The Bronx is home to twelve colleges, four of which have NYC Landmarks and/or buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places found on their respective grounds.
​
With such an enormity of structural treasures right in our own backyard, enjoying a close up and personal visit is easy for Bronx history buffs like myself! The College of Mount St. Vincent has two NYC Designated Landmarks, both of which, date back to the 1850’s.
Located in Riverdale, the 70-acre, urban College of Mount St. Vincent is home to Fonthill Castle and the Administration Building, two landmarked historic buildings.

To fully understand the significance of these celebrated national historic structures, let’s take a step back in time to examine the foundation of the college on whose grounds they reside.

Founded by the Sisters of Charity of New York, and serving over 1,800 students with professional undergraduate programs, the college is under the care of the Sisters of Charity of New York, one of several Sisters of Charity congregations that trace their lineage back to Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, who established the order in the spirit of Saint Vincent de Paul and Saint Louise de Marillac, in Emmitsburg, Maryland, in 1809.

In 1847, the Academy of Mount Saint Vincent was established as a school for women in Manhattan on land known as “McGowan's Pass,”  which would eventually become part of Central Park. It was named to honor Saint Vincent de Paul, the 17th-century French priest who worked with the poor and founded the original Sisters of Charity.

As the city of New York began acquiring land for Central Park in 1855, the sisters, under the leadership of Mother Angela Hughes, sister of Archbishop John Hughes (founder of Fordham University), purchased the 70-acre "Fonthill" Estate in Riverdale, owned by the famed and arguably the most important Shakespearean actor of the 1800s, Edwin Forrest.

The focal point of this estate was Fonthill Castle, set high above the Hudson River with breathtaking views. The residence took four years to build from 1848-1852, and its construction was under the watchful eye of Edwin Forrest’s wife, actress Catherine Norton Sinclair. 

In 2006, Texas A&M University professor Steven Escar Smith is quoted as saying “that in laying the cornerstone, Forrest set into it a few coins and a volume of Shakespeare.” The name Fonthill was derived from English Novelist, William Beckford's Gothic Fonthill Abbey in England.

According to the Historic Campus Architecture Project, Fonthill was not intended to parallel Fonthill Abbey in England, but there are some similarities in interior decoration and in certain architectural details which were copied. An example is the fan faulting of Forrest's drawing room ceiling, probably modeled off of Beckford's St. Michael's Gallery. 

There is a bit of controversy regarding the architect of what is now recognized as an historic building, as some believe it was built by Thomas C. Smith, and others claiming it was Alexander Jackson Davis. From the research that stands, it cannot be accurately determined.

One thing that cannot be disputed, however, is the Gothic Revival style of Fonthill, which consists of a cluster of six octagonal towers at varying heights, built of hammered grey stone. Five of the towers radiate from a three-story central tower. 

Interestingly and quite ironically, Fonthill Castle was never occupied by the acting couple as they divorced before they could occupy it, at which point Forrest sold the estate to the Sisters of Charity.

Throughout the years, the building has served multiple functions for the College of Mount St. Vincent, including a chapel, a residence for the Sisters, a museum, an annex to the main building, a chaplain's residence, the Elizabeth Seton Library from 1942 to 1968, and  in 1969, the college admissions office. It was designated a New York City Landmark in 1966 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

Adding to this already illustrious and historic background, The Administration Building on the campus was also designated a NYC Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places at the same time as Fonthill Castle.

Built between 1857 and 1859 in the Early Romanesque revival style, there is no uncertainty about the architect, with the initial structure of the Administration Building designed and built by Henry Engelbert,.  

The original building is a five-story red brick building on a fieldstone base. It features a six-story square tower topped by a copper lantern and spire. The tower is flanked by five story gabled sections. At the base of the tower, a double stairway rises from a porte cochere to the level of the veranda, leading to the entrance. Subsequently, the building was expanded in 1865, 1883, 1906-1908, and in 1951 respectively. 

-Elisa

References

• Wikipedia
• The Trials of 19th-Century Bibliophilia, Knickerbocker, By GARY SHAPIRO
• Historic Campus Architecture Project
• New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

​If you have been following my column for the past year, you know how enamored I am with history and namely, the remarkable gems of the past found locally in the Bronx.

The more exploring I do around the borough, the more astounded I am with the notable treasures and their special part in laying the foundation of the Bronx.

Take for instance the community of Riverdale. Today it is one of the most expensive neighborhoods in New York City, a reputation it has maintained from its days as a 19th-century estate district where many of Manhattan's moguls built their country estates, 

In addition to boasting one of the highest elevations in New York City, with scenic views of the Empire State Building, George Washington Bridge, Hudson River and New Jersey Palisades, this three-square mile section of the Bronx is also home to designated historic districts. In fact, the Hudson Hill neighborhood still retains many of its historic mansions.

Filled with expanses of greenery, original forest and a characteristically hilly landscape, it is no wonder that Riverdale is one of the most sought-after residential areas in all of the city today.  It also stands to reason that it was the perfect rural setting in the 19th century for Manhattan’s wealthy elite to build country estates and escape the crowds and congestion of the city.

Today, there are seven subdivisions to Riverdale - Central Riverdale (the "downtown" area of Riverdale); Fieldston; North Riverdale, Hudson Hill (also known as Riverdale Estates); Mosholu; Spuyten Duyvil or South Riverdale and Villanova Heights.  

