Robert Brum For The Journal News On a recent March morning, Roland Reisley looked out from the terrace of his home in the Usonia Historic District and recalled the summer day in 1950 when he and his wife, Ronny, chose the rocky hillside to put down roots. The Reisleys were lured from their tiny ManhattanContinue reading “Frank Lloyd Wright’s last original owner talks about his home in Usonia”
Author Archives: Robert Brum
Tour Rockefeller’s greenhouse, now a major cultural arts destination
John D. Rockefeller’s wealth and holdings are almost unimaginable, stretching for hundreds of acres and dozens of homes throughout Westchester. Take, for instance, his former greenhouse where he grew ornamental oranges, which has undergone quite a transformation, thanks to money from the family. https://www.lohud.com/story/news/local/westchester/mount-pleasant/2024/02/21/david-rockefeller-creative-arts-center-mount-pleasant-ny-reimagines-grandfathers-orangerie/72522226007
Think you’ve got a big record collection? Think again
Imagine if you had three million LPs, 45s, 78s, cassettes and CDs representing about 100 million songs. Not to mention more than three million photos, videos, DVDs, books, magazines, sheet music and memorabilia. And then you found out you had to move. Here’s my latest article on the “Noah’s Ark” of record collections … https://www.lohud.com/story/news/local/2024/02/12/staatsburg-ny-archive-of-contemporary-music-relocating-collection/72353782007
Abercrombie & Fitch founder’s ruined castle’s tragic history
The adventurer and clothier barely lived long enough to enjoy the summer retreat the modeled after a Scottish castle. And he lost a daughter at his nearby factory. Here’s the backstory: https://www.lohud.com/story/news/local/westchester/new-castle/2024/02/08/abercrombie-and-fitch-founders-castle-up-for-sale-in-westchester-ny/72508993007
‘She didn’t kill him. She wasn’t guilty’
So many unanswered questions in the wake of Helen Ray Fowler’s execution at Sing Sing. A curious local historian seeks to answer them in a new play being staged just miles from where she died in the prison’s infamous electric chair. Here’s the backstory plus a preview of the two-act drama …
Talk Show Queen Relinquishes Her Castle
For years this tart-tongued tabloid talk-show host ruled the airwaves. But alas, her castle has become too much of a burden. This kingdom awaits a new royal family, for a mere $6.5 million. https://www.lohud.com/story/money/real-estate/living-here/2023/11/29/sally-jessy-raphael-mansion-hudson-valley-ny-real-estate-on-the-market/71739052007/
He’s worked with Mother Teresa, the Dalai Lama and E. Jean Carrol
He’s taught at Rockland Community College for more than a half-century, published books with some of the world’s most respected thinkers, produced albums by blues, jazz, pop stars and poets. He’s a behind-the-scenes guy worthy of some attention. Oh, did I mention I had him as my professor and advisor? Meet Richard Connolly, my longtimeContinue reading “He’s worked with Mother Teresa, the Dalai Lama and E. Jean Carrol”
When Babe Ruth Was Behind Bars
Sing Sing prison in Ossining has seen a lot of history. But nothing like the autumn day in 1929 when Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and the Yankees got into a ballyard brawl with the inmates. Guess who won? Here’s a link to the article:
Dylan’s first manager: Bob was ‘too freaky’ to be hired
She was Bob Dylan’s first manager. She married the folk singer who was in the inspiration for “Inside Llewyn Davis.” And she was witness to and participated in shakeups that rattled society’s foundations. In the late 1950s and early 60s, Greenwich Village was the epicenter of a folk music revival amid a surge in politicalContinue reading “Dylan’s first manager: Bob was ‘too freaky’ to be hired”
Afghan refugee’s story of loss and longing
Almost exactly two years ago, Abdullah anxiously waited in Kabul for his pregnant wife to arrive so they could flee the Taliban on a jampacked military flight. Abdullah told me the story recently at Congregation Sons of Israel in Briarcliff Manor, whose volunteers helped his family settle in Westchester. Click below to read my interview:
Robert Brum 