Scarsdale's Black History Explored in New Exhibit: Not Forgotten

The Scarsdale Historical Society and the Scarsdale Public Library are pleased to announce an exhibit for the month of February titled, “Not Forgotten: Scarsdale’s Black History.” It will be on view in the Local History Center at the library during regular hours. There will be a virtual live premiere on the Scarsdale Historical Society’s Facebook page on February 8, 2022 from 7:00 - 8:00 P.M. Visitors will be immersed in experiences and events that have shaped Scarsdale’s Black history through documents, photographs, and artifacts.

The exhibit explores local slavery, the important role of the Black community on Saxon Woods Road, and the local influence of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Visitors will travel through time from Scarsdale’s earliest slaveholder records of 1755 all the way to the assassination of Dr. King, when 2,000 residents held a silent march through town. There is a combination of treasured artifacts from the Scarsdale archives as well as newly uncovered items. For example, the Scarsdale Historical Society recently acquired copies of personal letters from Dr. King to Scarsdale Community Baptist Church in preparation for his visit in 1960.

Visitors will also see museum-quality artifacts on loan from prominent collection-builder and Scarsdale Historical Society trustee, Seth Kaller. Items include Frederick Douglass Civil War recruiting poster (“Men of Color To Arms! To Arms!”), an Abraham Lincoln letter about “Freedmen,” a handwritten letter by Jackie Robinson about Civil Rights, the Presidency, and the Supreme Court, and a rare original mimeograph of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s speech from the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, printed only hours before by the March’s press office.

“The exhibit conveys that Black history is tightly woven into the fabric of our Village, and will not be forgotten,” stated Randy Guggenheimer, President of the Scarsdale Historical Society. “Through this collection, we recognize and honor Black people’s struggles and triumphs in Scarsdale’s history. With the contributions of Seth Kaller, we’re delighted to take these issues and figures beyond our village borders with a few important historic artifacts that show some of the same figures and issues on a national scale.”

(Photo Caption) Alfred Peterson and Josephine Baker at 299 Saxon Woods Road in the 1930's. Alfred was relation of descendent of Robert Purdy, an escaped slave who became a Scarsdale landowner in the 1850's. Credit: Al Surya Peterson Jr. for the White Plains Public Library Collection

“In selecting the topic of our first history exhibit since the reopening of the transformed building, it was important that we shine a light on the rich history of Black people in Scarsdale,” stated Dan Glauber, Local History Librarian, Scarsdale Public Library. “We invite the public to visit the exhibit and experience the library as a community space for the exploration of ideas.”

The exhibit can be experienced both in-person and virtually. The public can register for the virtual premiere at https://www.scarsdalelibrary.org/events/not-forgotten-scarsdales-black-history or simply attend the event on Tuesday, February 8 at 7:00 PM by clicking https://fb.me/e/19oZphT0u (a Facebook account is not required for viewing).

(Pictured at top) MLK-dinner-1965.jpg: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at a benefit dinner in Eastchester hosted by Abbott House in 1965. Before the dinner, Scarsdale resident John Marqusee (far left) hosted a private reception for Dr. King with 200 attendees at his home on Kensington Road. Credit: Abbott House

About the Scarsdale Historical Society
The Scarsdale Historical Society exists to discover, preserve and disseminate historical information, as well as inspire others to learn about and contribute to the history of Scarsdale and the Central Mid-Westchester Region. The Scarsdale Historical Society accepts grant applications for projects that meet its mission, particularly those that will inspire others to learn about the history of Scarsdale and the surrounding communities. Learn more at www.scarsdalehistoricalsociety.org.