Slice of History: The Intersection of Banking, Ballet, and School: Greenburgh's Warburg Estate (Updated)
Update: Last night's accident----
I reported last night that there was a horrible accident on Lawton and Central Ave. The 14 year old is critical but stable. The 11 year old is stable. Both children admitted to WC Medical Center. The accident occurred on Central Park Ave by Sacred Heart Church. We all hope and pray for a total recovery for both victims and will look for additional ways to address pedestrian safety here and all over the town. Central Ave is a NYS road so any traffic improvements on Central would have to be approved by the state.. Some residents have written to me asking for a traffic light at this location. I have responded by e mailing the state DOT and will ask the police to also review the suggestion. The town just completed the construction of a new sidewalk on Lawton from Central Ave to Columbia Ave a few weeks ago. Will keep you informed.
PAUL FEINER
The Intersection of Banking, Ballet, and School: Greenburgh’s Warburg Estate (Updated)
Why an update is necessary:
In the course of our thirty one articles, we have used a variety of sources including: internet websites, books, documents from the Westchester Historical Society, and occasionally newspapers. We always act in good faith that our sources are accurate. However, sometimes they are wrong. Therefore, not everything we write is 100% accurate. The original article we wrote on January 18th 2019 is wrong because the Warburg Estate wasn’t donated to Greenburgh by Mrs. Paul Warburg but rather by Mrs. Frieda Schiff Warburg, widow of Felix M. Warburg also, it was donated in 1956 not 1938. The incorrect information we used comes from an article in the New York Times, usually a reliable source. In this case however, this particular article we used from the New York Times was very wrong. We did not realize this however until after we received feedback from our readers. The authors always gratefully welcome all feedback from our readers, both positive and negative. It is through our feedback that we improve. For instance it was through feedback from Mrs. Elizabeth Weinberg (Former District Clerk for Greenburgh Central 7 School District) and Mrs. Ivy Kraus (the current District Clerk for Greenburgh Central 7 School District)that we learned that the Warburg Estate wasn’t donated to Greenburgh by Mrs. Paul Warburg as the New York Times claimed but rather by Mrs. Frieda Schiff Warburg, widow of Felix M. Warburg and that it was donated in 1956 not 1938.
We are sure that the New York Times is wrong this time, because, the claims of Mrs. Weinberg and Mrs. Kraus are supported by a letter written in Frieda Schiff Warburg’s own hand and signed and dated by her.
The letter is below:
Today, Woodlands Middle/High School’s administration building is located on 475 West Hartsdale Avenue. However this building was once a mansion containing thirty- five rooms. From 1902-1937, this building and eighty acres surrounding it belonged to Kuhn, Loeb & Co partner Felix M. Warburg and his wife Frieda Schiff Warburg. Mr. Warburg passed away in 1937 at 66 years of age (https://www.jta.org/1937/10/21/archive/felix-m-warburg-dead-at-66). His very wealthy and community-minded widow donated the estate and the land to Union Free School District # 8 in Greenburgh, in 1956 (Personal Communication in a letter from Frieda Schiff Warburg to Union Free School District #8 on July 27th 1956).
Frieda Schiff Warburg (1876-1958)
Frieda Schiff Warburg was born on February 3, 1876 in New York City. While she herself had no occupation, after marrying her husband in 1895, she became a very active philanthropist, donating to numerous causes and organizations throughout The New York City metropolitan area. She passed away on September 14, 1958 (https://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/Warburg-Frieda-Schiff).
Frieda Schiff Warburg | Jewish Women's Archive jwa.org Warburg began her philanthropic work after her marriage as a director of the Brightside Day Nursery. In 1911, she became a director of the Young Women’s Hebrew Association (YWHA) and later its president (1929–1942). |
In 1934, the estate made history as the place which held the premiere performance of George Balanchine’s ''Serenade'' (http://www.greenburghny.com/Cit-e-Access/news/?TID=10&NID=2147).
