Play Video Slide Show of Richmond Hill Click on the image above to play a video slideshow in Windows Media format. [10 MB - 3:56 mins.]
An early Twentieth Century newspaper advertisement for Richmond Hill. Click on image to enlarge [193 KB]. Each of the following links is to the Richmond Hill Historical Society web site and will open in a new window. Close that window out to return here. Visit the Society's web site Email the Richmond Hill Historical Society Visit the Society's Archival Museum The Richmond Hill Historical Society Archival Museum has moved to the Kearns Funeral Home at 85-66 115th Street, corner of Myrtle Avenue, in Richmond Hill. Visits are by appointment only. To schedule one, email the Richmond Hill Historical Society. View a slideshow of old Richmond Hill Featuring old photographs and vintage picture postcards of "Victorian" Richmond Hill. "If You're Thinking of Living in Richmond Hill", by Donna Shaman, (The New York Times April 18, 1984). The history of Richmond Hill Places of historical interest in Richmond Hill Suggested walking tours of Richmond Hill List of old / new Richmond Hill street names Old maps of Richmond Hill The Society's board of directors Richmond Hill Links About the Richmond Hill Historical Society Join the Richmond Hill Historical Society. Sample the Book View sample pages of Images of America: Richmond Hill, the book written by Carl Ballenas and Nancy Cataldi by clicking here. The book is also available from The Richmond Hill Historical Society, and Barnes & Noble. Click on the image above to enlarge and read a real estate advertisement for Richmond Hill from an 1872 edition of the New York Times.

News from and about Richmond Hill and the
Richmond Hill Historical Society

Visit the Society's Web Site
Email The Richmond Hill Historical Society
Richmond Hill Online Community's Message Board

[Place your cursor over each link for a link description.]

Jahn's in Richmond Hill Closes
November 27, 2007
Click on the link below to view the Queens Crap blog about the closing of Jahn's Ice Cream Parlor.
Click here to read the story


Richmond Hill: A Story In Architecture
November 19, 2007
David Quintana's "Lost in the Ozone" blog carries the text and pictures of Queens Chronicle articles about Richmond Hill and the Richmond Hill Historical Society's tenth anniversary.
Click here to read the articles


FEMA Request to the Richmond Hill Historical Society
From: "Safier, Lisa" [Lisa.Safier@dhs.gov]
Date: October 29, 2007 4:29:53 PM EDT
To: Nancy cataldi
Subject: FEMA Request to Richmond Hill Historical Society
Dear Ms. Cataldi:
   As you may be aware, the storm on August 8 resulted in the counties of Queens and Kings being designated federal disaster areas. This designation allows the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide assistance to homeowners, renters and business owners who suffered damage and whose losses are not covered by insurance. But, time is running out for people to be eligible.
   November 16, 2007 is the last day for people to register with FEMA and be eligible to apply for funding to pay for their losses and make repairs.
   Could you help us get the word out to your constituents? Could we send you via e-mail a flyer to post or distribute with all the critical information and press releases as they become available?
   We also have flyers available in the following languages: Arabic, Creole, Hindi, Korean, Mandarin, Russian, Spanish, Urdu and Yiddish, Please let me know if you need a flyer in any of these languages.
   If you have any questions, I can be reached at 212-437-0463.
   Thank you very much for helping us to reach those in need in your community.
Sincerely,
Lisa Safier
[Department of Homeland Security]


RHHS Class of 1968 40 year HS Reunion
September 29, 2007
    LOOKING FOR THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS FROM THE GRADUATING CLASS OF 1968 FROM RICHMOND HILL HIGH SCHOOL FOR OUR 40TH REUNION:
    JOAN KAUFMAN, LEAH KISS, ANDY SMITH, RANDY KOPET, RHONA BIENSTOCK, MICHELLE BERNSTEIN, JOSHUA BRAND, EVELYN PICKER, ANDREW FALKE, AVIVA FEIGENHEIMER, JOAN KLINGEL, JEFFREY KLEIN, MADELINE LAMBERT, NOEL KURZ, JEANETTE KAUPFERMAN, DEBORAH MARTIN, JONATHEN MAILMAN, SUSAN MARGOLIES, EVELYN MAURMEYER, LINDA GOTTLIEB, TOM MALONEY, MICHAEL MC CABE, DIANE O'NEIL, TYARA PALACINO, BARBARA PARNESS, ANDREW PAUKER, DEBORAH ROPPOLO, SHELLY ROSENFELD, KATHY SANDER, HARRIET RUBENSTEIN, NORMAN SATZ, KAREN SCHNEIDERMAN, CATHERINE SCARLATA, ISABEL SILVERMAN, KAREN SIEHS, ELLEN STRAUSS, JUDI STRASSBURGER, JEANNE WEISSMEIER, STEPHEN WEINBAUM, CHERYL ZIPPERSTEIN, JOSHUA WOLF
Thank you.
Alicia Parker (Jones)
[To contact Alicia Parker (Jones) click here.]
Link for the RHHS Class of 1968 40 year HS Reunion