Fieldston, in particular, has a noteworthy history to its founding, and in fact, the wooded, scenic enclave of Fieldston was designated a historic district by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission in 2006.  Additionally, northwest of the neighborhood lies a 15-acre Riverdale Historic District, designated in 1990.

Located in in northern Riverdale, Fieldston was originally part of the estate of Major Joseph Delafield. Purchasing 250 acres in 1829, Delafield named it after his family's estate in England. The Delafield family laid out lots in Fieldston in 1909, intending to develop the land and named it “Delafield Woods.”  The timing of their neighborhood development coincided with the one-year prior extension of the IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line (present-day 1 train) to Van Cortlandt Park–242nd Street, creating more ease and convenience for Manhattan-bound commuters.

Working with the natural contours of the land and preserving as much of the wooded areas as possible, civil engineer for the project, Albert E. Wheeler, heeded the advice of Frederick Law Olmsted, the American landscape architect, popularly considered to be the father of American landscape architecture, and worked with the land’s innate characteristics rather than employ a grid pattern.

In 1910, the first house was begun, with its completion in 1911 and by the beginning of the 21st century, Fieldston, a privately owned community, was one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in New York City. ​

Leland Weintraub, the commissioner who moved for the district's creation, noted that "most of the features commonly associated with the American romantic suburb of the mid-19th century", including "a picturesque site, landscaping and architecture; connection to the city by accessible transportation and a layout adapted to the topography" are present in the area.

As far as notable Riverdale buildings go, the historically designated “Stonehurst”, the Robert Colgate House, whose name was subsequently changed to the Katzenbach House, was built by one of America’s foremost  business families.

I always love knowing the back story, so I’ll share with you, the details on how “Stonehurst” came to be.  The Colgate family history in America began with William Colgate, an English manufacturer who, in 1806, founded what would become the Colgate toothpaste company.  

Born January 25, 1783, William emigrated to America with his parents, Robert and Sarah Colgate in 1798, leaving their farm in Shoreham, Kent England.  Robert (for whom William’s future son would be named), was a farmer, politician and sympathiser with the American War of Independence and French Revolution, which was eventually the impetus for his moving to America.

The family settled on a farm in Baltimore, Maryland, where William’s father started a soap and candle manufacturing business, where the young Colgate would help his father. The business lasted only two years, and thereafter, the family would re-settle in Delaware County, New York.
 
William Colgate, however, would move to New York City in 1804 as a young man, where he became an apprentice to a soap-boiler. Closely observing the methods practiced by his employer, he not only garnered the craft, but would also become savvy in the ways of business management. By the end of his apprenticeship, he had developed valuable contacts with dealers in other cities, setting himself up for success. 

In 1806 William established a starch, soap and candle business in Manhattan, on Dutch Street. Then, fourteen years later, in 1820, he started a starch factory across the Hudson in Jersey City. His success as a pioneer soap manufacturer led him to become one of the most prosperous men in the city of New York, with his legacy still alive through the Colgate-Palmolive Company and Colgate University. 

His marriage to Mary Gilbert produced three sons, Robert, James and Samuel. His son Robert (1812–1885), purchased land in 1860, on which he had built a two-story picturesque Italianate villa that he would name, "Stonehurst."  The building was constructed of ashlar Maine granite.  According to the Landmark Preservation Commission, "the noted historian of Westchester county described the Robert Colgate House as "one of the finest residences on the Hudson," added that "the resources of wealth and refined taste have joined to make it a thing of beauty." "

It was designated a New York City Landmark in 1970, with the Landmark Commission's report stating, " "Stonehurst has a classical flavor and a symmetry which are most unusual within the romantic and generally asymmetrical Anglo-italianate villa tradition...(and) displays a sensitive response to its splendid setting.  This is characteristic of the age of Emerson and the transcendentalists and illustrates the rise in landscape architecture and landscape painting."

In 1983, Robert Colgate House was additionally listed on the National Register of Historical Places.

- Elisa

Resources
The NYTimes (Postings: HIstoric Designations: Recognizing Riverdale) Oct. 21, 1990
Wikipedia
The Encyclopedia of New York City
NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission
Revolvy.com

The Bronx Zoo is iconic and world-renowned for its large and diverse animal inhabitants and award-winning exhibitions, with most New Yorkers having visited this hundred year old point of interest at one time or another.  As one of the largest zoological parks in the United States, comprising 265 acres of park lands and naturalistic habitats, it has, on average, 2.15 million visitors each year. What most folks may not be aware of is that several of the architectural components within the venue are New York City Landmarks and/or listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 

Here's a bit of inspiration for embracing the architectural gems on your next visit, as you revel in the wonders of the creatures that call this Bronx destination home. 

The idea of founding a zoo to promote the study of zoology and preserving wildlife was conceived in 1895 by a group predominantly comprised of members of the Boone and Crockett Club.  This group would go on to found the New York Zoological Society, which would later be renamed to Wildlife Conservation Society, which is the name it goes by today.