George Balanchine (1904-1983)
For those unfamiliar with the name, George Balanchine, he was one of the most influential dancers and choreographers of the twentieth century, and is acknowledged as the founder of American Ballet. He was born in Saint Petersburg, Russia in 1904. He was educated in dance at Imperial Ballet Academy and studied composition at the Saint Petersburg Conservatory (Microsoft Encarta 1993-2003). He moved to the United States in 1933. From 1933, until his death, he lived in New York City (http://www.greenburghny.com/Cit-e-Access/news/?TID=10&NID=2147). He died in 1983 (Microsoft Encarta 1993-2003).
He is best known for the following ballets:
• “The Four Temperaments” (1946)
• “The Nutcracker” (1954)
• “Don Quixote” (1965)
• “Jewels” (1967)
(Microsoft Encarta 1993-2003)
Previous Slices of History include:
1. Greenburgh’s BROTHERLY LOVE, RELIEF AND TRUTH: A History of The Freemasons in Greenburgh (9/12/18) https://www.greenburghny.com/DocumentCenter/View/5658/BROTHERLY-LOVE-RELIEF-AND-TRUTH--in-Greenburgh
2. Greenburgh and The Arts (9/22/18) https://www.greenburghny.com/DocumentCenter/View/5665/Greenburgh-AND-The--ARTS
3. A Final Resting Place for “Man’s Best Friend”: The Peaceable Kingdom (9/29/18) https://www.greenburghny.com/DocumentCenter/View/5653/A-Final-Resting-Place--for-Mans-Best-Friend
4. Greenburgh’s Hall of Heroes: Ferncliff Cemetery Where Memories Live Forever (10/12/18)https://www.greenburghny.com/DocumentCenter/View/5667/Greenburgh-Hall-of-Heroes
5. Greenburgh at The Great American Crossroads: Greenburgh's Civil War Story(10/19/18) https://www.greenburghny.com/DocumentCenter/View/5666/Greenburgh-at-The-Great-American-Crossroad
6. A Different Kind of Rebel: Greenburgh’s Contributions to the Underground Railroad (10/27/18) https://www.greenburghny.com/DocumentCenter/View/5680/A-Different-Kind-of-of-Rebel--Greenburghs-contributions-to-The-Underground-Railroad
7. "The Disappearing Railroad Blues" in Greenburgh: The Fate of the Putnam Railroad Line and the old Putnam Trail (11/6/18) https://www.greenburghny.com/DocumentCenter/View/5675/The-Disappearing-Railroad-Blues-in-Greenburgh
8. A Thousand Words Which You Never Knew: The Forgotten Story of the Seal of Greenburgh (11/17/18) https://www.greenburghny.com/DocumentCenter/View/5651/A--Thousand-Words-Which-You-Never-Knew-The-Forgotten-Story-of-The-Seal-of-Greenburgh
9. How a Flat Tire led to a Happy Escape: The Story of Carvel in Greenburgh (12/11/18) https://www.greenburghny.com/DocumentCenter/View/5670/How-a-Flat-Tire-led-to-a-Happy-Escape
10. The Guardians of History: Greenburgh’s Historical Societies (1/6/19) https://www.greenburghny.com/DocumentCenter/View/5676/The-Guardians-of--History
11. A Small House, an Important Meeting, a Huge Victory: The Story of the Odell House (1/12/2019) https://www.greenburghny.com/DocumentCenter/View/5654/A-Small-House--an-Important-Meeting--A-Huge-Victory
12. The Intersection of Banking, Ballet, and School: Greenburgh’s Warburg Estate (1/18/19) https://www.greenburghny.com/DocumentCenter/View/5677/The-Intersection-of-Banking--Ballet--and-School
13. Lost History: The Tragedy of Malkasten (1/26/19) https://www.greenburghny.com/DocumentCenter/View/5673/Lost-History--The-Tragedy-of-Malkasten
14. A Beautiful View for the Perfect Event: The Belvedere Estate (2/9/19) https://www.greenburghny.com/DocumentCenter/View/5652/A-Beautiful-View-for-The-Perfect-Event--Belvedere-Estate
15. The Power of Wealth and Humility: A Reflection on Two Highly Influential African Americans (2/18/19) https://www.greenburghny.com/DocumentCenter/View/5679/Wealth-and-Humility