September 5, 2007
I lived in Richmond Hill and attended RHHS, graduating in 1968. We're planning a 40th reunion on August 9, 2008 at the Douglaston Manor. Please visit our web site:
    www.rhhs40reunion.com
since we're trying to reach as many classmates as possible. John Hakimi recommended this site and I remember Kew Gardens as a beautiful area. Thank you and you may publish my email.
Edna Neuburger-Calastro
EJCNewScreen@aol.com


Richmond Hill of yesteryear
August 11, 2007
The Queens Crap Blog offers up a hard hitting article about the deteriorating quality of life in Richmond Hill caused by illegal overdevelopment.
Click here to read the article


Marching in the Forest Hills Memorial Day Parade
June 18, 2007
Editor's Note:  Many thanks to Advantage Forest Hills Realty for this mpeg of the Richmond Hill Historical Society marching in the Forest Hills Memorial Day Parade. Click the "Play" button - - of the media player below to see the video. [2.8 MB]

Richmond Hill's Fading History
March 22, 2007
This week's edition of the Queens Chronicle has a story about the demolition of Simonson's Funeral Home and the continuing fight to save the Republican club.
Click here to read the story


Richmond Hill - Like A Step Back In Time
December 14, 2006
Click on the link below to read an article about Richmond Hill in the current edition of the Queens courier. The link will open in a new window. close out the window to return here.
Click here to read the story


Saint Benedict Joseph Labre CELEBRATES
November 14, 2006
The following website will allow you to read and see the wonderful day that we shared on November 5. On that day we dedicated a historical plaque that was donated by the Richmond Hill Historical Society. It was a heart felt event and one that will not be forgotten. Enjoy!
Carl Ballenas
[To contact Carl Ballenas, click here]
Click here to view the web site


Beauty Mark, Yes; Landmark, No
November 11, 2006
Click on the link below to read a lengthy article about Richmond Hill in the Real estate section of the Novermber 12, 2006 New York Times. The link will open in a new window. Close out the window to return here.
    Click here to read the story
The Times ran an article about Richmond Hill back in 1984, and you can read that article by clicking on this link:
    Click here to read the story


Anthony Zabrocki
October 11, 2006
Editor's Note:  Condolences to the family of Tony Zabrocki who passed away on October 7th. Tony had attended a Holy Child Jesus class reunion just last August. Click here. Click on the links below for his funeral arrangements
http://www.longislandvettes.com
http://www.corvettecavalry.com


Spirits Alive! Slide Show
October 3, 2006
The Kew Gardens Civic Association web site has a slideshow of last weekend's Spirits Alive! event at Maple Grove Cemetery in which friends and members of the Richmond Hill Historical Society portrayed some of the famous and not so famous people buried there.
Click here to view the slideshow on another web site


Holy Child Jesus Class of '63 Reunion
September 1, 2006
Click on thumbnail to enlarge.
Click on the thumbnail to view of photograph of the Holy Child Jesus Class of 1963 Reunion held last August 5th.


Richmond Hill in AM New York
August 10, 2006
Click on the link below to read a feature story about Richmond Hill in today's edition of the AM New York newspaper. The link will open in a new window. Close out the window to return here.
Click here to read the full story


'65 RHHS Reunion Weekend a Success
October 10, 2005
The '65 R.H.H.S. Reunion Weekend was a big success....Party, School Tour, Jahn's was FUN ,FUN ,FUN!Thanks to all who helped in the planning, and to those who attended .let's not wait 10 to repeat.
Edi Beckler Goldberg
lv2trvlny@aol


Demolition of Richmond Hill Homes Angers Many
September 24, 2005
Despite the recent downzoning, Victorian houses in Richmond Hill continue to be demolished - often for no good reason. Click on the link below to read the full story. The page will open in a new window. Close out the window to return here.
Click here to read the full story.