Opening its doors to the public on November 8, 1899, The Bronx Zoo featured 843 animals in 22 exhibits, under the leadership of its first zoo director, William Temple Hornaday, who would go to provide 30 years of service at the zoo and have significant input into its overall design.
​
Architecturally speaking the focus herein will be on the zoo's elements that have been recognized for their historical value by both the city of New York and the United States of America. Big picture view, the entire area from the Rainey Memorial Gates entrance on Fordham Road to the far end of Astor Court at Zoo Center are landmarked as of 2000. Now let's look at the specific architectural features within this locale in greater detail.

The Rockefeller Fountain
A gift from William Rockefeller became, what stands as a centerpiece in the circular plaza at the north entrance to Astor Court, now called Fountain Circle.  In 1902, Mr. Rockefeller bought the elaborate marble fountain in Como, Italy, once a famous landmark built in 1872 by Italian sculptor Biagio Catella. The three-tiered, octagonal fountain featuring sculpted sea creatures once stood in the main square, Piazza Cavour, by the lakeside and was purchased by its donor for 3,500 lire (the estimated equivalent then of $637 or $17,600 in today's terms). It was subsequently donated to the Zoological Society by William Rockefeller in 1903, and moved to its present spot in 1910.  The fountain was designated an official New York City Landmark in 1968 and underwent a restoration in 2008. ​
​

The Rainey Memorial Gates
Perhaps one of the most iconic Bronx Zoo features is the magnificent bronze sculpted Rainey Memorial Gates at the original Fordham Road entrance. Crafted by artist Paul Manship in Art Deco style, the double arches feature 22 full-sized sculpted bronze animals and connect to two granite gatekeeper lodges. This New York City designated landmark, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was, in 1934, dedicated as a memorial to noted big game hunter Paul James Rainey and were subsequently listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.


- Elisa


Resources:
en. Wikipedia.org
6 sq feet
NYTimes
2000 NYCLPC Report
1967 NYCLPC Report
Emilio Guerra/Flickr

​

1. Designed by famed architects of the time 
Both Alfred T. Fellheimer and Alen M Stein  were nationally known specialists in railroad station architecture, having originally designed many famed structures including the Grand Central Terminal, also designated a New York City Landmark in 1967.

2. The Railway was supposed to reach as far as Boston 
The former New York, Westchester & Boston Railway, was conceived to eventually reach Boston, but instead it never made it that far north and the electric railway only ran 21 miles from Harlem River Terminal in the Bronx to White Plains in suburban Westchester. 

3. "The Westchester," as the line was popularly known, never made a profit 
There were a number of reasons for this.  One problem was a result of timing and growing progress in transportation.  With the automobile industry beginning to explode by the 1920s and the development of scenic parkways proving a success in managing intracity auto traffic, the NYW&B could not successfully compete as a commuter railroad.  Additionally, at this time, the "Westchester"  offered lower fares but required riders to transfer to the IRT in the Bronx, as opposed to higher fares for a one-seat ride to Grand Central.  Convenience won out as most commuters chose the latter, causing the line to continually lose money.
After forging on in spite of not making a profit, the company declared bankruptcy in 1937, ending service after 25 years.

4. It is the only free-standing National Register building that serves as the entrance to a NYC subway station.
Since the 1940s the building has functioned as the entrance to the 180th Street station of the New York City transit system, with administrative offices on the upper floors.  However, artistically, it is one of a series of fabulously ornate stations that were built along the line in the early 1900's, which include this station (at E. 180th St) and others at the time, including Morris Park, Pelham Parkway, Gun Hill Road, Baychester Avenue, and Dyre Avenue. Giving such attention to detail , with artistic architectural style was unique, especially at a time when other railroad lines settled for sheds or shacks for their stations.

5. The NYW&B was considered state of the art for its time 
Conceived in 1872, it was delayed for a few decades by the Panic of 1873, essentially a depression. The railroad began construction in 1906, after coming out of receivership in the early 1900s,  and built north, with the northernmost stations at Rye and Port Chester opening in 1928 and 1929. When most stations opened in 1912, the NYW&B was considered state of the art for its time, taking power from overhead lines, no grade crossings, high platforms to enable comfortable boarding, and spacious, architecturally attractive ticket offices/station houses.

6. Italian Renaissance Style was a nationwide favorite with architects of the period
According to Emilio Guerra and the 1976 NYCLPC Landmark Designation Report, "The Westchester's" railroad stations ... is one of the two surviving stations inspired by the Italian villa style in the city; the other is the Paulding station nearby on Esplanade. ​

7. The Centennial of the NYW&B was celebrated in 2012 with a renovation project
In 2012, the The New York City Transit Authority budgeted $66.6 million for renovation of the structure led by Lee Harris Pomeroy Architects in association with Weidlinger Associates. Renovations included the conversion of a damp and humid passageway between the administration building and the passenger platforms to a more inviting and brightly lit corridor, as well as new artwork commissioned by Luisa Caldwell.  

8. The clock on the building was not part of the original renovation plans
It's hard to believe that with such a large renovation budget, it did not include the restoration of the clock beneath the sculpture of Mercury on the building's facade.  However, the president of Citnalta Construction Corporation, general contractor for the project, didn't like the building's appearance without a clock and as a result, located a 45-inch diameter clock with Roman numerals and covered its $8,000 price and labor to install it as an extra contribution to the renovation project.

