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Free Blog on 19th Century Photography & Ephemera
"For those collecting images of people we don't know & places we've never been... Subscribe for free to receive new posts delivered direct to your inbox bi-weekly
I'm not just starting a newsletter but an interactive community that shares a passion for collecting or appreciating photography as unintended art or photography that documents the historical be it a famous moment or someone's personal history"
-Mike Fields
| | As Memorial Day has just passed, we take a moment to reflect on the solemn purpose of the holiday. Memorial Day, formerly known as Decoration Day, commemorates all men and women who gave their lives in service of our nation. | | |
Memorial Day's roots start on March 3rd, 1868 when General John A. Logan, the Commander-in-chief of the Union Veteran's group, known as the Grand Army of the Republic, issued General Order No. 11.
This order called for a national day of remembrance for those lost during the Civil War which served as the basis for Memorial Day.
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John A. Logan
c. 1860 - 1875
Library of Congress
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In 1968, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act permanently moved two federal holidays to Monday, Washington's Birthday and Memorial Day, making both a three-day weekend.
We hope everyone had a lovely Memorial Day weekend. Thank you to all who took the time to visit local cemeteries, participate in parades, or pause to honor the fallen.
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Greenlawn Flag Raising
c. 1906
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Greenlawn Memorial Day Parade
c. 1924
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Centerport Memorial Day Parade
c. 1930
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Looking Back
The Forgotten Flagpole
Originally published in the Winter 2010 Newsletter
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July 4th, 1928, was lauded as “The Biggest Day in the History of Greenlawn”. The Long-Islander reported:
“Under favorable skies, Greenlawn held its first Fourth of July celebration. The occasion was to unveil a block of granite quarried in the mountains of Vermont and on its side was inscribed “A Tribute to Those Who Served.” A new flag pole and a new flag was unfurled to the breeze...
Rev. F. J. Brehme dedicated the monument calling upon the children present that it was their duty to guard well the shaft and all that it represented.
After the parade and dedication games and athletic contests were held on the school grounds."
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The original location of the “Memorial Park” was in the plaza on the grounds of the railroad station opposite the firehouse. The park contained a small cannon (that has since disappeared), a granite boulder, and a flagpole hand-hewn from a chestnut tree.
In 1960, the memorial boulder and flagpole were moved to a new site within the current Greenlawn ballpark. A wooden sign was erected honoring the man who crafted the flagpole, Michael Freres. Some time ago, the sign disappeared, leaving no reminder of the flagpole’s history.
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Greenlawn Memorial Park
c. 1933
| | In the mid-1990s, the Memorial Park was moved again to the southeast corner of Broadway and Pulaski Road. This time, the old flagpole was left behind and forgotten by most. One who did not forget was GCHA Trustee Dennis Freres. His grandfather was the maker of the flagpole, and Dennis has in his possession a photo of the sign that once identified its history and maker. | | | |
In September of 2010, the flagpole rotted at its base and fell over. The Town, no longer having an interest in it, granted the GCHA permission to take the pole.
The flagpole now stands at the John Gardiner Farm, where it has remained the past 15 years.
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100 Years Ago
May 1925 News Articles
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Climate Here Rivals California
The Suffolk County News
May 15, 1925
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Long Island's Weather Best
Farmingdale Post
May 29, 1925
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Death of Rebecca Ballton
The Long-Islander
May 22, 1925
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Rebecca Richardson Ballton
Estimated 1910s
Photo donated by granddaughter Berenice Easton
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*The obituary refers to Rebecca Ballton as "(colored)," a term commonly used in early 20th-century newspapers to identify Black individuals, often when white individuals' race went unmentioned.
This reflects how racial identity was seen as noteworthy or defining for Black people in public records and media of the time.
