring projects under Sally Dewey’s stewardship are the Thrift Shop in Piermont and the guided walking tours of
Tappan. Sally, along with volunteers Jackie Shatz, Ginny McCarthy, Winifred Strakosch, and Lani Turner put in hundreds of hours for
the benefit of the society. Oddly enough, in a time that calls for thrift, business is off at the Thrift Shop despite an abundance of high
quality donations.
Walking tour requests from elementary school classes and adult groups are fielded by Sally, who schedules our enthusiastic and
knowledgeable guides Janet Galloway, Peter Schuerholz, and Thano Schoppel. Kathy and Harold Jones here at the DeWint House
are especially helpful with the tours. Another aspect of our educational mission is the awarding of a $500.00 scholarship to a
graduating senior who has shown a proficiency in American history. This year’s recipient was Rainier Rondina, who is now
attending St. Thomas Aquinas College in Sparkill.
Inevitably, THS has been drawn into two controversial issues in the community and has taken a public stand in opposing these two
proposals: one, the sale of Oak Tree Park by the South Orangetown School Board and the other, the proposed O & R substation
planned for Oak Tree Rd. While neither parcel is in the historic district, THS supports the community in preserving valuable open
space, park and recreation facilities, and sensitive wetlands. Our letters have been printed in Our Town and in our newsletter, and
sent to every conceivable public official and business interest.
Other contributions to THS’s efforts include Marilyn Schauder’s excellent article “Trees of Tappan,” for the April special issue of Our
Town featuring Tappan, a talk by Laurie Rispoli on her research into and book about Dutch tiles at the May board meeting, Chris
Gremski’s computer wizardry with which he maintains our website, updates our membership lists, prints our labels, and
corresponds with interested emailers, the delicious post- Memorial Day Parade brunch hosted by Thano and Jean Schoppel, the
superhuman job by Geri McCauley in organizing all the material, not to say detritus, that finds its way into the cage in the basement of
the library, and the savvy and sensible financial advice from Jim McCauley.
I particularly want to thank Pam Peters, our Recording Secretary, who cannot take on another term because of the demands of her
work schedule. We will miss her detailed notes, thoughtful comments, and droll sense of humor. Thank you, Pam, for also bringing
some of us into the twenty-first century by emailing the minutes and agenda. Pam and Jeff are selling their meticulously restored
house on Kings Highway for which they won an Achievement Award several years ago and are moving to South Nyack to begin
another restoration project on a down-at-heel- heels Tudor with a grand river view. We hope you stay in touch.
Finally, I would like to remember two THS members who died this year. Paul Melone, a founder and the third president of the
Society, died in August. Please take one of the memorial pamphlets we have published as a tribute to Paul. Virginia Ramsey died
Monday, Nov. 10. She and her husband Richard were active for many years in the society. Virginia was the sixth president of THS
and a long-time volunteer at the Thrift Shop.
[Treasurer’s Report and Election of Officers followed the Annual Report]
Good evening. Welcome to the 43rd Annual Meeting of the Tappantown Historical Society. I am Carol LaValle, and as president, I am
here to give the Annual Report for 2008. Quite a lot has been accomplished by a dedicated core of members and volunteers. I would
like to thank especially the members of the board during my first year as president for their diligence in attending monthly meetings,
in giving sound advice , and for their vigilance in adhering to the Society’s mission of education, preservation, and protection of the
community’s heritage. They are officers Jackie Shatz, first VP; Lucille Starink, 2nd VP; Chris Gremski, Corresponding Secretary; Pam
Peters, Recording Secretary; Geri McCauley, Treasurer; and board members John Morton, Susan Gewirtz, Sally Dewey, Ginny
McCarthy, Keith Walker, and Joe Napoli.
First, to review our major activities: the Awards Dinner, The Plant Sale, the Concert in the Park, and Colonial Day. On the stormy
evening of Feb 22 at the Annual Awards Dinner at the ‘76 House, we recognized Pam and Joe Printz for their renovation and
restoration of their 1890 Victorian on Andre Hill, Heidi and Alan Boucher for the restoration of their Greek Revival House at 34 Oak
Tree Rd, and Catherine Dodge, who received the rarely given Fellowship Award for a lifetime of service to the community. Thank you
Peter Schuerholz and Ginny McCarthy for your work on the Awards Committee and thank you to Edna Nitopi for arranging the menu
with Rob Norden.
