Preserving and Appreciating History

Known as an organization that preserves and appreciates history, the Larchmont Historical Society made a bit of their own history at its annual board of trustees meeting on June 8, as new board members and officers were named and re-elected.

Held at the Horseshoe Harbor Yacht Club in Manor Park, the "Meeting of the Membership" brought out a few dozen members and history buffs who took part in the elections and helped welcome those voted in for the first time and those re-elected to their posts.

President Colette Rodbell, 2^nd Vice President Patricia Roberts and Treasurer Jim Sweeney were all nominated for re-election for the 2010-2012 term. Nancy White was elected to her first term on the board.

"This new group we have that is coming on board is wonderful," said Rodbell. "We have people with writing skills, three people who were previous board members who have experience and their own mission, an architectural historian and an engineer who specializes in historic buildings."

As president, Rodbell has an idea he hopes to take to the streets of Larchmont.

"We have a postcard series of historic Larchmont with little blurbs, and I would love to spruce up downtown with posters in the empty windows and make it all look pretty," she said. "We're hoping to get more members and more visibility. We have 475 members now. Our board members have real talents who can make a difference in our programs and the different things we do."

Treasurer Jim Sweeny, who grew up in Larchmont and served as the fire chief for the village, is part of the Fire Committee, which helped to preserve an original 1922 fire engine.

"I really wanted to get involved in that," he said. "We are also going back and getting records and putting together an historical accurate record of the fire department."

Previously elected board members Chris Knowles and Carolyn Oaky were announced, and then voting for those serving the 2010-2013 term commenced.

Margi Gristina was nominated for re-election as a member of the Board of Trustees, and is looking forward to continuing in her role.

"This is a wonderful organization that just draws attention to the history of Larchmont and there's so much here that people don't' know about," said Gristina, who is in charge of the society's version of Antiques Roadshow.

Ned Benton, a Larchmont resident for more than 30 years, is one of seven new board members, but he previously had served on the board for two 3-year terms.

"Larchmont is an archive for the suburbs of the United States and a lot of development across the country emerged or was accepted in the history of Larchmont," said Benton, whose role on the board is in the digital area and running the Web site.

Other new board members elected on this night are Beth Belisle, Susan Emery, Jim Fleming, Monica Foster, Rick Lefever and Katherine Ann Samon.

"It's very important to be aware of where you live and who came before you," said Samon, who writes a column on historical sites for Patch. "The combination of history and culture helps us to lead more informed lives."