In 1952, when Mayor John Riegel issued a proclamation to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Briarcliff Manor’s incorporation, a committee was formed to plan and operate an appropriate three-day celebration. It was their idea to collect the first permanent record of local history, which was published as “Our Village: Briarcliff Manor 1902 to 1952.”

The 2007-08 Society Officers and Board -- minus Joyce Kiley -- gather at the home of Elizabeth O'Leary for a monthly meeting.

In 1974, to celebrate the 75th Anniversary, another committee was formed to create a more expanded celebration. This committee of 12 involved and enthusiastic residents met on April 10, 1974, for the express purpose of forming an official historical society. The Briarcliff Manor/Scarborough Historical Society became a reality just two months later. The second village history, “A Village Between Two Rivers: Briarcliff Manor” –- spearheaded by the same group of devoted citizens-- was published in 1977.

The Society’s first headquarters was in The Briarcliff Middle School section of the old High School. It was subsequently moved to the second floor of Weber-Tufts Realty on Pleasantville Road. When the old Middle School was turned over to Pace University, the Society moved into a large classroom provided by the university.

In 1997, when the these former school buildings were razed to make way for senior citizen housing, the Society’s collections and files were put into storage. They remain there to this day. Even without an official home, the Society has continued its devotion to documenting and communicating the history of Briarcliff Manor and Scarborough throughout these many years.

A larger, more detailed area history, “The Changing Landscape” by Mary Cheever was published in 1990, and is still in print today. The Society has also provided a number of special events over the years and was active in helping organize and run several of the events during the village’s 2002 Bicentennial Year Celebration.

Over the years, Society-sponsored events have included historical tours of homes and churches, yearly bus tours

Over the years, a wide variety of Society events has included cruises on the Hudson using historically notable boats like the Commander, built in 1917 and listed on both National and State Registers of Historic Places

of the community, cruises on the Hudson, square dances and formal dances, antique car exhibits, day trips to historic points of interest such as Ellis Island, galas to celebrate the contribution of local citizens, art exhibits and special events with well-known authors and political figures, to name a few. One of the most exciting recent events was the October 2008 Centennial Celebration of the 1908 Briarcliff Road Race, in cooperation with the Ossining Historical Society and the Village.

Eileen Weber -- Miss Briarcliff -- here with former Mayor Keith Austin, is feted at the Society's 2006 Gala in her honor at Ashridge Estate in Scarborough

Even without a permanent or visible museum or home base, the Society has survived and continues to be a dedicated collector, preserver and disseminator of local history. This, in large part, is due to the generosity and faithful support of our members and the community at large. For this, we are most thankful. Plans are currently under way to occupy part of the basement of the newly expanded Village library in 2009. We have every expectation that this new home will become a reality.

Three of the original members of the Society are on our board today: Bill Sharman, Tom Vincent and Eileen Weber. Continuity is important in everything, and particularly throughout our history. They help provide it. If you’re interested in our history and would like to consider board membership, we’d be happy to meet with you and talk about it.

We’re delighted so many members have joined the Society, and issue an open invitation herewith for all residents to join us as we write the next chapter in the grand history of this wonderful village together!