After a few rainy days, the sun shown for the 40th Annual Plant Sale on May 10, with its array of perennials, herbs, and shrubs from
members’ gardens; annuals, baskets, and vegetables from Stokes Farms in Old Tappan; jams and jellies by Ginny McCarthy and
Geri McCauley, and baked goods by Edna Nitopi. We are particularly grateful to master gardeners Winifred Strakosch and Lois Reid
and to the many volunteers who helped with setting and cleaning up, watering plants and manning the tables; to the 15 local
business who donated prizes for the raffle, and to the Tappan Reformed Church for the use of their beautiful tree-shaded lawn
across from the Post Office.
Weather foiled our two other events: The 4th Annual American Roots Festival on June 14 organized by John Morton and co-
sponsored with the Tappan Library. It featured the folk tunes of Jaybird. Thank you to this intrepid trio of Bob Jones on fiddle and
bass, Sam Zygmuntowicz on mandolin and guitar, and Jody Kruskal on concertina. They played to a small but appreciative audience
in the Tappan Memorial Park as thunder rumbled, rain swept in, and distant flashes of lightening brought an early end to the
afternoon. For the first time in 24 years, Colonial Day, Sept. 27 and its rain date, the 28th, were completely washed out,
disappointing the many demonstrators, volunteers, and enthusiastic supporters, especially children –one of whom says that
Colonial Day is “better than Disney World.” It was a wise decision to cancel both days made by Colonial Day chairs Lucille Starink
and Geri McCauley in consultation with Harold Jones, Superintendent of the DeWint property. Rain began on Thursday and
continued on and off through the weekend. The grounds never dried out to allow for the intense traffic of the Colonial Day activities.
Still, we hope the months of preparation and the expenses incurred will see us through Colonial Day in 2009.
Some projects have come to fruition: a survey of business owners in Tappan and a report on their parking needs by Tom LaValle,
John Morton, and June Starke influenced the Town Council’s decision that there will be no parking in the triangle between the Green
and the Reformed Church. Thus, a year-long controversy was settled in favor of preserving the historic and aesthetic value of the
Green. Also, the value of the Society’s archives has been appraised with an eye toward future restoration of the 1704 Division Patent
and the Bogert family collection of 18th and 19th century documents. The Gaeta Collection of prints relating to Major John Andre has
been beautifully rematted and reframed with archival materials by Orangetown Town Historian and Director of the Orangetown
Museum Mary Cardenas and curator Elisabeth Skrabonja. By the way, some of these prints can be seen in the exhibit A Spy in Our
Midst opening this weekend at the Salyer House on Blue Hill Road in Pearl River. Thank you Mary and Elizabeth for your careful
attention to the historic and aesthetic values in your preservation of these prints.
Continuing our goal of cooperating with other town institutions, The Library Committee consisting of Tom LaValle, John Morton,
Marilyn Schauder, Geri McCauley and myself visited several libraries in the area that house historic materials in order to see how
THS and the Tappan Library might collaborate on a room in the library that would contain the Society’s materials. The committee
has made seven recommendations about the ideal characteristics of a such a space and hope to meet with the library board to
discuss plans for the Stable.
In a similar spirit of collaboration, Thano Schoppel, John Morton, Jackie Shatz, Alexis Starke, Walter Aurell, who is an architect with
Colgan, Perry, Lawler, and Aurell, who have bought Molly Samett’s place ( the Bartow House), met with Reverend Hoover of the
Reformed Church and Jim Dean, Orangetown Superintendent of Highways, to discuss the Town’s drainage plans for the area in
front of the church and along Kings Highway. Plans are not final on this project, but our suggestions were taken seriously and Jim
Dean told me today that we will be in on the decisions re; curbs, sidewalks, trees, and plantings.
