The year 2013 proved to be an exceptionally active year for the Levittown Historical Society, with our participation in such regular annual community events as the Levittown Memorial Day Parade, the Levittown Fire Department Open House, the LEAD Walk, Lazy Days of Summer, Winter Festival, and the Levittown Community Recognition Night where we honored volunteer Geri Raab for her tireless endeavors in sundry capacities over the years; not the least of which has been as a teacher in the many elementary school field trips to the Historical Society’s open-to-the-public museum of at the Levittown Memorial Educational Center.
In September, we hosted a book-signing with former Levittown resident John Clinton Gray featuring readings from his memoir-cum-anthology The Gift of Seeds and the following month, the MacArthur High School Class of 1963 reunion.
The Society’s general meetings at the Levittown Public Library in 2013 presented the public with a variety of programs from visits by such legacy organizations as the Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War and Daughters of the British Empire, to organizations and individuals working to preserve local heritage such as Barbara Armoire of St. John’s of Jerusalem’s Church, Levittown’s oldest extant landmark.
In April, cinematographer Jake Gorst screened his award-winning Modern Tide: Mid-20th Century Architecture on Long Island which featured several historians, art critics, and architects. In May, Vincent Casale of the Long Island Writer’s Guild spoke about his book
The Cparazzi, a memoir of his experiences hob-knobbing with the who’s who? of Hollywood as the NYPD’s film liaison. November’s meeting opened the floor to Society members and the public who were asked to bring in some family heirloom, conversation piece, or artifact of historic interest.
Last October the Society hosted its annual Levittown Idol, a youth talent contest at the held at the Levittown Hall.
The Society also owes a special thanks to Eagle Scout Savvas Papadopoulus who reorganized the Museum’s office and archival/storage areas and built a new sign for the Museum’s entrance.
Throughout 2013, the Levittown Historical Society’s museum received droves of patrons from school children, journalists, historians, out-of-staters [as well as a number of tourists from abroad] eager to learn more about our community’s extraordinary historical legacy. We continue to be at the epicenter of a growing number of people from other historical societies, preservationist groups, museums, civic groups, and such Online venues as Levittownpatch and Facebook dedicated to sharing historical writings, memories, vintage photographs and memorabilia. It’s a labor of love amongst our volunteers and, in 2014, we entreat others to come and join us.
Paul Manton, Vice President of the Levittown Historical Society