-Elisa
​

Reference:

• www.flickr.com/photos/emilio_guerra/3595178680
• www.forgotten-ny.com/2012/04/new-york-westchester-boston-railroad-part-1/
• en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York,_Westchester_and_Boston_Railroad_Administration_Building
• Dunlap, David W. (2013, February 1). A Revived Century-Old Landmark (Not That One). The New York Times, p A19.
• www.nywbry.com

​As a graduate of Fordham University, it warms my heart to hear stories about graduates from my Bronx Alma Mater. Of course, coming out of this prestigious institution of higher learning are countless success stories in virtually every area of life. I was particularly moved by one graduate’s journey and accomplishments as I paged through my latest issue of Fordham magazine. 

Who would have thought there would be a connection between Fordham’s prestigious law school, a determined African American woman and notorious mob boss, Lucky Luciano. 

In a time when it was the rarest of circumstances for a woman - let alone a black woman to pursue a professional life in law enforcement, Eunice Carter achieved a few firsts. With a dream and s desire from the time she was 8 years old, Ms Carter is quoted as saying that she wanted to be a lawyer “to make sure the bad people went to jail.“

Put the bad people in jail indeed, as she would go on to do. As this granddaughter of slaves persevered in an era when women were not looked upon as equals in the work force, least of all law enforcement, Ms. Carter graduating from Smith University, and went on to earn a law degree from Fordham Law School in 1932.

A graduate of the class of 1932, Ms Carter attended law school while raising her son and working a full-time position as a supervisor in the Harlem division of the Emergency Unemployment Committee.  No easy task even in today’s world of modern conveniences and equal rights. 

After receiving her law degree, she became the first African American woman to serve as a New York assistant district attorney, as well as the only woman and person of color on the team. Her team was led by the future New York governor Thomas E. Dewey and what they would accomplish would go down in the annals of law enforcement history for bringing one of the country’s biggest gangsters to justice.  

According to Fordham magazine article, Pioneering Prosecutor, written by Ray Legendre, Carter's grandson, Yale Law School professor and best-selling author Stephen L. Carter, recounts his grandmother's time at Fordham, her meteoric rise as a prosecutor, and her work on the Charles "Lucky"Luciano case in his new book, Invisible: The Forgotten Story of the Black Woman Lawyer Who Took Down America's Most Powerful Mobster, published last October by MacMillan. 

Spearheading the investigation was Eunice Carter and through her efforts and ability to convince witnesses to attest to the fact that   Luciano ran New York City's brothels, was the proof needed to eventually sentenced the mob boss to 30 to 50 years in prison in 1936.  In speaking about his grandmother, Stephen L. Carter states, "She was black and a woman and a lawyer, a graduate of Smith and the granddaughter of three slaves and one free woman of color, as dazzlingly unlikely a combination as one could image in New York of the 1930's and without her work the Mafia boss would never have been convicted."

An amazing woman and a role model for young girls today, Carter proclaimed in her own words, spoken at the International Council Women triennial conference in Greece years later, "Skill, talent, and ingenuity prevail in woman-kind as well as man-kind. A country or community which fails to allow its women to choose and develop their individual beings in an atmosphere of freedom thrusts away from itself a large part of the human resources which can give it strength and vitality." ​

-Elisa

If you squint your eyes and cover your ears while observing The Andrew Freedman Home, you’d be hard pressed to ever guess that you were standing in the middle of the Grand Concourse. 

Architecturally, this century-old building is designed more akin to a French or Italian Renaissance edifice with its soft gray and yellow limestone rather than structure found on a main avenue in the South Bronx. 

Today, and as of 2012, The Andrew Freedman Home is known as a daycare center as well as an event space venue for a variety of artwork exhibitions in various mediums including photography, live installations and video projections. ​

But just how did this exquisitely designed building originate and for what purpose? The creation of The Andrew Freedman Home was the vision of the man for whom it is named. While there is not much information to be found about Andrew Freedman, which causes me a great deal of frustration, being a history fanatic, I will share the few facts that I was able to ascertain in my research. 

Andrew Freedman was born in NYC in 1860, becoming a successful businessman, who built a multi-million dollar fortune by the end of the 19th century.  There is not much known about his personal life, except that he was Jewish and attended Grammar School No. 35 in lower Manhattan.  It appears that he was never married, nor did he have any children.  Records do not really exist for exactly how he created his personal wealth.  

HIs business accomplishments are, however, pretty impressive. Freedman became the principal owner of the New York Giants of the National League in 1895, after purchasing a controlling interest in the ball club from Cornelius C Van Cott, at a cost of $53,000, which in today's dollar terms would amount to approximately $1,596,148.  He would remain owner until 1902, but not after first purchasing a controlling interest in the Baltimore Orioles of the American League that same year.

According to a New York Times Article published on December 1, 1901, Freedman's difficult personality, which led to many run-ins with his players, resulted in NL presidential candidate Al Spalding calling Freedman an "impossibility in baseball," further stating that the "only condition under which he would accept the Presidency of the National Baseball League would be that Andrew Freedman should be forced out of baseball." Freedman refused.

Apart from baseball, Freedman's financial interests extended across other areas of industry. For one, he was director of the Interborough Rapid Transit Company (IRT), which was founded and owned by August Belmont and John B. McDonald, for which Freedman reportedly invested $1.7 million (or approximately $49,228,077 by today's standards) into the company in 1901 and 1902.

