Skip to main content
Iona Leaderboard, up Jan 8. 2025

'A Living History of Bronxville': Video Interview with Robert R. Macdonald, Former Director of the Museum of the City of New York


By Marcia Lee, Host, A Living History of Bronxville


Jan. 20, 2016:  From 1991 to 2006, 123 residents of Bronxville were interviewed by former mayor Marcia Lee for the cable TV program A Living History of Bronxville. Each interview ran approximately 45 minutes on air and covered the person's service to the community, professional accomplishments, and family background. 

At the time of this interview with Robert R. Macdonald in April of 2002, he was the director of the Museum of the City of New York. Before that, he had been the director and CEO of the Louisiana State Museum in New Orleans (1974 to 1985) and before that, the director and CEO of the New Haven Colony Historical Society (1970 to 1974), which is associated with Yale University.

He holds a BA degree from Notre Dame, an MA degree in American studies from Notre Dame, and an MA degree in American civilization from the University of Pennsylvania, and he is an ABD, University of Delaware, in American civilization.

He now lives in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, with his wife, Catherine. The Macdonalds have three grown children, Matthew, Robert, and Catherine. 

To see the interview, click here:  https://youtu.be/fR1IUUXkpoM

Previously posted Living History interviews: 

Walter Isaacson: https://youtu.be/4cBooa7edSE  

Marilynn Wood Hill: https://youtu.be/G0D8fu-86Oc  

Penny and John Barr: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYAk_LmS96Q

Randy Frost: https://youtu.be/Z5RbGmBzck0

Jeremiah (Jerry) W. O'Connor, Jr.: http://youtu.be/GDoiimN0bt0

Robert and Barbara McGrath: https://youtu.be/apqwZSU-esI

Viji George: https://youtu.be/oW3oVzooDg4

Mary C. Marvin: https://youtu.be/ydpDv4FJGVI

Government & History Directory

Bronxville Overview

Bronxville is a quaint village (one square mile) located just 16 miles north of midtown Manhattan (roughly 30 minutes on the train) and has a population of approximately 6,500. It is known as a premier community with an excellent public school (K-12) and easy access to Manhattan. Bronxville offers many amenities including an attractive business district, a hospital (Lawrence Hospital), public paddle and tennis courts, fine dining at local restaurants, two private country clubs and a community library.

While the earliest settlers of Bronxville date back to the first half of the 18th century, the history of the modern suburb of Bronxville began in 1890 when William Van Duzer Lawrence purchased a farm and commissioned the architect, William A. Bates, to design a planned community of houses for well-known artists and professionals that became a thriving art colony. This community, now called Lawrence Park, is listed on the National register of Historic Places and many of the homes still have artists’ studios. A neighborhood association within Lawrence Park called “The Hilltop Association” keeps this heritage alive with art shows and other events for neighbors.

Bronxville offers many charming neighborhoods as well as a variety of living options for residents including single family homes, town houses, cooperatives and condominiums. One of the chief benefits of living in “the village” is that your children can attend the Bronxville School.

The Bronxville postal zone (10708, known as “Bronxville PO”) includes the village of Bronxville as well as the Chester Heights section of Eastchester, parts of Tuckahoe and the Lawrence Park West, Cedar Knolls, Armour Villa and Longvale sections of Yonkers. Many of these areas have their own distinct character. For instance, the Armour Villa section has many historic homes and even has its own newsletter called “The Villa Voice” which reports on neighborhood news.

Bronxville Village "One Square Mile" Newsletter and Government Directory

Link to Village of Bronxville One Square Mile Monthly Newsletter

December 2024

Village of Bronxville Administrative Offices
337-6500
Open 9:00am - 4pm excluding holidays and weekends

Bronxville Police Department
337-0500
Open 24 hours

Bronxville Parking Violations
337-2024
Open 9:00am - 4pm excluding holidays and weekends

Bronxville Fire Deparment
793-6400

Government & History Recent Articles