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Thank You, Sir (Father's Day)
The Long-Islander
May 22, 1925
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John Deans' Family
c. 1910
Wife Elizabeth Breen Deans
Daughter Mildred & Son Harold
Photo donated by Bruce Clayton, son of Mildred
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La Torre's Rest Ad
The County Review
May 28, 1925
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Hall's Inn Ad
The Brooklyn Eagle
May 28, 1925
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GCHA Membership
Looking to Become a Member or Renew?
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Consider renewing your membership or joining, as your annual dues allows us to continue maintaining our two historic properties, the John Gardiner Farmhouse, and the Suydam Homestead, alongside the preservation of paintings, photographs, documents, and ephemera at the Russell B. Brush Research Center.
An annual membership entitles you to a subscription to our quarterly newsletter and monthly e-newsletter, in addition to discounts on programs. You will also get early access to our digitized collection, and virtual exhibits/tours.
Senior/Student - $20
Individual - $25
Family - $40
Sponsor - $75
Patron - $125
Click a tier & pay online via Square
or
Mail a check to:
GCHA
31 Broadway, Greenlawn, NY 11740
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Gift Options
To Support Our Association
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Greenlawn-Centerport Historical Association Mug
$12.00
Click here!
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(Images of America)
Greenlawn: A Long Island Hamlet
From the archives of the Greenlawn-Centerport Historical Association comes this striking visual history of the north shore Long Island hamlet of Greenlawn.
Originally known as Oldfields, the area was settled in the early 1800s by farmers. The extension of the Long Island Railroad through the farmlands in 1867-1868 provided the impetus for the development of a profitable pickle and cabbage industry, the growth of the community, and the arrival of vacationers, many of whom soon became year-round residents. Greenlawn includes stories of the Halloween eve conflagration, the Adirondack-style vacation retreat, the opera house, the farmhouse murders, the vaudevillians, and the Pickle King, among others. Today, houses cover the old farmlands; yet Greenlawn with: one main street of small shops, a railroad crossing that halts traffic throughout the day, and many historical buildings-still retains its small-town charm.
$20.00
Click here!
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(Images of America)
Centerport
Discover the Deco estates, summer camp spots, and stunning landscapes that Long Island's North Shore coastal community of Centerport has to offer.
Once known as Little Cow Harbor, the coastal community of Centerport on Long Island's north shore is rich in natural resources, including a beautiful harbor with several freshwater streams surrounded by wooded hills. Centerport was originally the site of several important mills, but in the late 19th century, it became a summer retreat for both the rich and the not so rich. Youth camps, most notably the Franciscan Brothers' Camp Alvernia; guesthouses; and resorts as well as popular restaurants dotted the shoreline. In the early 20th century, large estates were established by the Vanderbilt, Van Iderstine, Burling, Morse, DeBrabant, Whitney, and Corbin families on the Little Neck peninsula. As the 20th century progressed, modest and generously sized houses replaced the small farms and many of the large estates. The unspoiled natural beauty and rich history has for centuries drawn residents whose love of Centerport continue to make our village a great place to live.
$20.00
Click here!
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Harvey A. Weber's Centerport
In 1990, Harvey Weber wrote, edited, designed and published Centerport, a word and photographic history of his adopted home. The book was well received and was reprinted in 1991. At his death in September 1991, the rights to his book about Centerport became the property of his widow, Madeline Weber. In 2001, as the book was about to go out of print, Mrs. Weber generously ceded the rights to the Centerport book to the GCHA in loving memory of her husband. The Association has now re-issued Harvey Weber's book as a tribute to the great contribution he has made to preserve the history of Centerport through his own beautiful photographs and through the historic photographs that he assembled. The Association also acknowledges with heartfelt gratitude the generosity of Madeline Weber. Her gift has made it possible for our community to enjoy her husband's work for years to come.
Harvey Weber was born in Brooklyn, NY in 1917. He died in Centerport in 1991. During his lifetime he received many prestigious awards and honors, including the Joseph Costa Award from the National Press Photographers Association. He exhibited his work in six one-man shows. His photographs are included in museum, university, and private collections.
$5.00
Click here!
(Available only through the GCHA)
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