Speaking of trees and plantings: THS hopes to collaborate with the Reformed Church and the library in adopting the small, scruffy
triangle at the intersection of Greenbush and Kings Highway. Joe Napoli has agreed to look into suitable plantings for the spot.
Also, John Morton met with arborist Paul Cowie, whom THS hired to give an independent assessment of the vulnerable Norway
Maple in front of the church. He gave a thorough evaluation of the tree and made recommendations for its protection and eventual
replacement. His report has been passed on to the town council, Jim Dean, and the Church.
Board Member and architect Keith Walker helps with our preservation efforts by attending the monthly HABOR meetings to represent
our concerns that building plans are applied in accordance with historic district law. Thank you, Keith.
Two of our enduring projects under Sally Dewey’s stewardship are the Thrift Shop in Piermont and the guided walking tours of
Tappan. Sally, along with volunteers Jackie Shatz, Ginny McCarthy, Winifred Strakosch, and Lani Turner put in hundreds of hours for
the benefit of the society. Oddly enough, in a time that calls for thrift, business is off at the Thrift Shop despite an abundance of high
quality donations.
Walking tour requests from elementary school classes and adult groups are fielded by Sally, who schedules our enthusiastic and
knowledgeable guides Janet Galloway, Peter Schuerholz, and Thano Schoppel. Kathy and Harold Jones here at the DeWint House
are especially helpful with the tours. Another aspect of our educational mission is the awarding of a $500.00 scholarship to a
graduating senior who has shown a proficiency in American history. This year’s recipient was Rainier Rondina, who is now
attending St. Thomas Aquinas College in Sparkill.
Inevitably, THS has been drawn into two controversial issues in the community and has taken a public stand in opposing these two
proposals: one, the sale of Oak Tree Park by the South Orangetown School Board and the other, the proposed O & R substation
planned for Oak Tree Rd. While neither parcel is in the historic district, THS supports the community in preserving valuable open
space, park and recreation facilities, and sensitive wetlands. Our letters have been printed in Our Town and in our newsletter, and
sent to every conceivable public official and business interest.
Other contributions to THS’s efforts include Marilyn Schauder’s excellent article “Trees of Tappan,” for the April special issue of Our
Town featuring Tappan, a talk by Laurie Rispoli on her research into and book about Dutch tiles at the May board meeting, Chris
Gremski’s computer wizardry with which he maintains our website, updates our membership lists, prints our labels, and
corresponds with interested emailers, the delicious post- Memorial Day Parade brunch hosted by Thano and Jean Schoppel, the
superhuman job by Geri McCauley in organizing all the material, not to say detritus, that finds its way into the cage in the basement of
the library, and the savvy and sensible financial advice from Jim McCauley.
I particularly want to thank Pam Peters, our Recording Secretary, who cannot take on another term because of the demands of her
work schedule. We will miss her detailed notes, thoughtful comments, and droll sense of humor. Thank you, Pam, for also bringing
some of us into the twenty-first century by emailing the minutes and agenda. Pam and Jeff are selling their meticulously restored
house on Kings Highway for which they won an Achievement Award several years ago and are moving to South Nyack to begin
another restoration project on a down-at-heel- heels Tudor with a grand river view. We hope you stay in touch.
Finally, I would like to remember two THS members who died this year. Paul Melone, a founder and the third president of the
Society, died in August. Please take one of the memorial pamphlets we have published as a tribute to Paul. Virginia Ramsey died
Monday, Nov. 10. She and her husband Richard were active for many years in the society. Virginia was the sixth president of THS
and a long-time volunteer at the Thrift Shop.
[Treasurer’s Report and Election of Officers followed the Annual Report]
Tappantown Historical Society Annual Meeting
President’s Annual Report, November 13, 2009
Good evening, and welcome to the 44th Annual Meeting of the Tappantown Historical Society.
Before I give the annual report, I would like to dedicate this evening to Sally Dewey, who died yesterday
morning. So much of this program had its genesis in Sally’s research, so that it is indeed a bittersweet
moment in which we honor her. Sally has been the heart, soul, and mind of THS for a generation. She
has left her mark as a researcher and writer, a genealogist, a walking tour coordinator, and thrift shop
volunteer; she has been the Historic Society’s secretary, treasurer, vice president, and the president
from 1982- 86; she has been our archivist, an indefatigable board member, a witty story teller, a wise
counselor, and a trusted friend. With her sharp and subtle mind, Sally was our collective memory.