Spirits Alive! at Maple Grove Cemetery
September 24, 2005
Click on thumbnail to view slideshow.
Last Saturday, the Richmond Hill Historical Society and Maple Grove Cemetery presented an interactive walking tour in which performers dressed in period costumes and portrayed notable persons buried or memorialized in the Cemetery s historical monumental section. Click on the thumbnail to view a slideshow of the event.


July 24, 2005
Editor's Note:  I have been elected to the Board of Directors of the Richmond Hill Historical Society.
http://www.richmondhillhistory.org/directors.html


Request from the 102nd Precinct
March 26, 2005
I AM A POLICE OFFICER IN THE 102PCT WHICH COVERS KEW GARDENS. I AM THE COMMUNITY COP FOR KEW GAEDENS. I AM LOOKING FOR ANY OLD PHOTOS OR ITEMS OF THE 102PCT. WE WANT TO DISPLAY IN THE PCT. PLEASE CONTACT ME AT THE 102PCT. WILL MAKE COPIES OF ANY PHOTOS AND RETURN THEM. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP.
PO JEFF FISHER
102PCT- 718 805-3200


Down Zoning
March 25, 2005
The latest edition of The Queens Chronicle newspaper has an article about the down zoning of Kew Gardens and Richmond Hill. Each of the following links will open in a new window. Close out the window to return here.
       Click here to read the full story.
For links to the New York City Department of Planning web pages about the down zoning, click here and here.


Graffiti Removal by NYPD
March 17, 2005
At the 102nd Police Precinct Community Council meeting this week, we were urged by Deputy Inspector Michael Blake to enlist (and get others to enlist) in the City's Graffiti Removal Program being carried out by the NYPD, in our area by the 102nd Precinct. The NYPD will be overseeing the removal of graffiti on public and private properties starting in April. However, in order to work on private property they must have permission to enter and a release of liability. So far they have received 100 such releases and would like to have 200 for the campaign to be carried out efficiently. Click on the link below to download a copy of the Release form to be submitted by the Property owner or merchant, etc. who seeks graffiti removal Copies are also available at the 102nd Precinct.
Murray Berger
Kew Gardens Civic Association
Click here to download a copy of the Release form
[To contact Murray Berger, click here]


Race Against Time To Landmark Richmond Hill
March 11, 2005
The current edition of the local Queens Chronicle newspaper has the latest news about the Richmond Hill Historical Society's effort to win Landmark status. Click on the link below to read the story online. The link will open in a new window. Close out the window to return here.
Read the full story.
Also see the March 5, 2005 entry, below.


BULLETIN
March 9, 2005
At about 2:20pm today, Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum, after presiding over the City Council vote on the Kew Gardens/Richmond Hill Rezoning bill (as part of a package of other bills), declared the Rezoning passed by a vote of 49-0. During the vote, Melinda Katz, our Council Member and Chair of the Land Use Committee, paid tribute to the work of the community and its struggle over the last fifteen years. She thanked those present [in the balcony were Ivan Mrakovcic (Chair of Queens Community Board 9), along with Dominick Pistone and Murray Berger of the Kew Gardens Civic Association] and after the vote, when she emerged from the Council Chamber at our request, all three of us thanked her personally --- and enthusiastically.
Murray Berger
Kew Gardens Civic Association
[To contact Murray Berger, click here]


Town Hall Meeting
March 5, 2005
Click on thumbnail to enlarge.
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg attended a Town Hall Meeting last Thursday night (March 3rd) in the auditorium of Our Lady Queen of Hope School in Middle Village. Nancy Cataldi, president of the Richmond Hill Historical Society, presented the Mayor with copies of hundreds of letters asking that Richmond Hill be designated an historic district. The letters included many from school children and from Queens County public officials such as Queens Borough President Helen Marshall (whose letter was at the top of the stack). All of the letters urged the Mayor and Landmarks Preservation Commissioner Tierney to reconsider the the Commission's initial refusal to grant the designation. Nancy spoke to the Mayor on his radio show several days before at which time Mayor Bloomberg promised to have Commissioner Tierney contact her. Afterwards, Mayor Bloomberg posed for this photograph with members of the Richmond Hill Historical Society and New York City Councilman, Dennis Gallagher, who received a "Man of the Year" award.


