Greater Ridgewood Historical Society

The Vander Ende-Onderdonk House
Home     NEWS!     Visitor Information     Exhibits     Past and Present Events     School Program     Calendar     Staff     Membership     Shop     Contact Us     Site Map      
Exhibit Press Releases     Behind the Scenes      

Press Releases

 

“De Boerderij” Art Exhibit Closing Party and Sale at the Onderdonk House

 

On Saturday, October 13, 2007, from 3:00 to 7:00 PM, the Greater Ridgewood Historical Society will host a closing party and sale of artwork from De Boerderij, its current exhibit of sculpture and paintings assembled by guest curators Brenda Bradley and Mark Mulholland in collaboration with Arthur Kirmss and Ellen Brody-Kirmss of the Onderdonk House.

Titled after the Dutch word for farm, De Boerderij was inspired by agrarian life, and features the work of more than a dozen artists including Diane Apostolacus, Pooja Bakri, Karen Beckhardt, Brenda Bradley, Cindy Gato, Rachel Jacobs, Paul Jacobson, Arthur Kirmss, Niki Lederer, Miranda Lloyd, Bettina Magi, Valessa Monk, Mark Mulholland, Georgina Queruel, Ellen Rand, Farah Salehi, James Saunders, Rosario Varela, Fotini Vurgaropulou, Nancy Ward and Brett Wintle.

According to Ms Bradley, “Many of the participating artists visited the Onderdonk House for the first time during the past year and, like me, were inspired by its charm, history, age and endurance. We decided to extend the exhibit beyond just the interior of the house to include sculpture placed in the garden in celebration of the existence and survival of this oasis of green space and history that has survived in such an unlikely place.”

The Onderdonk House is a New York City Landmark, and is listed on the National and State Registers of Historic Places. Dutch farmers built the house around 1709, and it remained a farmstead through the 1920s. Commercial business took over until the 1970s, when the Greater Ridgewood Historical Society was founded to restore, maintain and operate the Onderdonk House as a historic site and museum.

The Onderdonk House, 1820 Flushing Avenue, Ridgewood, is open to the public on Saturdays, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. or by reservation. Admission to the exhibit is free with a $2.00 suggested donation to the Society that includes a Visitor's Guide.

For information on this and the other programs conducted by the Society, please call 718-456-1776 or visit our Web site: www.onderdonkhouse.org. The Onderdonk House can be reached by public transportation. Bus: Q-54 passes two blocks away on Metropolitan Avenue. B-57 passes the house on Flushing Avenue. Subway: "L" line to Jefferson St. (Brooklyn) stop; proceed five blocks North (right) along Flushing Ave. On street parking is available, plentiful and free.

This event is funded in part from public service grants from the Department of Cultural Affairs, City of New York, and by members of the Society.
 

 

“De Boerderij” Art Exhibit Opening at the Onderdonk House


On Saturday, June 30, 2007, the Greater Ridgewood Historical Society will open De Boerderij, an exhibit of sculpture and paintings assembled by guest curators Brenda Bradley and Mark Mulholland in collaboration with Arthur Kirmss and Ellen Brody-Kirmss of the Onderdonk House.


Titled after the Dutch word for farm, De Boerderij was inspired by agrarian life and features the work of more than a dozen artists including Diane Apostolacus, Pooja Bakri, Karen Beckhardt, Brenda Bradley, Cindy Gato, Rachel Jacobs, Paul Jacobson, Arthur Kirmss, Niki Lederer, Miranda Lloyd, Bettina Magi, Valessa Monk, Mark Mulholland, Georgina Queruel, Ellen Rand, Farah Salehi, Rosario Varela, Fotini Vurgaropulou and Brett Wintle. The opening reception will also be on Saturday, June 30, 2007, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., and the exhibit will continue through September 2007.

According to Ms Bradley, “Many of the participating artists visited the Onderdonk House for the first time during the past year and, like me, were inspired by its charm, history, age and endurance. We decided to extend the exhibit beyond just the interior of the house to include sculpture placed in the garden in celebration of the existence and survival of this oasis of green space and history that has survived in such an unlikely place.”

