By Erin Saluti, Co-Chair, Board of Directors, The Bronxville Historical Society

Jul. 18, 2018: If you happened to notice that the Tuckahoe Trolley was traveling up and down Pondfield Road more often than usual a few weeks ago, you are right! Over the 2017-2018 academic year, The Bronxville Historical Conservancy partnered with The Bronxville School to develop a local history curriculum module for the second grade. The module was designed to complement the current second-grade social studies theme, "change over time."

The unit began on May 24 with a PowerPoint presentation to the entire second-grade class by the Eastchester town historian, Richard Forliano. Forliano, dressed in period costume, assumed the role of "Farmer John" and guided the children on an in-depth pictorial tour of "old" Bronxville. There were audible gasps in the auditorium as the students recognized familiar places that looked so different centuries ago. Forliano engaged the students in a unique way by periodically asking them questions and directing them to "turn and talk" to the classmates seated beside them. This format fostered interesting discussion between the students.

ln the following few weeks, each of the six classes took individual trolley tours, visiting the buildings, homes, and locations that they learned about in the presentation. Stops included the Bronx River; Lawrence Park ("the Hilltop"); the original village square; the "one-room schoolhouse"; and Bronxville's oldest home, the Abijah Morgan house at 339 Pondfield Road. These locations were contrasted with the present-day village center and "four corners," which consists of the library, village hall, The Reformed Church, and the school.

Forliano explained to the students how the area evolved from a Native American hunting and fishing settlement on the banks of the Bronx River thousands of years ago to an agricultural hamlet to a purposefully developed artistic community to a modern-day suburb. At the completion of the tour, the second-graders were provided with a booklet to reinforce what they had learned.

In addition to Forliano, former Conservancy co-chair Jack Bierwirth, current Conservancy co-chair Erin Saluti, and Village of Bronxville historian Ray Geselbracht contributed to the project--one of many programs and initiatives offered this year in celebration of The Bronxville Historical Conservancy's 20th anniversary.

The local history module provided the second-graders with an unusual glimpse of their hometown back in time. It encouraged their understanding of how Bronxville has changed over time and helped to develop an appreciation for why their community is unique. The Bronxville Historical Conservancy looks forward to partnering with The Bronxville School on future projects, furthering our mission of fostering an awareness of the village's architectural, artistic, and cultural heritage.

Pictured here: Second-graders on the Tuckahoe Trolley guided by Richard Forliano and in the school auditorium.

Photo by Michelle Schoulder

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