Whenever a question needed answering, a fact checked, a mystery explained, the solution was, “Ask
Sally.” We will not be able to hear her wonderfully detailed recollections and digressions, but, fortunately
for us, she kept meticulous files and records. Even better, they are almost all handwritten. To read her
notes is to have a real sense of the extraordinary person who recorded and interpreted the minutiae of
local history for the future generations.
We will find another time to give Sally fuller tribute. Now we will move on to the meeting at hand.
2009 has been another year of accomplishments. I would like to thank the members of the board for
their unflagging energy, sound advice, and diligence in adhering to THS’s mission of education about
and preservation of the community’s heritage. They are board members Susan Gewirtz, John Morton,
Ginny McCarthy, Joe Napoli, Keith Walker, and officers Jackie Shatz, 1st VP; Lucille Starink, 2ndVP;
Chris Gremski, Corresponding Secretary; and Marilyn Schauder, Recording Secretary. I especially
want to thank Treasurer Geri McCauley, who is not continuing in her position. Geri has been assistant
treasurer and treasurer on and off for many years and has done a great job minding the books and
keeping an astute eye on the numbers. Thank you for all the hours and the hard work, Geri.
Thank you also to former officers and board members Peter Schuerholz, Mary Cardenas, and Tom
LaValle for your staying power and to those who regularly attend our meetings: Don Higgins, Pat
Sullivan, Alan Seebach, Heidi Boucher, and Tom Quinn.
To review our major annual activities: the Awards Dinner, The Plant Sale, the Concert, and Colonial
Day. The Awards Dinner on Feb. 27 was attended by a record number of 89 members and guests.
Achievement Awards went to journalist Suzanne Daycock for her excellent series of articles on Tappan
in 2007 and 2008 in Our Town.
William Beckmann was lauded for the restoration of the Mabie-Hennion House at 67 Main St., which
houses his business, Beckmann Appraisals, and for the installation of a stone wall and perennial
border along Main St. by landscape architect Mary Ellen LeWarn. Mary Cardenas, Director of the
Orangetown Museum and Elizabeth Skrabonja, Curator of the Museum were honored for the restoration
of the Salyer House and specifically for the creation of the permanent exhibit, “A Spy in Our Midst,” which
chronicles the conspiracy between Major John Andre and Benedict Arnold. Founding member Ginny
McCarthy received the Fellowship Award for over forty years of service – service characterized by her
intelligence, wit, and tenacity in maintaining the goals of education and preservation.
As a run-up to the Plant Sale in May, THS sponsored a Garden Group meeting in late March in the
Manse Barn featuring a talk and demonstration on container gardening by master gardener Lois Reid.
Lois was on hand at the Plant Sale on May 9, and was joined by gardeners Winifred Strakosch and Joe
Napoli, who gave expert advice on planting, mulching, and watering. Stokes Farms provided annuals,
hanging baskets, and vegetable plants. Small trees and shrubs, and perennials from members’
gardens were also available. Raffle prizes from local businesses and baked goods by Edna Nitopi also
helped to make this one of our most successful plant sales.
The Concerts in the Park, which THS and the Tappan Library had sponsored for several years, gave
way to a weather-proof concert in the Tappan Reformed Church on May 30. John Morton arranged for us
to sponsor the Rockland Camerata in a concert commemorating the Henry Hudson Quadricentennial
with music from 1609 and three centuries of American music.
Perfect weather on September 26 brought people in droves to Tappan for the TRC’s Fall Festival and
for the Historic Society’s 25th Colonial Day. Several inspired changes in logistics and planning made
the day run more smoothly than ever ( even at the beleaguered candle-dipping table, once it got under
way), and we had a small cadre of new volunteers who were crucial in making the day a success.
Thank you, Lucille, for your expert coordination of the complex elements of this major undertaking.
