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'Living History' Interview with Robert and Barbara McGrath--Growing Up in Bronxville in the 1940s


Marcia Lee, Host, A Living History of Bronxville


Oct. 14, 2015:  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. 

This interview is with Robert W. McGrath (Bob) and Barbara McGrath ("Bumpty"). It is part of a series of five interviews titled "Growing Up in Bronxville." The McGraths discussed what it was like to grow up in Bronxville in the 1940s during WWII and the post-war years. Both went through the Bronxville public school system.

Bob was born and raised in Bronxville. His father owned the Fred H. McGrath & Son Funeral Home located then and now in Bronxville. Barbara moved from Chicago to Bronxville at the age of seven. The McGraths raised five children here, one of whom, Tim, now is the CEO of the funeral home.

The interview took place on September 22, 1998.

To see the interview, click here: https://youtu.be/apqwZSU-esI

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

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

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