Library Green                                                                                                                                                   Lawton Street, New Rochelle, NY 10801

The oscar-nominated actress, poet, playwright, and civil rights activist, Ruby Dee died June 11, 2014 at her home in New Rochelle. Her Broadway career started in 1943 where she also met her true love and life partner, Ossie David in a 1946 Broadway play.

   “The New Rochelle Public Library Theatre and Library Green were named for Ossie Davis in 2005 and the renaming of Library Green for Ruby Dee is anticipated for spring 2015.” (http://patch.com/new-york/newrochelle/ruby-dee-park-library-green-dedicated-new-rochelle)

These two began their journey and making their mark by appearing in many films and plays until Davis death in 2005. They were known as the “power couple” of their time, both committed to social justice as to the performing arts community. Among Davis and Dee’s most-notable joint stage appearances were those in A Raisin in the Sun (1959) and Spike Lee‘s Do the Right Thing (1989) and Jungle Fever (1991).

However, Dee was widely known for her own accomplishments and appeared in numerous projects without Davis. In fact, Dee has contributed over 70 films for which she is famously known. One of her best known films was A Raisin in the Sun reconducted in 1961. She became the first African American woman to play leading roles at the American Shakespeare Festival, in 1965 to as well starring in leading roles on soap operas in the 1960’s. She also went on to winning an Emmy for her 1990’s performance in “Decoration Day.” She received her first Academy Award nomination for best supporting actress in 2008 for her work in “American Gangster.” Dee was obviously a phenomenal women of her 70 plus year career; she received numerous awards for her stage and screen performances and became a voice to many young women.

So to honor her legacy Library Green will now be known as “The Ruby Dee Park at Library Green”

I have always loved everything about this wonderful lady. Meeting her would have meant the world to me. Although, I am struck by her lost, I’m glad to come to such a beautiful park to commemorate her legacy. I’m just so happy to see people come out, celebrate, and keep her legacy at the forefront of the community. just to image that this park is right across the library that I’m a member (although I live in the Bronx/ better books here). And, this is a place people can enjoy the beauty of history by a simple walk in the park enliven by the hall of fame.  This one of New Rochelle’s great public spaces.

It was the New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson and a commemoration committee idea to rename the park in Ruby Dee’s name. Mayor Bramson stated, “Library Green park represents so much of what Ruby Dee held dear- beautiful gardens, a space welcoming of all ages and ethnicities, and a platform for arts and culture- not to mention our historic Walk of Fame. It is a fitting location for a tribute.”

She didn’t only play outspoken movie roles that touched many of our hearts, but she also acted out on social justice issues in America, fighting for many African American rights as citizen. We have Ruby Dee to thank for being one of the advocates who’ve broken through the racial barriers on Broadway, and Television.

“We are artists also, and workers above all. We are image-makers. Why can’t we image-makers become peacemakers too?  – Ruby Dee

Van Cortlandt Park East,                                                                                                                               Bronx, NY 10470                                                                                                                                             Indian Field

“This tract of land honors Chief Abraham Ninham and the 17 Mohican Indians who died here during a mission to aid the Americans in the Revolutionary War.”

Van Cortlandt Park is one of my favorite places to run in New York. I love jogging through this exquisitely beautiful woodlands each morning. It’s New York City’s fourth largest park and has the largest freshwater lake in the Bronx.  I’m definitely more of a lake gal; the lake plays a major role in my life. However, after going here for so long, it didn’t occur to me till now that this park is a historic landmark.

Before, I ever enjoyed the solitude and beauty of this private woodlood such as hiking, biking, fishing, wildlife viewing, and picnicking, Weckquaesgee Indians.lived in the Van Cortlandt Park area and hunted the forested upland, fished in its wooded swamps and enjoyed this serenity before anyone else. They were the first known original  inhabitants.

After Van der Donck death, the land changed hands several times until 1694, when Jacobus Van Cortlandt (of what is now Van Cortlandt Park) purchased it. In 1888, the City of New York took title to Van Cortlandt Park.

At the outbreak of the revolutionary war in 1778, Chief Abraham Ninham and 17 Mohicans from Stockbridge, Massachusetts, were killed or captured for the defense of American liberty. This park serves as a reminder of the attack on Stockbridge Indians by the Hessian mercenaries (British forces). “The clash was the only revolutionary battle to occur entirely within the bounds of today’s Van Cortlandt Park.”  (http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/VanCortlandtPark/highlights/11610)

Van CortlantPark Lake (although not located on the Indian Field)

Robert R. Livingston                                                                                                                                         Born 1746 — Died at Albany, March 26, 1813

This statue is located in the courtroom of the New York Court of Appeals in Albany and placed there by the bar of the State.

In his right hand, he holds a scroll containing the procedure of the Court of Chancery which he remolded as the Court of Equity.

Robert R. Livingston was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and the first chancellor/Judge of the State of New York in 1777, when the first New York Constitution was adopted.

“Chancellor n. from the old English legal system, a chancellor is a judge who sits in what is called a chancery (equity) court with the power to order something be done.”                                                         (http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Chancellor)

 This was the highest judicial position in the state of these times. He was also known as one of the greatest lawyers of the revolutionary era. He helped formulate the Court of Appeals in New York when the old Court of Errors abolished in 1846.

His most important contribution during this period was when he administered the oath of office to President Washington April 30, 1789 and his involvement on the committee that drafted the Declaration of Independence with Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson. However, at the time of signing the Declaration of Independence, he was elsewhere working on New York City’s constitution and forming its committee.

Robert R. Livingston was one of the most prominent revolutionary leader and statesmen of his day. He led an honorable life. I respect his drive for independence for all our nation; He was the first confederation secretary for foreign affairs and played a major role regarding peace with Great Britain. He was a man of liberal principles of equal liberty.  He has earned his position of honor.