The Onderdonk House is a New York City Landmark, and is listed on the National and State Registers of Historic Places. Dutch farmers built the house around 1709, and it remained a farmstead through the 1920s. Commercial business took over until the 1970s, when the Greater Ridgewood Historical Society was founded to restore, maintain and operate the Onderdonk House as a historic site and museum.

The Onderdonk House, 1820 Flushing Avenue, Ridgewood, is open to the public on Saturdays, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. or by reservation. Admission to the exhibit is free with a $2.00 suggested donation to the Society that includes a Visitor's Guide.

For information on this and the other programs conducted by the Society, please call 718-456-1776 or visit our Web site: www.onderdonkhouse.org. The Onderdonk House can be reached by public transportation. Bus: Q-54 passes two blocks away on Metropolitan Avenue. B-57 passes the house on Flushing Avenue. Subway: "L" line to Jefferson St. (Brooklyn) stop; proceed five blocks North (right) along Flushing Ave. On street parking is available, plentiful and free.

This event is funded in part from public service grants from the Department of Cultural Affairs, City of New York, and by members of the Society.


 

END


 

 

 

“Just after the Battle” Civil War Exhibit Opens at the Onderdonk House

 

On Saturday, February 17, 2007, the Greater Ridgewood Historical Society will open Just after the Battle, an exhibit of Civil War historic objects curated by Arthur Kirmss and Ellen Brody-Kirmss.  Titled after a Civil War song of 1864, Just after the Battle is a multifaceted exhibit ─ presenting over 250 authentic period relics and artifacts. Included are weapons of the military, battlefield recoveries, domestic and personal items, photographs, Civil War money (North and South), patriotic and fraternal war era mementos, and much more.  The opening reception will also be on Saturday, February 17, 2007, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m., and the exhibit will continue through June 2007.

 

According to Mr. Kirmss, “This exhibit portrays American culture of that era, and the sentiments of that age.  We introduce you to some of the individuals representing the wide variety of ethnic groups and peoples that served to fight in the Civil War and you come to understand their lives through their books, music, pipes, and bottles, as well as official papers and war records.  Just after the Battle is a kaleidoscopic view of the life and times of the military and civilian population, with the things that they used and passed down to our 21st century for us to see, enjoy, and take inspiration from.”

 

The Onderdonk House is a New York City Landmark, and is listed on the National and State Registers of Historic Places . Dutch farmers built the house around 1709, and it remained a farmstead through the 1920s. Commercial business took over until the 1970s, when the Greater Ridgewood Historical Society was founded to restore, maintain and operate the Onderdonk House as a historic site and museum.

 

The Onderdonk House, 1820 Flushing Avenue, Ridgewood, is open to the public on Saturdays, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. or by reservation. Admission to the exhibit is free with a $2.00 suggested donation to the Society that includes a Visitor's Guide.

 

For information on this and the other programs conducted by the Society, please call 718-456-1776 or visit our Web site: www.onderdonkhouse.org. The Onderdonk House can be reached by public transportation. Bus: Q-54 passes two blocks away on Metropolitan Avenue. B-57 passes the house on Flushing Avenue. Subway: "L" line to Jefferson St. (Brooklyn) stop; proceed five blocks North (right) along Flushing Ave. On street parking is available, plentiful and free.

 

These programs are made possible in part by public funding from the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs secured through the efforts of the Queens Borough President, Helen Marshall, the New York City Council, Diana Reyna, and by State Senator Serphin Maltese, Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan, and by members of the Society.

 

END

 

 

 

"Vernederlandsen: An Assimilated Anatomy" Exhibit

 Opens at the Onderdonk House

 

Ridgewood, September 2006 -- On Sunday, October 1, 2006, the Greater Ridgewood Historical Society will open "Vernederlandsen: An Assimilated Anatomy," an exhibit of diorama drawings by artist Denise Martinez.  Martinez explores vernederlandsen, a Dutch concept which takes cultural integration to deeper levels. Using flat surfaces, her three-dimensional works reference historical paintings and integrate anatomical interpretations to examine issues of migration, globalization and cultural assimilation.

 

Martinez began to explore the question, "What is appropriate cultural integration?" more than 20 years ago, when she left New Amsterdam (New York City) and immigrated to "old" Amsterdam in The Netherlands.  She became fluent in the Dutch language, and learned the history and cultural traditions of her adopted home. Despite this, Martinez considers herself one of a growing number in an emerging culture of globalization that ushers in a new dimension of acculturation.

