Chapel Farm records
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Abstract
Chapel Farm is located in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. The area is a dense forest. This collection mostly contains the records of the efforts to save it from real estate developers from 1991-2003. The types of materials included in this collection are correspondence, maps, reports, appraisals, clippings, books, and legal documents.
Historical Note
Chapel Farm is located in the Riverdale section of the Bronx, New York. The area is not actually a farm, but a forest. The property was originally a religious retreat built by the Griscom family, the founders of the Theosophical Society. Ludlow Griscom was the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Audubon Society for many years. In 1969 Chapel Farm was bought by Manhattan College to build dormitories, but used it as an environmental research station. Due to declining enrollment, Manhattan College started seeking a buyer. Over the next three decades many development plans were put forth, but never went through. One deal did proceed and the College sold five acres at the northern end of Chapel Farm to SGD Corporation. This sale included the lease of the "mansion", which is a house built by the Griscom family, for 99 years and a 99 year renewal. The current owner of Chapel Farm is Villanova Estates, a corporation owned by John Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald planned to build thirteen home sites in the Chapel Farm area. Local residents and politicians opposed the development of Chapel Farm including access/roads, blasting, drainage, tree removal, and erosion control. Fitzgerald eventually started building the homes in 2005.
Arrangement
This collection is organized in four series. Within each series the materials are arranged chronologically.
Series I: Chapel Farm Real Estate Development, 1911-2005
Series II: John Fitzgerald / Chapel Farm Estates, Inc. / Villanova Estates, 1984-2003
Series III: Opposition to Development, 1984-2002
Series IV: Environmental Material Not About Chapel Farm, 1923-2001
Scope and Content Note
The records of Chapel Farm mainly consist of records to fight the development of the area by John Fitzgerald. There are limited records of previous fights against development. The issues covered in these papers include tree removal, erosion control, access/roads, blasting, and construction progress. The types of materials included in this collection are correspondence, maps, survey maps, environmental information, reports, statements of individuals and community groups, and legal information. Also included are two books, one about New York birds written by Ludlow Griscom and another about Ludlow Griscom. There is a gap in information from 1927 to 1955; the materials from 1911 to 1927 are maps and one book.
Materials added to the collection in 2008 are predominantly from Hilary Kitasei and Barbara Michael, and many are annotated in pencil in Ms. Michael's hand.
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Access Restrictions
Materials in this collection may be stored offsite. For more information on making arrangements to consult them, please visit www.nyhistory.org/library/visit.
Use Restrictions
Taking images of documents from the library collections for reference purposes by using hand-held cameras and in accordance with the library's photography guidelines is encouraged. As an alternative, patrons may request up to 20 images per day from staff.
Application to use images from this collection for publication should be made in writing to: Department of Rights and Reproductions, The New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park West, New York, NY 10024-5194, rightsandrepro@nyhistory.org. Phone: (212) 873-3400 ext. 282.
Copyrights and other proprietary rights may subsist in individuals and entities other than the New-York Historical Society, in which case the patron is responsible for securing permission from those parties. For fuller information about rights and reproductions from N-YHS visit: https://www.nyhistory.org/about/rights-reproductions
Preferred Citation
This collection should be cited as Chapel Farm Records, MS 108, The New-York Historical Society.
Location of Materials
About this Guide
Edition of this Guide
Repository
Series I: Chapel Farm Real Estate Development, 1911-2005
Scope and Contents note
This series contains material relating to the history of Chapel Farm and the real estate development projects that have been attempted over the years. Most pertain to the battle with John Fitzgerald. The types of materials included are correspondence, pamphlets, notes, legal information, reports, clippings, maps, and survey maps.
History, 1955, 1959, 1998, 2002, undated
Background information on environment of Chapel Farm, [2002], undated
Legal Documents: sale of lot, Land Trust, Environmental Control Board, and others, 1959, 1990, 2001-2002, undated
CEQR Environmental Assessment Statement, 2000
Lists of donors, potential donors, residents, Undated
Maps of Chapel Farm and surrounding area, 1911, 1927, 2000-2001, undated
Survey maps of Chapel Farm, 1999
Lot maps, property and construction photos (2008 donation), 2004-2008
Correspondence to and from Riverdale residents regarding Chapel Farm, 1977-2005
Newspaper clippings, 1969-2005, undated
Newspaper clippings (2008 donation), 1997, 2001-2007
Notes, Undated
Series II: John Fitzgerald / Chapel Farm Estates, Inc. / Villanova Estates, 1984-2003
Scope and Contents note
This series contains materials from and to John Fitzgerald and his associates. The types of materials included are correspondence, leases, statements of findings, reports, maps, and plans.
Correspondence, 1984-2003, undated
Legal and planning materials, 1986-2001, undated
Series III: Opposition to Development, 1984-2002
Scope and Contents note
The materials included in this series are organized into two subseries: community (Subseries 1) and city and state organizations (Subseries 2) opposed to the development of Chapel Farm. The types of materials included are correspondence, reports, newsletters, statements, agendas, statements of opposition, calendars, publications, conservation plans, and a map.
Subseries 1: Community Organizations
Scope and Contents note
The materials included in the subseries are from community organizations opposed to the real estate development of Chapel Farm. The types of materials included are correspondence, reports, newsletters, statements, and a map.
Fieldston Property Owners Association, 1984-2001, undated
Fieldston Property Owners Association, 2001, 2003
Fieldston Road Homeowners, 2000-2001, undated
Riverdale Nature Preservancy, 1991-2002, undated
Riverdale Nature Preservancy, Chapel Farm Task Force, 2001-2003
Community Board No. 2, 1985-2001
Trust for Public Land, 2003
Environmental organizations, 1995-2001
Environmental organizations, 2001-2002, undated
Riverdale Community Association, Wave Hill, Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services, Inc., 2001
Subseries 2: New York City and New York State Organizations
Scope and Contents note
The materials included in the subseries are from state and city organizations, most of which were opposed to developing Chapel Farm into real estate. The materials include correspondence, agendas, statements of opposition, calendars, publications, lists, and conservation plans.
Bronx Borough President, 2001, 2003
New York City Planning Commission, 2001
Parks Council, 1983-2002, Undated
New York City Council, 2001
New York State information, 2001-2002, Undated
Series IV: Environmental Material Not About Chapel Farm, 1923-2001
Scope and Contents note
This series includes environmental information pertaining not to Chapel Farm but to areas that are similar. Also included are two books, one about Ludlow Griscom and one written by him. The types of materials included are diagrams, birding information, flyers, brochures, photos, and plans.