16. Greenburgh Under the Hollywood Lights: The TV shows and movies Filmed in Greenburgh Part I (2/23/19) https://www.greenburghny.com/DocumentCenter/View/5668/Greenburgh-under-Hollywood-Lights-Part-I
17. Oh, The Places Your Mail has Gone: A History of The Hartsdale Post Office (3/9/2019) https://www.greenburghny.com/DocumentCenter/View/5674/Oh-The-Places-Your-Mail-has-Gone
18. From Insurance to Symphonies: The Home of Charles Ives (3/16/19) https://www.greenburghny.com/DocumentCenter/View/5664/From-Insurance-to-Symphonies--The-Home-of-Charles-Ives
19. Greenburgh Under the Hollywood Lights: The TV shows and Movies Filmed in Greenburgh Part II (3/29/19) https://www.greenburghny.com/DocumentCenter/View/5669/Greenburgh-Under-the-Hollywood-Lights-The-TV-shows-and-movies-Filmed-in-Greenburgh-Part-II
20. From Chasing Rabbits to Setting Records: The Amazing Story of Larry James (4/7/2019) https://www.greenburghny.com/DocumentCenter/View/5661/From-Chasing-Rabbits-to-Setting-Records
21. From Fixing Cars to building Infrastructure: How Massaro Park Got its name (4/13/2019) https://www.greenburghny.com/DocumentCenter/View/5663/From-Fixing-Cars-to-Building-Infrastructure-How--Massaro-Park-Got-Its-Name
22. There is no church here, but “the brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated” this ground: The Story of The Little White Church Cemetery (4/27/19) https://www.greenburghny.com/DocumentCenter/View/5678/There-is-no-church-here-but-the-brave-men-living-and-dead-who-struggled-here-have-consecrated-this-ground
23. Irvington in Chains and our Process A History of Slavery in Irvington and A look at how Slices of History are made (and our interview with historian Robert Marchant) (5/11/2019) https://www.greenburghny.com/DocumentCenter/View/5671/Irvington-in-Chains
24. From Farmland to Shopping District: The Rise of Central Avenue (5/25/2019) https://www.greenburghny.com/DocumentCenter/View/5662/From-Farmland-to-Shopping-District-The-Rise-of-Central-Avenue
25. Like a long lost friend”: The story of how summer recreation has evolved in Greenburgh (6/7/2019) https://www.greenburghny.com/DocumentCenter/View/5672/like-a-long-lost-friend
26. Abandon Ship!!! The Story of United Nuclear Corporation and their Short-lived Elmsford Facility (6/28/19) https://www.greenburghny.com/DocumentCenter/View/5656/Abandon-Ship
27. Beyond Heritage Versus Hate Toward Hope and Reconciliation: The story of Mount Hope Cemetery and its Confederate Monument (7/13/19) https://www.greenburghny.com/DocumentCenter/View/5657/Beyond-Heritage-Versus-Hate-Toward-Hope-and-Reconciliation---The-story-of-Mount-Hope-Cemetery-and-its-Confederate-Monument
28. Hidden History: The Story of Fairview Fairgrounds Part I (7/27/19) https://www.greenburghny.com/DocumentCenter/View/5660/fairgrounds
29. Entertainers for Justice (8/3/2019) https://www.greenburghny.com/DocumentCenter/View/5659/Entertainers-for-Justice
30. A Tale of Two Towns: Greenburgh, NY, and Muncy, PA (8/23/ 2019) https://www.greenburghny.com/DocumentCenter/View/5655/A-Tale-of-Two-Towns--Greenburgh-NY-and-Muncy-PA
31. 6,532 yards /19 holes / 6,532 yards /19 holes / how do you measure a golf course?”: Historic Knollwood Country Club (8/28/19) https://www.greenburghny.com/DocumentCenter/View/5733/6532-yards--19-holes--how-do-you-measure-a-golf-course
32. When Greenburgh Went “East Bound and Down” Greenburgh During Prohibition (10/5/19) https://www.greenburghny.com/DocumentCenter/View/5992/When-Greenburgh-Went-East-Bound-and-Down-Greenburgh-During-Prohibition
About the Authors:
We are both Assistant Town Historians at Greenburgh Town Hall and we are engaged to be married and are currently looking for permanent employment.