This business mogul also served on the board of directors of the Wright Company, established in 1909 to market the Wright brothers' airplanes in the United States.  Further, as the owner of an ice yacht, named "Haze", Freedman won a pennant race in North Shrewsbury, New Jersey in 1904.  

Quite an interesting resume of business ventures for a man whose methods for financial accumulation is not very clear. According to Christopher Gray's NYTimes article on May 23, 1999, "He (Freedman) had been involved in real estate and subway financing, owned the New York Giants baseball team and was a close associate of the Tammany Hall boss Richard Croker. But Freedman's entry in the authoritative Dictionary of American Biography ventures only that ''by ways that are no longer traceable he achieved a conspicuous success.''"

The facts remain that Andrew Freedman was a man of substantial means, who lived a wealthy lifestyle, realizing that life could very easily take a turn for the worse, leaving even the richest individuals poor and destitute, after he encountered a scare during the Panic of 1907, when he nearly lost his entire fortune. 

His fear would prompt him to create a charitable trust, with which to build a home for older individuals who had lost their fortunes, where they could live in their retirements in a style they had grown accustomed. At the time of his death in 1915, Freedman left an estate valued over $4 million ($99,100,000 in current dollar terms) and bequeathed money to build the Andrew Freedman Home.  

​The home was intended to serve as a retirement home for "aged and indigent persons of both sexes", who had formerly been of "good circumstances" financially, offering each resident a rent free place to live, along with free servants, This exquisite retirement home included formal English gardens, a well-manicured lawn, public rooms with fireplaces and oriental rugs and each private residence contained a white marble shower stall. The Home could accommodate 130 residents at a time.

Interestingly, another prominent Bronx individual, Samuel Untermyer, lawyer, civic leader and former owner of the Yonkers estate which is now Untermyer Park, served as executor of Freedman's estate, and it was he who would oversee the construction of The Andrew Freedman Home, in the purchasing of the land on the Grand Concourse in The Bronx and hiring architects Joseph H. Friedlander and Harry Allan Jacobs to design the two-story building. At a cost of $1 million ($14,620,000 in current dollar terms), the new edifice took two years to construct, being completed and opened in 1924. An expansion would be added between 1928 and 1931,with the addition of two new wings designed by architect, David Levy.

Unfortunately, as the years went by, the trust's money decreased and by 1965, residents were required to pay rent. Shortly thereafter, as the area around the Grand Concourse began to decline, people started to move out.

In 1992, The Andrew Freedman Home was named a New York City Designated Landmark and remains today one of the grandest buildings in the Bronx.

-Elisa

Resources:
* New York Times - December 1, 1901 (reprinted 2012) 
* New York Times - January 4, 1904 (reprinted 2012)
* New York Times - October 3, 1913 (reprinted 2012)
* New York Times - November 23, 1909
* New York Times: Streetscapes/The Andrew Freedman Home; A Retirement Home Built for the Formerly Wealthy By Christopher Gray, May 23, 1999  
* Landmark Preservation Center, 1992

​With all the world traveling I have done through the years as a travel blogger, this past Christmas vacation was my very first visit to the Dominican Republic and to say I loved it would be an understatement!  Only three hours from New York, it is a tropical Caribbean island filled with intoxicating sandy beaches, luxury vacation resorts, fascinating history, and a spirited and passionate culture of people that makes visitors fall in love with this Hispaniola island nation.

Geographically joined with Haiti to the west, the D.R. has had its share of turbulent times in the past, but has grown into a country with a thriving economy. Today it ranks number one as the most visited island in the Caribbean and a popular destination for family vacays as well as weddings and honeymoons. Maybe that is because of its stunning and scenic beaches or perhaps, that visitors can enjoy the beautiful coral reefs while scuba diving or the island's lush landscape for hiking, biking and horseback riding.  

I actually chose to visit the D.R. based on my own personal prerequisites.  First, it was one of the last remaining Caribbean islands I had yet to visit, with a flight that was direct and only a little over three hours.  Since me and my girls were planning to spend less than a week to our chosen destination, I was seeking an island relatively close to New York.  The D.R. fit the bill! My daughters, who have been all over this country, as well as Europe, had never been to the Caribbean. At 12 and 14 and stressed from their rigorous school studies, I thought a nice tropical vacay would do them (and their mom!) some good.  

So, off we went, to spend a portion of our holiday vacation in the delightful D.R., which, would include both Christmas Eve and Day.  A stickler for researching details and important facts about my destinations beforehand, I will admit, I was so eager to just get away and relax, I didn't do any prior investigation. Knowing there was a gorgeous beach was enough information for me.  However, once I had arrived, my education about the D.R. was a series of lessons from both first-hand experience, as well as the knowledge I would garner from natives and some light reading.

The rich culture of the D.R. has made its way to the United States, and specifically to the Bronx, for which Dominicans comprise a large part of its population, imparting their native culture, customs and amiable way of life!  As for the history and specific nuances of this special island, I hope you will enjoy the factual tidbits I've assembled below.  ​

1. The D.R. is the largest economy in the Caribbean and Central American Region
With a thriving economy built on the export of sugar, coffee, and tobacco, the flourishing industries of mining and agriculture and the expansion of tourism, it is the largest economy in the Caribbean and Central American region, and the tenth-largest economy in Latin America.