 

The opening reception will also be on Sunday, October 1, 2006, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., and Ms. Martinez will be available to discuss her work. The exhibit was co-curated by Arthur Kirmss and Ellen Brody-Kirmss, and will continue through November 19, 2006.  It is part of a city-wide cultural event called “5 Dutch Days 5 Boroughs” that will take place from November 15-19, 2006.

 

The Onderdonk House is a New York City Landmark, and is listed on the National and State Registers of Historic Places . Dutch farmers built the house around 1709, and it remained a farmstead through the 1920s. Commercial business took over until the 1970s, when the Greater Ridgewood Historical Society was founded to restore, maintain and operate the Onderdonk House as a historic site and museum.

 

The Onderdonk House, 1820 Flushing Avenue, Ridgewood, is open to the public on Saturdays, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. or by reservation. Admission to the exhibit is free with a $2.00 suggested donation to the Society that includes a Visitor's Guide.

 

For information on this and the other programs conducted by the Society, please call 718-456-1776 or visit our Web site: www.onderdonkhouse.org. The Onderdonk House can be reached by public transportation. Bus: Q-54 passes two blocks away on Metropolitan Avenue. B-57 passes the house on Flushing Avenue. Subway: "L" line to Jefferson St. (Brooklyn) stop; proceed five blocks North (right) along Flushing Ave. On street parking is available, plentiful and free.

 

These programs are made possible in part by public funding from the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs secured through the efforts of the Queens Borough President, Helen Marshall, Diana Reyna, and by State Senator Serphin Maltese, Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan, and by members of the Society.

 

END 

 

 

  

"An American Mosaic" Exhibit Celebration at the Onderdonk House

 

On Sunday, June 26, 2005, from 2:00 until 6:00 p.m., the Greater Ridgewood Historical Society will have a celebration for its current exhibit entitled, "An American Mosaic, the Frontier Crafts of Dr. Jake Pontillo." "An American Mosaic" is a colorful collection of objects made by Dr. Pontillo over a thirty year period. The exhibit includes masterful examples of finger weaving, quill, bead and silver work, and antique gun building -- all inspired by his interest in the early American experience.  Dr. Pontillo will be on hand to discuss his work. The exhibit was co-curated by Arthur Kirmss and Ellen Brody Kirmss, and will continue through Summer 2005.

 

Dr. Pontillo's bead and silver work has been acquired by many collectors throughout the Northeast, and Midwest. He is also one of the very few who practice porcupine quill embroidery, an art rarely seen outside of museums. His quillwork has been prized by many 18th Century French and Indian War enthusiasts as well as other collectors. In addition to demonstrating beadwork, quillwork and finger weaving at museums and historic sites, Dr. Pontillo also has lectured on the material culture of the colonial period. He has a BA in Spanish and Education from Fordham University, and a MA and Ph.D. from the State University of New York at Buffalo.

 

The Onderdonk House is a New York City Landmark, and is listed on the National and State Registers of Historic Places . Dutch farmers built the house around 1709, and it remained a farmstead through the 1920s. Commercial business took over until the 1970s, when the Greater Ridgewood Historical Society was founded to restore, maintain and operate the Onderdonk House as a historic site and museum.

 

The Onderdonk House, 1820 Flushing Avenue, Ridgewood, is open to the public on Saturdays, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. or by reservation. Admission to the exhibit is free with a $2.00 suggested donation to the Society that includes a Visitor's Guide.

 

For information on this and the other programs conducted by the Society, please call 718-456-1776 or visit our Web site: www.onderdonkhouse.org. The Onderdonk House can be reached by public transportation. Bus: Q-54 passes two blocks away on Metropolitan Avenue. B-57 passes the house on Flushing Avenue. Subway: "L" line to Jefferson St. (Brooklyn) stop; proceed five blocks North (right) along Flushing Ave. On street parking is available, plentiful and free.

 

These programs are made possible in part by public funding from the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs secured through the efforts of the Queens Borough President, Helen Marshall, Diana Reyna, and by State Senator Serphin Maltese, Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan, and by members of the Society.

 

END