By Irena Choi Stern     

Jun. 28, 2017:  Nearly 100 friends of Eloise Morgan's gathered on June 11 in the Bronxville Public Library to honor the longtime Bronxville resident and village historian, who is moving to the West Coast, and to announce the establishment of the Eloise Morgan History Fund, for which $17,486 has been raised so far. The fund will further the work of future village historians in preserving the community's history, including supporting archival acquisitions, for which there is limited funding in the village budget.

"Being village historian was an enormously fulfilling opportunity," Eloise Morgan said. "This new fund brings a new dimension to the position's possibilities. I'm very grateful to everyone who supported it."

"Eloise's contribution to Bronxville and its historical roots is priceless," said Jack Bierwirth, co-chair of The Bronxville Historical Conservancy (the "BHC"), a co-sponsor of the farewell fundraiser. "She never asked for recognition or gratitude, which is why so many of us wanted to give her both."

Along with The Bronxville Historical Conservancy, the host committee for the reception included the Lawrence Park Hilltop Association, Jack and Jane Bierwirth, Si and Vicki Ford, Viji and Janet George, Mary Marvin, Joe and Erin Saluti, and Bruce and Irena Stern. Guests enjoyed tea sandwiches and desserts while bidding Bob and Eloise Morgan farewell. Bob and Eloise Morgan commence their cross country drive to their new home in Vancouver, Washington, on July 1.

“Sometimes the most important contributions to the life of a community go on behind the scenes,” said Erin Saluti, co-chair of the BHC. “Eloise brought a steadfast, disciplined, and rigorous work ethic to the preservation of the history of our village. Her guardianship of the culture of this special place will be appreciated for generations to come.”

The reception included remarks by Mayor Mary Marvin, the co-chairs of the BHC, and Eloise Morgan herself. The host committee also announced that they had commissioned a framed calligraphy certificate announcing the establishment of the Eloise Morgan History Fund, which will hang in the library. 

“Eloise personifies Bronxville's extraordinary volunteer spirit,” said Mayor Mary Marvin. “She is quite simply a treasure.”

Those interested in supporting the Eloise Morgan History Fund can still contribute. Please make checks payable to Village of Bronxville (and in the memo line include “Eloise Morgan History Fund”) and return to The Bronxville Historical Conservancy, ℅ Irena Choi Stern, 56 Valley Road, Bronxville, NY 10708 by July 10. Thank you! All donations are 100% tax-deductible.

Pictured here (from top): Eloise Morgan at the lectern at the Bronxville Public Library; Jack Bierwirth at the lectern; guests at the reception; some of the materials maintained by Eloise Morgan.

Photos by Jim Hudson