Two of our enduring programs under Sally Dewey’s stewardship are the Tappan Zee Thrift Shop in
Piermont and the guided walking tours of Tappan. Sally and volunteers Jackie Shatz and Ginny
McCarthy put in hundreds of hours at the Thrift Shop for the benefit of the society. Over three hundred
elementary students and several adult groups toured Tappan under the enthusiastic and
knowledgeable guidance of Janet Galloway, Peter Schuerholz, Thano Schoppel, Keith Walker, and,
here at the DeWint House with Harold and Kathy Jones.
In addition, Ginny, Keith, and Rob Norden of the ‘76 House regaled 4th graders with the story of Major
John Andre on Oct. 2, the anniversary of his hanging. Students were shown where he was imprisoned
in the ‘76 (old Mabie House) House, and then they “walked the walk” to the site of the hanging on Andre
Hill. Please take a look at the thank you notes on display from Ms. O’Brien’s Fourth Grade class at
Cottage Lane.
Board member and architect Keith Walker helps with our preservation efforts by attending the monthly
HABOR meetings to represent our concerns that building plans are followed in accordance with historic
district regulations.
Another way in which we fulfill our educational goal is though the awarding of a $500.00 scholarship to
a graduating TZHS student who has shown excellence in American history. This year’s recipient was
Bradley Silverman, who was a member of the TZHS History Honor Society, an editor of the school
newspaper, and a third-place winner in the NY State competition in May.
THS has several works-in-progress: headed by Marilyn Schauder, the effort to restore he damaged
19th century fence around the Andre Memorial is moving along slowly but thoroughly so that we can give
the County Highway Department a complete recommendation for the restoration of the memorial.
A survey of Sears homes in Tappan is in its early stages, but eventually, THS hopes to publish an
issue of The Drummer Boy featuring these homes, in the same way that we have documented the 18th
and 19th century houses.
The Tappan Library, the Tappan Reformed Church, and THS have adopted the small triangle at Kings
Highway and Greenbush Road, and after the town’s drainage and sidewalk project is finished, planting
will begin in the spring with Joe Napoli and Jack Higgins in charge.
The Archives Committee has its hands full trying to organize the materials we have in storage and that
have been given us by various members. THS now has a formal Collections Policy, and we will sort
thorough the mountain of material in order to make sure it is handled according to archival standards.
Chris Gremski has begun to scan old postcards – a first step in digitizing our collection.
We will also continue to work with the Tappan Library to create a Historical Society reading and
resource area, and to help them in their expansion efforts. Similarly, we will be helping the TRC in its
restoration project, which is just about to begin. Many of you have been concerned about saving the
vulnerable Norway maple near the church. Unfortunately the two projects – the church restoration and
the drainage and sidewalk project – made it impossible to save the tree. Because of our efforts at
having an independent arborist evaluate the tree and make recommendations for both its possible
preservation and eventual replacement, the town has pledged to plant two trees of a significant size in a
less vulnerable area near the church.
Our work on the tree ordinance will resume, and we hope to have a proposal by spring.
We have also sent a letter to the residents and business owners in the center of historic Tappan
encouraging them to return to the tradition of decorating their buildings with natural greens and placing
candle lights in the windows.
We have received a few gifts. When Chase Bank took over Washington Mutual last year and closed its
Oak Tree Road branch in July, their manger arranged that THS be given two works of art; the paining of
Main Street by Jane Toan, which is on the cover of Tappan 300 Years, and also the engraving of the
Capture of Major Andre, which Ginny and Ed McCarthy worked on many years ago.
We have also received Paul Melone’s bequest and will be considering how to use his generous gift in
a way to honor Paul and benefit the community.
We will now move on to the business part of the meeting which be followed by our program on the
restoration of the 1704 Division Patent (see images) and wonderful food from Edna Nitopi and Jean
and Thano Schoppel.
[Treasurer’s Report and Election of Officers followed the Annual Report]
President’s Annual Report, November 13, 2009
Good evening, and welcome to the 44th Annual Meeting of the Tappantown Historical Society.