Riley Wentzler:
I was born and raised in a small rural town in central Pennsylvania. In high school, I took every honors course available including four years of Spanish. I received A’s in all of them. I graduated third in my class of 146 students. This brought me to Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. Once there, I continued my trend of academic excellence. I graduated summa cum laude in Political Science with a minor in Spanish and a Master’s in Communication Studies, with a G.P.A of 3.94. It was also there that I met my lovely fiancée, Felicia Barber. My Master’s in Communication has promoted public speaking, teamwork, and customer service. My Political Science degree has developed my research skills using computer-based tools and provided me with experience using the Microsoft Office products. My minor in Spanish has facilitated my bilingual capabilities. During my internship at Greenburgh, I created the petition for the State Roads project using website tools. My diverse education and areas of interest have provided me with a wide range of skills. I look forward to finding a career opportunity in business or government. To suggest a topic for next week’s article, you can contact me at assistanthistorian@greenburghny.com, or to help me find employment, you can contact me at rjwentzler413@gmail.com
Felicia Barber:
I was born in New York City and raised in Hartsdale, New York. I graduated from Ardsley High School. I recently earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Graphic Design at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. It was here that I met my fiancé, Riley Wentzler. As a result of my academic excellence, I won a scholarship every year. I learned and applied many graphic design skills to projects during my summer internships and at school. I am proficient in using Adobe graphic design applications including Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. For my Identity/branding course at Edinboro, I created logos to appear on the tee-shirts of Physical Education majors. For a veteran’s upcoming event, I used a typeface to focus the reader to the soldier in the poster. For the State Roads Legislative Campaign project, I created the embedded graphic-photo that accompanied the petition I am looking for a job to utilize my skills as a Graphic Designer in an agency, print shop, company or government To suggest a topic for next week’s article, you can contact me at assistanthistorian@greenburghny.com. To learn more about my artwork or to help me find employment you can contact me at feliciadbarber@gmail.com.
Two Interviews with the authors:
https://riverjournalonline.com/around-town/a-love-of-history-and-each-other/13708/
https://wcbs880.radio.com/articles/news/stories-main-street-couple-cerebral-palsy-brings-manytalents-town-greenburgh
References
Bettmann. (1966, December 17). Getty Images . Hartsdale, New York, United States of America
Jewish Telegraph Agency. (2019, (NOT KNOWN) (NOT KNOWN)). Archive . Retrieved from Jewish Telegraph Agency-EST1917: https://www.jta.org/1937/10/21/archive/felix-m-warburg-dead-at-66
Micorsoft Corporation . (1993-2003, (Not Given) (Not Given)). Micorsoft Encarta . Redmond , Washington, United States of America.
Millier, J. (2019, (Not Given) (Not Given)). Frieda Schiff Warburg. Retrieved from Jewish Women's Archive : https://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/Warburg-Frieda-Schiff
Town of Greenburgh. (2014, (Not Given) (Not Given)). BALANCHINE CENTENNIAL AT WARBURG ESTATE ON 4/17 . Retrieved from Town of Greenburgh NY: http://www.greenburghny.com/Cit-e-Access/news/?TID=10&NID=2147