[ back ]
Hillsdale Manor open house is May 4
(by Kathryn A. Burger - April 23, 2008)
 |
Photos Courtesy Of Pascack Historical Society
This is a postcard circa 1911 of the Hillsdale Manor railroad station served by the Erie Railroad. It was located on the eastside of the tracks at Park View Drive and was built to accommodate all the vacationers who escaped the city by coming to the
Pascack
Valley , where advertisements of the day announced, ‘the air is fresh and the water is pure.’
|
What do the Lincoln assassination, the first official Hillsdale lawmen, and the first woman to manage a theater in the have in common? These seemingly disparate subjects are all connected to the
Pascack
Valley , more specifically to the area once – and still – known as the Manor section of Hillsdale.
On Sunday, May 4, the Pascack Historical Society will host an open house, “Hillsdale Manor Day,” where visitors can learn about the unbroken thread that runs through the fabric of the life of actress Laura Keene (1826-1873) and continues to weave its way through her descendants, one of whom is a life-long resident of the
Pascack
Valley .
Hillsdale Manor
But first, some background on “Hillsdale Manor,” supplied by Francesca Moskowitz, president of the society, whose grandparents, Vincent (1883-1957) and ????? Orfini, raised their seven children there. “Hillsdale Manor is located in the northeastern corner of Hillsdale.” It stretches from Lincoln Avenue, south to Knickerbocker Avenue and west from St. Mary and William streets to Broadway. “From the late 1880s until the 1950s, ‘the Manor,’ as all its residents called it, maintained its own distinct personality. Many different ethnic groups lived there, bringing with them their cultural traditions and sharing them with their neighbors.”
The Hillsdale Manor Association was formed in November of 1932. Moskowitz said, “The association maintained its own ‘clubhouse’ building at the northwest corner of Kinderkamack Road and Ralph Avenue. Sanctioned boxing matches, as well as dances, musicals and family events were held there regularly.”
The association also had its own newspaper, The Manor News. “It was written, published and printed by my grandfather,” Moskowitz said. “In the Oct. 15, 1933 edition, the association invited the public to a Halloween party: 'Saturday, October 21 afternoon, bring all your children to the Halloween party. Games and refreshments all for 10 cents. If you have no money, come anyway.'”
|
|
|
Hillsdale Manor resident Vincent Orfini (1883-1957) wrote, published and printed two newspapers, ‘The Manor News’ for the Hillsdale Manor Association, and ‘The Gazette.’ The latter, according to his granddaughter, Francesca Moskowitz, was published, ‘now and again in the interest of better government.’ Copies of both will be available for perusal at ‘Hillsdale Manor Day’ at the Pascack Historical Society on Sunday, May 4.
|
The Laura Keene/Lincoln connection
At its peak, Hillsdale Manor was a popular vacation resort, Moskowitz said. “It had its own railroad station, store and hotels. Many noted celebrities lived there, including the famous artist/philosopher Albert Leighton Rawson (1829-1902) and his wife Emma Taylor, daughter of Laura Keene, the most famous stage actress of her day, who was appearing in ‘Our American Cousin’ the night Lincoln was shot. She pillowed Abraham Lincoln’s head on her lap at Ford’s Theatre,” after he was shot by John Wilkes Booth and before Lincoln was taken to a boarding house across 10th Avenue, where he died.
Laura Keene and The Manor
Laura Keene’s grandsons, who Moskowitz describes as, “the infamous Rawson twins,” Albert “Tex” and
Alpheus “Dusty” Rawson, grew up in The Manor. “They were born in
New York City in 1878 but spent most of their lives in Hillsdale Manor,” she said. Their escapades and mischief were covered regularly by the New York Times, she said. They were arrested often but never convicted,” she added. They went on to become Hillsdale’s first lawmen.
The ‘thread’ continues
Laura Keene’s great, great granddaughter, Doris Daher Levitzki of River Vale, who, Moskowitz says, “closely resembles her famous ancestor,” will greet visitors at the museum during the open house. “She will be dressed in a Civil War era gown.
Doris ’ first cousin, Evelyn Mills Schefsky of Barnagat, the author of ‘The Rawson Geneology,’ will also be on hand to answer questions about her famous family.
Memories and memorabilia
The Pascack Historical Society encourages visitors to the open house, that will be underway from 1 to 4 p.m., to bring with them their “Manor memories,” photos, artifacts and memorabilia to share with other attendees. Oral histories will be taken and the event taped for placement in the society’s archival center.
Admission to the open house is free and reservations are not required. Complimentary finger foods, cake and beverages will be served during open house hours. The museum is barrier-free. For further information about the society, directions to the museum at 19 Ridge Ave., and upcoming events, visit www.pascackhistoricalsociety.com or call 201-573-0307.
On Sunday, Sept. 21, the Pascack Historical Society will present, ‘Laura Keene and her Pacack Valley Legacy,” at the museum at 2 p.m. Francesca Moskowitz, president of the society, will give attendees an in-depth look at this Anglo/American’s life – a single mother of two who left England almost penniless and became America’s most famous actress and the first to manage a theatre in the United States.
Kathryn A. Burger's e-mail address is burger@northjersey.com.
[ back ]