2. It is the first permanent European settlement in the Americas
February 27, 1844, is the official independence day of the D.R., however, prior to this monumental day, Christopher Columbus visited the island on December 5, 1492, and later founded it, naming it Hispaniola, making The Dominican Republic the site of the first permanent European settlement in the Americas. 

3. The Colonial City of Santo Domingo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
One of 1073 UNESCO World Heritage Sites around the world, the city of Santo Domingo is the capital of the Dominican Republic and one of the Caribbean's oldest cities. The “Zona Colonial” is Santo Domingo's historic center, with its cobblestone streets and buildings dating back to the 1500’s.  The Cathedral of Santa María la Menor, dedicated to St. Mary of the Incarnation was built in 1512 and completed in 1540, making it the first cathedral built in the New World. 

4. The island’s former name was Santo Domingo
In 1804, the western third of the island was separated as a new entity and the new country of Haiti was born. The remaining portion of the  island, at that time, was known as Santo Domingo, for which Haiti ruled over until 1844, at which time the area became independent and was named the Dominican Republic. 

5. The Dominican Republic is the only country in the world to produce a rare blue variety of the silicate mineral pectolite, called Larimar
During my visit, I had an opportunity to chat with one of the managers of the hotel, who told me the story of the stone indigenous to the D.R., called Larimar.  A very beautiful stone, its color changes from white, light-blue, green-blue to deep blue. (Guess what I bought for myself as a souvenir - you guessed it - a lovely Larimar bracelet and earrings!)

What is also interesting is the way in which this stone got its name. ​The story goes, that Miguel Méndez and a Peace Corps volunteer by the name of Norman Rilling rediscovered Larimar in 1974 (which was originally discovered by Father Miguel Domingo Fuertes Loren of the Barahona Parish in the early 20th Century) on a beach at the foot of the Bahoruco Mountain Range, the coastal province of Barahona. Natives believed that the stone came from the sea, and they called the gem Blue Stone. Miguel took his young daughter's name Larissa and the Spanish word for sea (mar) and formed Larimar, to suggest the colors of the Caribbean Sea where it was found.

​6. The Dominican flag is the only country's flag featuring the bible 
Founding father Juan Pablo Duarte designed the Dominican flag, which was adopted on March 21, 1908 making it the only one in the world to have the image of the holy bible in it. The bible is open to the Gospel of John chapter 8, verse 32, which reads: “And the truth shall make you free”. 

The flag is also comprised of three colors: red, white and blue, with each color representing something different. The white of the cross in the center represents salvation, the red rectangles represent the blood of the heroes who fought for the independence, and the blue rectangles stand for liberty.

7. The second-largest number of Major League Baseball players are from the Dominican Republic
Second only to the United States, the D.R. sends more players to MLB than any other country in the world, with two Dominicans, Juan Marichal and Pedro Martínez, inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.  

8. Dominican Oscar de la Renta is one of the best-known fashion designers of the 21st century. 
Born in Santo Domingo, Oscar de la Renta has designed clothing for celebrities and prominent women including Jacqueline Kennedy, Nancy Reagan, Laura Bush, Hillary Clinton, Anna Wintour, Oprah Winfrey, Sandra Bullock, Emma Watson, Victoria Beckham, Cameron Diaz, Penelope Cruz, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jennifer Lawrence, Rihanna, and many more.

9. Merengue!!!
The D.R. is credited with creating the merengue style of music which is a fast-paced, rhythmic dance music.  A blend of a European Waltz, African rhythms, Mazurka from Poland and Cotillion which is originally a French country dance, the merengue is now popular throughout Latin American and the world and the national dance of the Dominican Republic.  

10. The Dominican people are Amazingly Warm, Friendly and Vibrant
To me, perhaps the biggest impression that was left on me and my girls, after spending nearly a week in the D.R. was the friendliness, warmth and vibrant nature of the Dominican people! With their amazing sense of humor, talkative way, love of music and down to eart kindness, it is no wonder this island is a place people are flocking to more and more. 

We had the joy of celebrating Christmas Eve on the island and in a country that is predominantly Catholic, the observance of this holiday is quite reverent.  A beautiful nativity re-enactment was performed on the stage at our resort, which we were comfortably able to view from our suite balcony. A lovely site to behold, being Catholic myself.  

As far as music goes, it was never ending!  From the moment we woke up till 10:30 each night, festive and lively Spanish music was heard throughout the property.  Everyone we had the pleasure of encountering from the moment we arrived in Santiago Airport and throughout our stay was engaging, upbeat and down to earth.  I assure you that I will be returning to the D.R. soon enough!

- Travelin' Elisa

The Fordham section of the Bronx is perhaps best known today as being the home of top-ranking college Fordham University and the handsome grounds of the school's 93-acre campus. But, there is so much more to the history to this area of the borough. 

Ever wonder how Fordham got its name and from where it is derived? Or for that matter, what the changing demographics have been since it was first settled back in the 17th Century?  Let's take a closer look with these 7 Facts About Fordham.

1. The Fordham community was first established by John Archer, A Dutch settler 
John Archer, a Dutchman, was given approval by the English to purchase 3900 acres of land in the area, comprising 6 square miles called Fordham Manor.  As "Lord of the Manor," Archer established his community at 225th Street near the Harlem River in 1666.   
The Manor lasted a little less than 100 years, from 1671 to 1762, during which period sixteen families would establish farms.