Before I give the annual report, I would like to dedicate this evening to Sally Dewey, who died yesterday
morning. So much of this program had its genesis in Sally’s research, so that it is indeed a bittersweet
moment in which we honor her. Sally has been the heart, soul, and mind of THS for a generation. She
has left her mark as a researcher and writer, a genealogist, a walking tour coordinator, and thrift shop
volunteer; she has been the Historic Society’s secretary, treasurer, vice president, and the president
from 1982- 86; she has been our archivist, an indefatigable board member, a witty story teller, a wise
counselor, and a trusted friend. With her sharp and subtle mind, Sally was our collective memory.
Whenever a question needed answering, a fact checked, a mystery explained, the solution was, “Ask
Sally.” We will not be able to hear her wonderfully detailed recollections and digressions, but, fortunately
for us, she kept meticulous files and records. Even better, they are almost all handwritten. To read her
notes is to have a real sense of the extraordinary person who recorded and interpreted the minutiae of
local history for the future generations.
We will find another time to give Sally fuller tribute. Now we will move on to the meeting at hand.
2009 has been another year of accomplishments. I would like to thank the members of the board for
their unflagging energy, sound advice, and diligence in adhering to THS’s mission of education about
and preservation of the community’s heritage. They are board members Susan Gewirtz, John Morton,
Ginny McCarthy, Joe Napoli, Keith Walker, and officers Jackie Shatz, 1st VP; Lucille Starink, 2ndVP;
Chris Gremski, Corresponding Secretary; and Marilyn Schauder, Recording Secretary. I especially
want to thank Treasurer Geri McCauley, who is not continuing in her position. Geri has been assistant
treasurer and treasurer on and off for many years and has done a great job minding the books and
keeping an astute eye on the numbers. Thank you for all the hours and the hard work, Geri.
Thank you also to former officers and board members Peter Schuerholz, Mary Cardenas, and Tom
LaValle for your staying power and to those who regularly attend our meetings: Don Higgins, Pat
Sullivan, Alan Seebach, Heidi Boucher, and Tom Quinn.
To review our major annual activities: the Awards Dinner, The Plant Sale, the Concert, and Colonial
Day. The Awards Dinner on Feb. 27 was attended by a record number of 89 members and guests.
Achievement Awards went to journalist Suzanne Daycock for her excellent series of articles on Tappan
in 2007 and 2008 in Our Town.
William Beckmann was lauded for the restoration of the Mabie-Hennion House at 67 Main St., which
houses his business, Beckmann Appraisals, and for the installation of a stone wall and perennial
border along Main St. by landscape architect Mary Ellen LeWarn. Mary Cardenas, Director of the
Orangetown Museum and Elizabeth Skrabonja, Curator of the Museum were honored for the restoration
of the Salyer House and specifically for the creation of the permanent exhibit, “A Spy in Our Midst,” which
chronicles the conspiracy between Major John Andre and Benedict Arnold. Founding member Ginny
McCarthy received the Fellowship Award for over forty years of service – service characterized by her
intelligence, wit, and tenacity in maintaining the goals of education and preservation.
As a run-up to the Plant Sale in May, THS sponsored a Garden Group meeting in late March in the
Manse Barn featuring a talk and demonstration on container gardening by master gardener Lois Reid.
Lois was on hand at the Plant Sale on May 9, and was joined by gardeners Winifred Strakosch and Joe
Napoli, who gave expert advice on planting, mulching, and watering. Stokes Farms provided annuals,
hanging baskets, and vegetable plants. Small trees and shrubs, and perennials from members’
gardens were also available. Raffle prizes from local businesses and baked goods by Edna Nitopi also
helped to make this one of our most successful plant sales.
The Concerts in the Park, which THS and the Tappan Library had sponsored for several years, gave
way to a weather-proof concert in the Tappan Reformed Church on May 30. John Morton arranged for us
to sponsor the Rockland Camerata in a concert commemorating the Henry Hudson Quadricentennial
with music from 1609 and three centuries of American music.
Perfect weather on September 26 brought people in droves to Tappan for the TRC’s Fall Festival and
for the Historic Society’s 25th Colonial Day. Several inspired changes in logistics and planning made
the day run more smoothly than ever ( even at the beleaguered candle-dipping table, once it got under
way), and we had a small cadre of new volunteers who were crucial in making the day a success.
