William Bellmer appointed new village historian
Village of Garden City Mayor Nicholas P. Episcopia presented Suzanne Alvey with a village citation at the last board of trustees meeting in recognition of her two-year tenure as village historian.
“With heartfelt appreciation, we present to you this proclamation not only to recognize your talents but the integrity and dedication you continue to demonstrate in all professional and civic endeavors,” Episcopia said.
She and archivist William Bellmer have begun the arduous process of digitizing local newspapers. The articles and photos will be accessible to the public via www.LongIslandMemories.org, a valuable resource for all Long Islanders.
Alvey also established “Garden City History Month” at the Garden City Public Library to educate residents about the village’s exciting local history and helped plan a permanent space inside the library for a historical “mini museum.”
In addition to taking hundreds of photos and writing numerous articles highlighting Garden City’s rich history, Alvey also serves as an active Garden City Historical Society board member as well as a member of Garden City’s Civic Beautification Committee, which she chaired for two years.
Alvey, in conjunction with the Garden City Historical Society, is in the process of collaborating with the British Broadcasting Corporation’s Boundless Productions series, Great American Railway Journeys. The television show will feature Garden City in one of its segments, emphasizing A.T. Stewart and his connection to the Long Island Railroad, as well as contemporary views of the village.
“I’ve enjoyed my position as village historian, working with Bill Bellmer as archivist,” Alvey said. “I will continue to collaborate with the newly appointed village historian on upcoming historical projects as assistant village historian.”
At the Aug. 20, board of trustees meeting, Episcopia appointed William Bellmer Garden City’s newest village historian.
“For a relatively young village (Hempstead and Roslyn were settled 225 years before the village’s 1869 founding), Garden City
has an extensive history,” Bellmer said. “My intention is to make that easily available to residents and interested others. This has been accomplished so far by the digitization of some 1,500 images from our archives, which can be viewed online at the Garden City section of www.LongIslandMemories.org.”
Markers are also being installed at various historic locations which include QR codes to allow those interested to obtain further data via their Smartphones, according to Bellmer.
“Having lived in the village almost half as long as it has existed, I have had a chance to see its development from a place of many open fields to the vibrant area in the center of Nassau County that it is today,” Bellmer said.
Books and other memorabilia about the village and other parts of Long Island are available to view (by appointment) in the Stewart Room at the rear of the Garden City Public Library. Questions can be emailed to historian@gardencityny.net. Both Bellmer and Alvey are always interested in items that residents might uncover in their own archives that further illustrate Garden City’s history.