2. The name Fordham means a low-lying meadow by a source of water.
Derived from the Anglo-Saxon words "ford" and "ham," which means a low-lying meadow by a source of water, when put together, the name means a ford by a settlement or a wading place, referring to the area's close proximity to the Bronx River.  Fordham also happens to be a surname, and while there is no certainty, the area may have been a reference to John Fordham, a fourteenth-century English priest, according to Raymond Schroth, SJ, in Fordham: A History and Memoir. 

3. Old Fordham Village dates back to the English Colonial Era.
Centered from the intersection of the Grand Concourse and Fordham Road, Old Fordham Village extends north to about 196th Street, south to about 187th Street, east to Southern Boulevard, and west to Jerome Avenue as we know it today.  

However, if you can imagine back in the 1700's when the Bronx was full of large estates and farms, the land that defines Old Fordham Village was originally part of an estate owned by a Dutchman named Reyer Michaelson.  In 1736, Michaelson deeded the house and the land to his daughter and her husband, Benjamin Corsa and in 1751, Fordham Manor was built, which stayed in the family until 1787.    ​

4. Fordham University's Rose Hill Campus was once part of a large estate called "Rose Hill" 
Today, the name Rose Hill is most commonly associated with the Bronx campus of Fordham University. Did you ever wonder from where the name originated?  Rose Hill was the name given to the Fordham Estate on this site in 1787 by then-owner, Robert Watts, in honor of his family's ancestral home of the same name near Edinburgh in Scotland. Most of the then-estate is now part of the Rose Hill Campus of Fordham University.


5. Boston Post Road was a critical Crossing point for General George Washington's Continental Army 
During the time of our Revolutionary War, roads were neither modernized nor paved as we have today. One of these such roads was Kings Road, which went through the rural estates and farm area of Old Fordham Village.  It linked Colonial New York and towns and villages north toward Boston.

During the American Revolution, it was a critical crossing point for General George Washington's Continental Army retreating toward White Plains to safely escape from New York while being chased by the Colonial British and Hessian Forces. There were many American Patriots that lived in this area, which helped as well. After the revolution, the Kings Road was renamed the Boston Post Road, but in the area of Fordham, Boston Post Road was renamed Fordham Road and became part of U.S. Route 1 in 1926. which it is still called today.  

​6. The First Belmont Stakes were held in Fordham at Jerome Park
The first Belmont Stakes, the oldest of the three U.S. Triple Crown races was held at Jerome Park Racetrack in 1867 and continued to be run there until 1890.  The racetrack opened in 1866 in the northwest part of Fordham by financier Leonard W. Jerome, on the Old Bathgate Estate.    

7. Fordham is a Melting Pot of Cultures and Ethnicities
Fordham began to see a huge growth in its population at the beginning of the 20th Century.  Largely due to the convenience of numerous subway lines between Manhattan and the Bronx as well as the development of then-new and modern housing, particularly in the 1920's, middle-class and working-class families from Manhattan migrated north to this section of the Bronx. Predominantly white from about 1920 till 1970, community residents included Irish, Jewish, Italian and Albanian.  As these groups began to move to the suburbs and out of state, the ethnic make-up of the area is now predominately Latin American and African American.

 ​No matter how old I get I can still feel the same excitement that overtook me as a college student, the week of Thanksgiving Day!

Each year, at that time, I am viscerally transported back to my college years at Fordham University with those same anticipatory butterflies in my belly, remembering the carefree joy of returning home for the long weekend, along with my other peers, and heading off for an evening of spontaneous fun on Thanksgiving Eve.

More than thirty years later, these memories are as clear as day, and prompt so many others recollections to come rushing back from my Bronx days.  At the time I went off to college, most of the kids, with which I was friends, opted (for the most part) to approach university education in one of two ways.  Either to "go away," meaning, heading off to a different city or state, usually many hours away; or to attend a college located nearby, live at home and invest in a new car.

Well, I didn't choose either option.  I wanted the experience of campus life and living away from home, but I chose to do it within the confines of New York City. So, I left Queens and headed to the Bronx for four years!

One of my absolute favorite memories during my days as a Bronx resident, was the summer I lived on Arthur Avenue.  It was the summer of my sophomore year, when a few of us decided to take classes to get ahead.  Public Speaking was the course, and boy, was it fun.  I had not as yet gained my "voice" and lost my shy demeanor for speaking in front of groups, which is not the case today, as I've given lectures, led seminars and presentations to audiences as large as five thousand, and this class was where it all began and led me on my path to becoming a communications major. 

My roommate, at the time, also a communications major, was the one who convinced me to take the course and stay in the Bronx for Summer break.  As luck would have it, a mutual friend, who shared an apartment on Arthur Avenue with two others, was going away, thereby leaving one of the bedrooms vacant, for which we too gals were offered the temporarily available room.  Did I mention that our summer roommates were guys?  Holy cow, it was a bit different than living with girls when it came to housekeeping and cleaning.  But, thrilled to have a place to live, we brought along our respective feminine energy and made the apartment home for the time of our stay.