Thank you, Lucille, for your expert coordination of the complex elements of this major undertaking.
Two of our enduring programs under Sally Dewey’s stewardship are the Tappan Zee Thrift Shop in
Piermont and the guided walking tours of Tappan. Sally and volunteers Jackie Shatz and Ginny
McCarthy put in hundreds of hours at the Thrift Shop for the benefit of the society. Over three hundred
elementary students and several adult groups toured Tappan under the enthusiastic and
knowledgeable guidance of Janet Galloway, Peter Schuerholz, Thano Schoppel, Keith Walker, and,
here at the DeWint House with Harold and Kathy Jones.
In addition, Ginny, Keith, and Rob Norden of the ‘76 House regaled 4th graders with the story of Major
John Andre on Oct. 2, the anniversary of his hanging. Students were shown where he was imprisoned
in the ‘76 (old Mabie House) House, and then they “walked the walk” to the site of the hanging on Andre
Hill. Please take a look at the thank you notes on display from Ms. O’Brien’s Fourth Grade class at
Cottage Lane.
Board member and architect Keith Walker helps with our preservation efforts by attending the monthly
HABOR meetings to represent our concerns that building plans are followed in accordance with historic
district regulations.
Another way in which we fulfill our educational goal is though the awarding of a $500.00 scholarship to
a graduating TZHS student who has shown excellence in American history. This year’s recipient was
Bradley Silverman, who was a member of the TZHS History Honor Society, an editor of the school
newspaper, and a third-place winner in the NY State competition in May.
THS has several works-in-progress: headed by Marilyn Schauder, the effort to restore he damaged
19th century fence around the Andre Memorial is moving along slowly but thoroughly so that we can give
the County Highway Department a complete recommendation for the restoration of the memorial.
A survey of Sears homes in Tappan is in its early stages, but eventually, THS hopes to publish an
issue of The Drummer Boy featuring these homes, in the same way that we have documented the 18th
and 19th century houses.
The Tappan Library, the Tappan Reformed Church, and THS have adopted the small triangle at Kings
Highway and Greenbush Road, and after the town’s drainage and sidewalk project is finished, planting
will begin in the spring with Joe Napoli and Jack Higgins in charge.
The Archives Committee has its hands full trying to organize the materials we have in storage and that
have been given us by various members. THS now has a formal Collections Policy, and we will sort
thorough the mountain of material in order to make sure it is handled according to archival standards.
Chris Gremski has begun to scan old postcards – a first step in digitizing our collection.
We will also continue to work with the Tappan Library to create a Historical Society reading and
resource area, and to help them in their expansion efforts. Similarly, we will be helping the TRC in its
restoration project, which is just about to begin. Many of you have been concerned about saving the
vulnerable Norway maple near the church. Unfortunately the two projects – the church restoration and
the drainage and sidewalk project – made it impossible to save the tree. Because of our efforts at
having an independent arborist evaluate the tree and make recommendations for both its possible
preservation and eventual replacement, the town has pledged to plant two trees of a significant size in a
less vulnerable area near the church.
Our work on the tree ordinance will resume, and we hope to have a proposal by spring.
We have also sent a letter to the residents and business owners in the center of historic Tappan
encouraging them to return to the tradition of decorating their buildings with natural greens and placing
candle lights in the windows.
We have received a few gifts. When Chase Bank took over Washington Mutual last year and closed its
Oak Tree Road branch in July, their manger arranged that THS be given two works of art; the paining of
Main Street by Jane Toan, which is on the cover of Tappan 300 Years, and also the engraving of the
Capture of Major Andre, which Ginny and Ed McCarthy worked on many years ago.
We have also received Paul Melone’s bequest and will be considering how to use his generous gift in
a way to honor Paul and benefit the community.
We will now move on to the business part of the meeting which be followed by our program on the
restoration of the 1704 Division Patent (see images) and wonderful food from Edna Nitopi and Jean
and Thano Schoppel.
[Treasurer’s Report and Election of Officers followed the Annual Report]