Westchester County Executive George Latimer Designates the Westchester County Historical Society as County Historian

December 20, 2018 -- In recognition of the invaluable need to preserve the rich history of Westchester County, County Executive George Latimer has both announced the designation of the Westchester County Historical Society as the official Westchester County Historian, and added new members to Westchester County’s Historic Preservation and Advisory Committee (HPAC). The appointment tasks the Westchester County Historical Society with the identification, collection and preservation of historical and archeological records significant to the County, making those artifacts available to the public. HPAC assists the Department of Public Works and Transportation, the Parks Department, the Planning Department and others with classifying and maintaining historic and archeological resources on County-owned properties, enhancing the value of these cultural resources.

Latimer said: “Westchester County is home to several properties of historical significance, and it is our job to ensure that these locations are protected. From Playland Amusement Park in Rye to the Tarrytown Lighthouse, and the Westchester County Center in between, Westchester County is a better place because of its heritage, and the historically significant buildings and properties owned by the County are integral to its character. My administration has appointed several new members to HPAC this year, in an effort to cultivate this important work.”

Executive Director of the Westchester County Historical Society Katie Hite said: “WCHS is delighted to be able to serve the County as County historian. It is an efficient and cost effective way to make the history of the county accessible to as many of our citizens as possible.”

The members of Westchester County HPAC are as follows:

  • Barbara Davis, City Historian of New Rochelle

  • Susan Dublin, Archeologist of the American Museum of Natural History

  • Marilynn Glasser, President of “Parks & Pastimes”

  • Katie Hite, Executive Director of Westchester County Historical Society

  • Bruce MacDonald, President of Ashwood Restorations

  • Susan Morison, Former Director of the Rye Historical Society

  • Suzanne Nolan, Landscape Architect

  • Susanne Pandich, Manager of Public Programs for the Rockefeller Brothers Fund at Pocantico

  • Anne Stillman, Executive Director of the Bird House

  • Russel Watsky, President of Russel Watsky, Inc.

Westchester County is home to over 30 properties of historical significance, seven of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These locations have long served as strong economic drivers for the County’s booming tourism industry.

The properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places are as follows:

  • Playland, Rye

  • Marshlands, including the John Jay Property, Rye

  • Hartford House, Valhalla

  • Bronx River Parkway Reservation, including the Westchester County Center in White Plains and Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla

  • Tarrytown Lighthouse, Tarrytown

  • Merestead, Mount Kisco

  • Miller Farmhouse, North White Plains