The Annual Meeting of the Friends took place on a sunny Sunday, April 27th at the Irvington Library. It featured the new life of the Keeper’s House. The theme drew a large and enthusiastic audience, members and the general public who have supported the restoration of this National Historic Landmark and have often asked "What’s next ?” The good news that had the audience clapping is the fact that funds are in place for the the restoration and the architectural design work has been approved by State officials. Regional Director Linda Cooper assured the audience that the last step of approval by Albany of the chosen contractor is imminent. FOCA is now looking at the next phase of transforming the house into an informative Visitor and Education center.
Three speakers were introduced by Mavis Cain, FOCA president: Stephen Tilly, architect, who has worked on the project from the start, Bob Kornfeld, architect and Vice President of FOCA who told about his own amazing collection of Aqueduct artifacts were followed by exhibit designer Laurel Marx. Laurel wowed the audience with exciting visuals of state-of-the-art exhibition elements, planned for the main floor of the house, One display idea is the projection of the arch of the Aqueduct tunnel filled with virtual water. A visitor will walk through this arch of water – and emerge dry!
Mavis talked about other pieces of FOCA news: the award winning film, created by L. Brandon Krall, which has been honored by the Greater Hudson Heritage Netwpork and the Westchester Historical Society with a Sy Schulman History award; the Friends idea of offering Badges to those who walk the entire length of the Aqueduct on its trail in Westchester or through the city streets of New York down to the last reservoir at 42nd street. Mavis asked the Park Manager, Gary Ricci to explain the new extension work from Lyndhurst – across Route 9 through to Route 119, an area that has baffled many walkers.
The audience enjoyed a glass of wine, homemade quiche and biscotti while pianist, Myla Kator-Duvally charmed everyone.
