A Sneak Peek At The New Rochelle Library Archives With The Curator

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The New Rochelle Public Library is offering a fascinating chance to travel back in time with the best guide a time traveler could hope for.

The New Rochelle Public Library will host a virtual program this Saturday titled, "Inside of History: Selections from the Library's Archive," presented by David Rose, the library's archivist.

In the 1890s, New Rochelle transformed from a tranquil suburb to a bustling center for the visual arts. The New Rochelle Public Library, which was established in 1893, played a crucial role in promotion of the arts, soon becoming an educational leader in the community. The library's projects celebrating local history led to the formation of its archive, which is today a highlight of its local history collections.

"Inside of History: Selections from the Library's Archive" will take an enlightening journey inside that history to focus on the intertwined stories of the library and the city. Striking visual examples of documents and photos from the archive will bring that history to life right in our own living rooms.

The library recently posted about the oldest item found in the archive, which mysteriously originated from London bankruptcy proceedings in 1726. Saturday's talk will explore the lives of both noted celebrities, local heroes and a few characters who were lost to history but who still had an enduring role in the cultural and artistic diversity of the New Rochelle community.

The program will take place virtually on Saturday, April 9, 2022, at 4:00 p.m. All who are interested in the inside history of New Rochelle can register for the program here.

David Rose is Archivist of the New Rochelle Public Library. Formerly Archivist of the March of Dimes and the LuEsther T. Mertz Library of the New York Botanical Garden, he has also worked as consulting archivist for the New York State Museum and the John Cage Trust at Bard College. At the New Rochelle Public Library, he organizes and preserves document collections relating to New Rochelle dating from the 18th century to the present day.