Here's what I LOVED about living in Little Italy - I felt so incredibly safe!  Yes, at the time, which was the mid-eighties, Bronx Little Italy - was rated one of the safest neighborhoods in America. I remember never having a care walking around in the evening, long after it had become dark.  There was such a sense of closeness within the confines of the Belmont area.  Not to mention, a warmth and familiarity that we developed with the local merchants!

I can remember coming home very late - which was actually early morning (oh, to have that kind of energy and stamina for all-nighters now!), and being overtaken by the smell of baking bread.  Occasionally we would buy some in these wee hours and retreat to our veranda, as we affectionately called our fire escape, and savor the taste as we would bite into our warm, baked loaves, in the soft summer breeze,waiting for the sun to rise.

Another thing that stands our quite prominently to me, was the parking situation in the neighborhood. There was no need to feed the meter.  I'm not sure how that came to be, but suffice it to say, I didn't ask, and just enjoyed the benefit of not having to worry about expired meters or the prospect of tickets!

Lastly, the taste of the cold cuts and sandwiches from probably, the best deli in the entire world, Butchie's is embedded on my taste buds.  Sadly, I do not know what happened to this very small, corner delicatessen, since after I graduated, I moved back to Queens and a number of years had passed till I made it back to Little Italy, at which point, Butchie's was gone. To this day, I still talk about the incredible chicken cutlet hero I bought there.  A thinly sliced, breaded cutlet on semolina Italian bread with salt, pepper and a bit of mayo.  Nothing has ever compared to this sandwich!

Three decades later, I regularly frequent Arthur Avenue with my teenage girls, both of which LOVE this Bronx neighborhood as much as me and we are now making new memories together!

With  a greater and growing demand by consumers for healthy food options, more and more food retailers are meeting the needs of this expanding market. In addition to a new generation of health-conscious and compassionate eaters, older generations are changing their eating habits as well, resulting in an overall burgeoning trend towards lighter and plant-based diets.  Smart business owners around the world are embracing this movement in their menu offerings and the Bronx is no exception.

Take for example, one of Third Avenue's newest eateries, Freshly Made.  The collaborative effort of two Bronx female residents, Freshly Made embodies the current healthful approach to eating.

Founded by Angi and Marielys in March 2018, this intimate breath of "fresh food" destination has received a warm welcome from the community at large, with  an expanding customer base of regulars and newbies.  ​

My first encounter with Freshly Made was during my visit to the Bronx Night Market in Fordham Plaza, this past Summer.  Always on the lookout for vegan eateries and foodie destinations, I was pleased as punch to meet a new "mostly vegan" food vendor at this pop-up market.

After some friendly conversation, a delicious wedge of fresh watermelon and a ginger shot, I was informed that  in addition to doing pop-up markets, this healthy fare company also had a brick and mortar location in the Bronx.  While the Bronx does not, as yet have an extensive vegan food scene as some other New York City boroughs, I was most encouraged that the trend was off to a start in this beloved borough.  I knew I would soon be paying a visit to their store location on Third Avenue!

And that is precisdely what I did! 

The space is intimate with counter service for their menu of smoothies, shakes, healthy shots, salads, wraps and paninis - all of which are customizable with ingredients of choice.  Open display cases line the store, for visibility to patrons to select their items of choice.

I was thrilled that most of their menu is vegan, offering a world of possibilities to the plant-based dietary needs of this exploding segment of eaters. As a result, this Bronx foodie destination is now one of hundreds of Travelin' Cousins Vegan Approved foodie destinations around the world!  But, I digress.

Enjoying a more relaxed and quiet atmosphere in the store, I had a chance to chat with co-owner Angi.  Friendly and welcoming, she told me how Freshly Made was something she, and business partner, Marielys always wanted to do.

Both emigrated as little girls to the States from the Dominican Republic. and havie been friends since their youth  With a shared entrepreneurial spirit and desire to offer their Bronx community healthy and alternative food options, they opened Freshly Made just eight months ago.

According to Angi, "the neighborhood has embraced Freshly Made,for the lighter options we offer to the local community."   Their menu is unique to the neighborhood in which their store resides and from the success they continue to experience, it is safe to say, these business owners clearly filled a void in the area.

​So, what do you think was next for me?  Yup - a  tasting!

I decided to start with a smoothie, for which I relied on Angi to assist me in making the blend.  Her suggestion of blueberries, mango, banana and green apple was a yummy choice!!  It was perfectly quenching and tasty.

With my smoothie in hand, I was ready to continue with another selection. Although customization is possible for any of their menu items, with the majority of the ingredients being vegan-friendly, I chose to try their Healthy Vegan Wrap, which contained many of the items I would have selected anyway.  Filled with Hummus, Roasted Peppers, Tomatoes and Spinach, it was filling and satisfying and most definitely fresh.

During my short visit, patrons were coming in and out, many of which appeared to be regulars, evidenced by their conversation with the staff, a great indication that this new foodie destination is recognized as an important "go-to." 

Equally exciting is that these Bronx business owners are female, bringing some diversity to the area and hopefully, an inspiration to other young entrepreneurial woman to follow their business dreams! Kudos to these two neighborhood trend setters!

​-Elisa

For Your Information

Freshly Made
2535 Third Avenue
Bronx, NY
(646) 455-2535
Instagram: @freshlymade_sobro
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