More on Historic District Status for Richmond Hill
February 20, 2005
Editor's Note: The New York Times weighs in today with an article on Richmond Hill's seemingly futile battle to get Historic District Status from the Landmarks Preservation Commission. You can read the story on the Times web site by clicking the link below. The link will open in a new window. Close out the window to return here. The Times web site requires a subscription. If you do not have one, use the following member ID and password to enter.
       Member ID: oldkewgardens
       Password: oldkewgardens
Click here to read the article.


Landmark Designation Denied
The Landmarks Commission has denied Landmark designation to Richmond Hill, although on some dubious grounds. The Richmond Hill Historical Society and others are not giving up.
Cick here to read the story in The Queens Chronicle.


Your Help Is Needed
January 16, 2005
Since 1997, the Richmond Hill Historical Society has been working to have Richmond Hill designated an Historic District. Richmond Hill needs that designation to save its turn of the century Victorian homes from destruction, to protect landmarks such as The Republican Club, and to preserve the character of the neighborhood for the future generations. We must have your help to make this happen. Please write The Landmarks Preservation Commission and urge it as strongly as possible to make that designation. Everyday that the Commission postpones the matter we lose more of what has made our community so special. Handwritten letters are usually more effective than typewritten, but please do whatever you can. If at all possible, please try to have the letters arrived on or about January 24th. The letters should be addressed to:
       Commissioner Robert Tierney
       Landmarks Preservation Commission
       9th Floor North
       1 Centre Street
       New York, New York 10007

Nancy Cataldi
President, Richmond Hill Historical society
nancycataldi@earthlink.net


New York Times Article
January 9, 2005
Today's New York Times has an article about the bingo games featured at the old RKO Keith's Theater. To read the article on the Times web site, click on the link below. If you are not registered to access the Times online, use the following:
       username:  oldkewgardens
       password:  oldkewgardens
The following link will open in a new window. Close out the window to return here.
Click here to read the article.


Students Receive $10K Grant To Study Journalist Jacob Riis
The Queens Chronicle reports: "A class of honor students from the Immaculate Conception School in Jamaica Estates has received a grant from an Atlanta-based non-profit organization to study Queens pioneer photojournalist Jacob Riis under the tutelage of the Richmond Hill Historical Society."
Click here to read the full story.


Article in the New York Sun Newspaper
December 2, 2004
Today's edition of the New York Sun newspaper has a lengthy article at page 15 about The Richmond Hill Historical Society. Here is an excerpt:

The article gives a brief history of Richmond Hill and Kew Gardens and discusses the Society's mission to help homeowners protect and restore the community's old Victorian homes. There are comments from Society president Nancy Cataldi and members Ivan Mrakovcic, Thereza Rodriguez and Lourdes Marzan.

To read the full article online, click here (subscription required). The link will open in a new window. Close out the window to return here.


Rezoning
December 2, 2004
For the latest on the drive to downzone Richmond Hill and Kew Gardens, click here. The link will open in a new window. Close out the window to return here.


Richmond Hill History - Andrew J. Riis
November 18, 2004
Local historian Ron Marzlock has an article in the November 18th edition of The Queens Chronicle about contractor Andrew Riis who built many homes in Richmond Hill during the very early years of the 20th century. You can read the article by clicking here. The link will open in a new window. Close out the window to return here.


Rezoning
November 18, 2004
For the latest on the drive to rezone Queens County, click here. The link will open in a new window. Close out the window to return here.


Spirits Alive
October 23, 2004
View a slideshow of the Spirits Alive performances given at Maple Grove Cemetery where friends and members of the Richmond Hill Historical Society portrayed some of the interesting people buried there. You'll wish you'd met them a whole lot sooner. The slideshow will open in a new window. Close that window out to return here.


National Register of Historic Places
October 1, 2004
Thanks to Richmond Hill Historical Society president, Nancy Cataldi, and local historian, Carl Ballenas, for their singular efforts in getting Maple Grove Cemetery added to the National Park Service's Register of Historic Places. Nancy also had a hand in getting the Forest Park Carousel added too.


Celebrating the Living Spirit
May 23, 2004
View a slideshow of the walking tour given at Maple Grove Cemetery where students from Immaculate Conception School in Jamaica Estates portrayed some of the interesting people buried at Maple Grove. The link will open in a new window. Close out the window to return here.

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